AN ACT to direct the city of wilmington to continue to develop and implement the quick response team pilot project to address unmet needs of opiate overdose victims who are in need of FOLLOW‑UP treatment, counseling, support, and other recovery services.

Whereas, since the implementation of the Quick Response Team Pilot Project, there has been an immediate increase in the Wilmington area of opioid overdose survivors agreeing to follow‑up treatment for their drug use; and

Whereas, the Quick Response Team Pilot Project had funding for the 2018‑2019 and 2019‑2020 fiscal years, but not for the 2020‑2021 fiscal year; and

Whereas, the funding for the 2020‑2021 fiscal year was included in the 2019 Appropriations Act, however, that Act was vetoed and the funds were not received by the Quick Response Team Pilot Project; and

Whereas, the Quick Response Team Pilot Project was able to continue during the 2020‑2021 fiscal year with the assistance of various local one‑time funding contributions and had continued success with opioid overdose survivors agreeing to continued treatment for their drug use; and

Whereas, the ability to gather three years of data related to the Quick Response Team Pilot Project would be helpful in justifying a request that the Quick Response Team Pilot Project continue as a permanent program with recurring funding; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Pilot Project. – The Department of Public Safety, in conjunction with the City of Wilmington, shall continue to develop and implement the pilot project known as the Quick Response Team (QRT) to address the needs of opiate and heroin overdose victims who are not getting follow‑up treatment.

SECTION 2.  Report. – The Department of Public Safety and the City of Wilmington shall report on the results of the QRT Pilot Project to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety of the 2023 Regular Session of the General Assembly upon its reconvening.

SECTION 3.  Appropriation. – There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Public Safety the sum of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2021‑2022 fiscal year and two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2022‑2023 fiscal year to fund the continued development and implementation of the Quick Response Team Pilot Project to address the needs of opiate and heroin overdose victims in the City of Wilmington.

SECTION 4.  Effective Date. – This act becomes effective July 1, 2021.