Section 1.1

Amends GS 96-14.2, changing the weekly benefit amount for total and partial unemployment. Now, provides for the weekly benefit amount for total unemployment to equal the wages paid to the individual in the highest paid quarter of the individual's base period divided by 26 and rounded to the next lower whole dollar (previously, was equal to the wages paid in the last two completed quarters of the individual's base period, divided and rounded as described). Also increases the cap for the weekly benefit amount from $350 to $500, and requires annual adjustment for increases in the consumer price index on January 1. Defines consumer price index and provides for adjustment procedures. Replaces the calculation of partial weekly benefit amounts as follows. Provides that if the total wages payable to an individual for less than full-time work performed in a week claimed exceed one-half of the individual's weekly benefit amount, the amount of wages that exceed one-half of the weekly benefit amount must be deducted from the benefits payable to the claimant (previously, reduced by the amount of any wages the individual receives in the benefit week in excess of 20% of the benefit amount applicable to total unemployment). 

Section 2.1

Amends GS 96-14.3, eliminating the current duration parameters for unemployment benefits. Instead, establishes a standard maximum period of 26 weeks for any eligible individual entitled to receive unemployment benefits, unless expressly extended by state or federal law. Makes conforming changes to the total allowable benefits amount.

Section 3.1

Amends GS 96-14.8 to expand the reasons for leaving work provided which do not disqualify an individual for benefits, and which are not chargeable to the employer's account. Adds instances where an individual leaves work due solely to a disability incurred or other health condition, whether or not related to work, so long as the individual shows an adequate disability of the employee, a minor in the legal custody of the individual, an aged or disabled parent of the individual, or a disabled member of the individual's immediate family, at the time of leaving, that prevented the employee from doing the greater of other alternative work at minimum wage or 85 percent of the individual's regular wage, and that the individual gave the employer reasonable notice of the disability or health condition. Adds instances where an individual is unable to accept a particular shift due to inability to obtain child care for a minor under 14 years of age in the legal custody of the individual, elder care for an aged or disabled parent of the individual, or care for any disabled member of that individual's immediate family. Finally, adds instances where an individual leaves work to accompany a spouse to a new place of residence where the spouse has secured work in a location that is too far removed for the claimant reasonably to continue to work.

Section 4.1

Revises the repayments liabilities for overpayments stated in GS 96-18(g) to no longer include overpayment of unemployment benefits by the Division of Employment Security due to errors of Division representatives as a liability of the individual receiving the benefits. 

Amends GS 96-18.1, adding a new subsection to prohibit charging any employer where unemployment benefits are paid as a result of a decision by the Division if the decision is ultimately reversed. Prohibits deeming such benefits paid to constitute overpayment under GS 96-18(g).

Section 5.1

Enacts Article 6, Work-Sharing and Short-Time Compensation, of GS Chapter 96. Establishes a short-time compensation program that allows employers to submit a short-time compensation plan for approval by the Division of Employment Security (Division) for an affected unit of the employer to avert layoffs and offer short-time compensation to workers in the affected unit under an approved plan.

Requires an employer to submit a signed, written short-time compensation plan (plan) to the Division for approval. Requires the Division to develop an application form that includes nine specified components, including (1) the affected units and employees covered; (2) the employees' usual weekly hours of work, as defined, and the employer's proposed reduction percentage during weeks covered by the plan, which must be between 10 and 60 percent; (3) certification of continued health and retirement benefits, as defined, during weeks covered by the plan; (4) certification that the aggregate reduction of work hours is in lieu of layoffs; and (5) the effective date and duration of the plan, which cannot exceed 12 months. Provides for flexibility in the application process for demonstrated good cause, such as modes of operation that preclude setting specific dates and hours in the application. Excludes overtime work from the term usual weekly hours of work, and prohibits the hours from exceeding 40.

Requires the Division to approve or disapprove the plan in writing within 30 days of receipt and to promptly notify the employer. Requires notice of disapproval to include specific reasoning. Allows submission of another plan after 90 days of disapproval.

Details parameters regarding the effective date and duration of the plan, allowing plans to expire earlier than the end of the twelfth calendar month after its effective date. Allows an employer to terminate the plan at any time upon written notice to the Division. Allows an employer to submit a new application at any time after the expiration or termination date of a plan.

