H504: Pilot Co-Responder Police Program. Latest Version

Session: 2025 - 2026

House
Passed 1st Reading


AN ACT to appropriate funds for a pilot program for a co‑responder program.



The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:



SECTION 1.  There is appropriated from the General Fund for each year of the 2025‑2027 fiscal biennium the nonrecurring sum of four hundred seventy-four thousand six hundred eighty dollars ($474,680) to Mecklenburg County to be allocated to the entities and in the amounts listed in this section. The purpose of the funding is a pilot program co‑responder model designed to integrate mental health professionals with law enforcement responding to mental health related calls by people in distress needing assistance. The funds shall be used to hire and integrate within the law enforcement agency of each locality identified below one full‑time mental health professional to be paired with law enforcement, either on a dedicated team or as part of a specialized unit, in responding to calls and incidences identified as involving mental health crises or persons with mental health issues. Funds appropriated in this section are allocated annually as follows for purposes consistent with this act:



(1)        One hundred thirty‑one thousand two hundred eighty dollars ($131,280) to the Town of Matthews.



(2)        One hundred seventy‑one thousand seven hundred dollars ($171,700) to the Town of Pineville.



(3)        One hundred seventy‑one thousand seven hundred dollars ($171,700) to the Town of Mint Hill.



SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2025.