AN ACT to appropriate funds to provide for hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment for north carolina veterans Suffering from Traumatic Brain injury (TBI) and PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Whereas, North Carolina proudly has one of the largest veteran populations in the country; and

Whereas, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a recognized and accepted treatment for healing wounds and other medical conditions; and

Whereas, the people of North Carolina are grateful to all of our heroic veterans for their selfless service to our State and our nation; and

Whereas, S.L. 2019‑175, An Act Authorizing Certain Medical Professionals to Prescribe Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy For Veterans with Traumatic Brain Injury and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder became law on July 26, 2019; and

Whereas, it is vital to make hyperbaric oxygen therapy accessible to veterans; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Program Established. – Within the funds made available pursuant to Section 2 of this act, the Community Foundation of NC East, Inc., a nonprofit corporation, shall provide hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment to veterans who are residents of North Carolina with a diagnosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI) or posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) at no cost to the veteran. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment provided to a veteran pursuant to this section shall be provided in accordance with Part 5 of Article 6 of Chapter 122C of the General Statutes.

SECTION 2.  Appropriation. – There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Office of State Budget and Management the sum of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2021‑2022 fiscal year to provide a grant to the Community Foundation of NC East, Inc., to provide hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment to veterans in accordance with this act.

SECTION 3.  Report. – By March 1, 2023, the Community Foundation of NC East, Inc., shall report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services on the provision of hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment to veterans, including the use of State funds.

SECTION 4.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2021.