summary
Introduced
02/25/2025
02/25/2025
In Committee
02/26/2025
02/26/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT APPROPRIATING FUNDS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DIVISION OF PUBLIC HEALTH, TO CONTINUE THE STATE'S PROGRESS IN COMMUNICABLE DISEASE RESPONSE. Whereas, there are over 80 reportable communicable diseases in North Carolina that local health departments (LHDs) are responsible for investigating and managing; and Whereas, LHDs must respond to the rise and spread of newly emerging and re-emerging communicable diseases, such as tuberculosis, avian flu, Marburg virus, and Mpox; and Whereas, North Carolina has currently seen cases of avian flu in commercial poultry flocks, requiring a high level of monitoring and support from LHDs to address the risk of human spread; and Whereas, LHDs in North Carolina remain understaffed, with an estimated 70% shortage of public health staff at the local level, including communicable disease nurses and other professionals, who are vital to the State's communicable disease response; Now, therefore,
AI Summary
This bill appropriates $50 million in recurring funds over two fiscal years (2025-2026 and 2026-2027) to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services' Division of Public Health to support local health departments (LHDs) in addressing communicable disease challenges. The funding aims to help LHDs better prepare for emerging public health threats, retain and hire additional staff like public health nurses, and expand essential public health services. The funds will be distributed in two parts: $12.5 million equally among LHDs based on the number of counties served, and another $12.5 million proportionally based on the percentage of state population each LHD serves. The bill recognizes the current significant staffing shortage in public health (estimated at 70%) and the need to address over 80 reportable communicable diseases, including emerging threats like avian flu, tuberculosis, Marburg virus, and Mpox. The funds must be distributed within 60 days of the state budget being certified for each fiscal year, with the act becoming effective on July 1, 2025.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance
Sponsors (18)
Larry Potts (R)*,
Donna White (R)*,
Amber Baker (D),
Mary Belk (D),
Becky Carney (D),
Maria Cervania (D),
Allison Dahle (D),
Julia Greenfield (D),
Pricey Harrison (D),
Ya Liu (D),
Jordan Lopez (D),
Nasif Majeed (D),
Ben Moss (R),
Howard Penny (R),
Renée Price (D),
Amos Quick (D),
Tim Reeder (R),
Bill Ward (R),
Last Action
Ref to the Com on Appropriations, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House (on 02/26/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
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bill summary
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H197 |
| BillText | https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2025/Bills/House/PDF/H197v1.pdf |
| BillText | https://www.ncleg.gov/Sessions/2025/Bills/House/PDF/H197v0.pdf |
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