AN ACT to direct the legislative research commission to study increasing housing options for adults with developmental disabilities.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.(a)  The Legislative Research Commission (LRC) shall study increasing the housing options available to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). As part of its study, the LRC shall do all of the following:

(1)        Consider housing transition plans for all adults with IDD, including adults moving from institutions and from group home settings and adults transitioning from living at home with family to living independently.

(2)        Incorporate and consider any strategic plans that have been developed by the Department of Health and Human Services related to housing.

(3)        Include input from the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services, and the NC Housing Finance Agency.

(4)        Consider ways in which to utilize the Transitions to Community Living Initiative (TCLI) to address the housing needs for some individuals with IDD.

(5)        Examine the best practices of other states in increasing the availability of affordable housing for adults with IDD.

(6)        Consider any necessary services and supports for adults with IDD that will make a transition to independent living more successful.

(7)        Any other matters the LRC deems relevant to its efforts.

SECTION 1.(b)  The LRC shall report its findings and recommendations, together with any proposed legislation and the recommended appropriation for each recommendation, to the 2023 Regular Session of the 2023 General Assembly upon its convening.

SECTION 2.  Effective July 1, 2022, there is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services, the sum of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000) in nonrecurring funds to be used for the Transitions to Community Living Initiative.

SECTION 3.  Except as otherwise provided, this act is effective when it becomes law.