Enacts GS 153A-223.1, creating the North Carolina Jail Fund (Fund) as a nonreverting special fund in the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), consisting of proceeds from any gifts, grants, or contributions to the State that are specifically designated for inclusion in the Fund, appropriations by the NCGA, and interest accrued to it. Specifies that jail refers to county jails. Authorizes use of funds from the Fund for the following purposes: (1) a payment to an NC sheriff to be used for repairs and improvements that the sheriff must make for the jail under the sheriff's authority to meet the minimum standards developed under State law and (2) regular payments to DHHS, not to exceed $200,000 for the administration of the Fund. Requires DHHS to develop rules for the eligibility and award of Fund distributions with specified matters those rules must require, including (1) matching funding, (2) entering into a Facility Correction Agreement with DHHS if selected to receive funds, and (3) a prohibition on DHHS issuing further citations for, or directing the closure of, a jail that is the subject of a Facility Correction Agreement under this section, so long as the Facility Correction Agreement is being executed in good faith. Specifies that the Secretary of DHHS has sole discretion to determine eligibility for funds from the Fund and for awarding those funds, so long as the awarding of funds is done in a manner that incentivizes self-reporting on behalf of sheriffs and facilitates the rapid remedy of deficiencies in jails throughout the State.

Appropriates from the General Fund to the Fund $10 million in nonrecurring funds for the 2023-24 fiscal year to be used as provided for in the act.

Effective July 1, 2023.