Allows for the Division to revoke plan approval for good cause at any time. Requires revocation to be in writing and include specific reasoning. Provides that revocation terminates the plan on the date specified in the order. Authorizes the Division to periodically review plans to assure no good cause exists for revocation, such as failure to comply with the assurances given in the plan, unreasonable revision of productivity standards for the affected unit, conduct or occurrence tending to defeat the intent and effective operation of the plan, and violation of any criteria on which approval of the plan was based.

Details requirements and limitations regarding plan modification. Prohibits any modification from extending the original plan's expiration date. Requires reporting of any modification that is not substantial which does not require Division approval.

Details eligibility for short-time compensation and benefits included under an approved plan. Eligibility criteria are that the individual be monetarily eligible and not disqualified for unemployment compensation who: (1) during the week, is employed as a member of an affected unit under a prior approved plan and the plan is in effect with respect to the week for which compensation is claimed; (2) is available for his or her usual hours of work with the employer, including training; and (3) is deemed unemployed in any week during the duration of the plan when remuneration as an employee in an affected unit is reduced based on a reduction of the individual's usual weekly hours of work under an approved plan. Defines unemployment compensation to mean the unemployment benefits payable under new Article 6 other than short-time compensation including any amounts payable pursuant to an agreement under any federal law providing for compensation, assistance, or allowances with respect to unemployment. Sets the weekly compensation amount to be the product of the regular weekly unemployment compensation amount for a week of total unemployment multiplied by the percentage of reduction in the individual's usual weekly hours of work. Bars eligibility for combined benefits in any benefit year in an amount more than the maximum entitlement for regular unemployment compensation and payment for more than 52 weeks under the plan. Details further parameters and limitations for compensation, including relation to regular unemployment compensation and the impact of working or not working for a short-time employer and/or another employer during weeks covered by the plan.

Provides that short-time compensation benefits must be charged to an employers' experience rating accounts in the same manner as unemployment compensation charged under GS Chapter 96. Adds that employers liable for payments in lieu of contributions must have short-time compensation attributed to service in their employ in the same manner as unemployment compensation is attributed.

Deems an individual who has received all of the short-time compensation or combined unemployment compensation and short-time compensation available in a benefit year to be an exhaustee of extended benefits unless otherwise eligible for extended benefits.

Provides for the provisions of Section 5.1 to become effective 60 days from the date the act becomes law and applying retroactively to claims arising, and to plans submitted, on or after April 1, 2022.

Section 6.1

Suspends required employer contributions and payments under GS 96-9.2 through December 31, 2023. Effective July 1, 2022. 

Section 7.1

Appropriates $100,000 for 2022-23 from the General Fund to the Department of Commerce, Division of Employment Security, to fund the implementation of this act. Effective July 1, 2022.

Adds new Part 7, Community College Promise Scholarship Program in Article 23 of GS Chapter 116, providing as follows. Enacts GS 116-209.100, establishing the Community College Promise Scholarship Program (program), administered by the State Education Assistance Authority (Authority). States the program's purpose. Directs the Authority to annually award scholarships to eligible students for up to four academic semesters at a community college in the State. Requires applicants to complete a FASFA and requires the Authority to reduce a scholarship award by the amount of any grants or scholarships the applicant received from other State or federal resources. Provides for scholarships to be awarded in the order application are received. Establishes student eligibility criteria, including that the student graduated with at least a 2.0 unweighted GPA from a public high school, nonpublic high school or home school located in the State in the academic semester prior to enrollment at the community college; the student qualifies as a resident for tuition purposes; and the student gains admission at a community college in a curriculum program. Allows for annual renewal of the scholarship if the student demonstrates a 2.3 GPA and maintains satisfactory progress. Directs the Authority to adopt rules for program administrative. 

Enacts GS 116-209.101 as follows. Directs the Authority to partner with the Community Colleges System Office and local school administrative units to place higher education advisors in secondary schools statewide to provide outreach to high school students on the program and other financial aid assistance programs. Requires the advisers to provide information to students on FASFA assistance and scholarship options. 

Enacts GS 116-209.102, establishing the Community College Promise Scholarship Fund Reserve, administered by the Authority, consisting of all appropriations and receipts by the Authority to administer the program, returned scholarship monies, and all interest earned. Limits use of Reserve funds to scholarships, as specified, and administrative costs of the Authority, up to 5%.

Enacts GS 116-209.103, establishing an annual reporting requirement for the Authority to report on the program to the specified NCGA committee, beginning November 1, 2023. Specifies required content of the report. 

applies beginning with the 2023-24 academic year. 

Appropriates the following funds from the General Fund to the UNC Board of Governors (BOG) for 2022-23 to be allocated to the Authority: $300,000 to establish the program and the financial aid counseling program, as enacted; and $4,007,550 in recurring funds to hire up to 100 full-time higher education advisers to be assigned as described, with employment beginning no earlier than January 1, 2023.

Appropriates $161,300,000 in recurring funds from the General Fund to the Reserve for the 2022-23 to award scholarships under the program beginning with the 2023-24 academic year. 

Effective July 1, 2022.

Identical to H 1129, filed 5/26/22.

Enacts new GS 115C-407.50 establishing that a parent has a right to: (1) access and review all education records, as authorized by the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, relating to his or her child; (2) make health care decisions for his or her child, unless otherwise provided by law; (3) have access to transparent data about school and district academic performance data; (4) have access to information, data, and statistics as to the successes, shortcomings, or failures of each school his or her child is allowed to attend; (5) to know the nutrition facts of his or her child's meals; (6) for his or her child to have a fully resourced classroom with the tools and technology to deliver curriculum requirements as required by the State Constitution; (7) receive timely notification of information related to his or her child's health, well-being, and education; (8) to know of threats to his or her child's safety, whether to the child individually or to the school or local school administrative unit as a whole; (9) have his or her child diagnosed and served by the education system for any learning disabilities that may affect the child's educational outcomes; (10) be able to sit in his or her child's class, within reasonable limits set by the local school administrative unit.

Appropriates $50,000 for 2022-23 from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction to create a public awareness campaign to inform parents of their rights regarding their child's education.

Applies beginning with the 2022-23 school year.

Amends the central cancer registry's powers and duties under GS 130A-208, to also include serving as the lead agency for cancer cluster inquiries and investigations in the State as provided in new GS 130A-208.5. Enacts new GS 130A-208.5 requiring the central cancer registry to oversee the coordination of State-level efforts and activities related to cancer cluster inquiries and investigations in a way that maximizes efficiency and effectiveness.

Enacts new GS 130A-208.6 requiring the central cancer registry to employ an epidemiologist with knowledge, training, and experience in cancer epidemiology whose primary responsibility it will be to coordinate and communicate State-level cancer cluster activities. Sets out the cancer epidemiologist's six duties and powers.

Enacts new GS 130A-208.7 requiring the central cancer registry to collaborate with the cancer epidemiologist in establishing and periodically updating an enhanced statewide cancer cluster protocol for addressing suspected cancer clusters in the State. Requires the protocol to be based on the most current CDC guidelines and incorporate four stated items. 

Effective October 1, 2022.

Appropriates $314,777 in recurring funds for 2022-23 from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Public Health, to be used in specified amounts for the following: (1) to create one full-time equivalent Cancer Epidemiologist position dedicated to cancer cluster investigations; (2) to create one full-time equivalent Public Health Educator II position within the Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch to assist DHHS and local health departments with communications during cancer cluster investigations and as the results of these investigations are made available to local health departments, the media, and the general public; (3) to create two full-time equivalent Certified Tumor Registrar positions to coordinate outreach, communication, and onboarding with physician practices to improve cancer case identification across the State, and sets out additional duties of these positions. Effective July 1, 2022. 

Appropriates $510,250 in recurring funds for 2022-23 from the General Fund to the Department of Commerce to be allocated to the National Institute of Innovation and Technology, Inc., (Institute) to establish the following five new positions at the Institute, as specified, plus operating costs. Requires the positions to work to address the talent shortage in nanotechnology-related fields and advanced manufacturing, including the specified fields, through recruitment of qualified persons. Sets out recruitment efforts that must be made concerning pre-apprenticeship and youth pathway programs. Sets out minimum qualifications for the positions.

Requires the National Institute of Innovation and Technology, Inc., to annually for each year that State funds are expended: (1) report to the specified NCGA committee chairs and division on prior fiscal year program activities, objectives, and accomplishments and prior fiscal year itemized expenditures and fund sources; (2) provide the specified NCGA committee chairs and division with a copy of the entity's annual audited financial statements. 

Effective July 1, 2022.

Amends GS 115C-316.5, which authorizes the State Board of Education (State Board) to adopt rules for the allocation of school psychologist positions, to set the allocation of positions on the basis of average daily membership (ADM) at a rate of one psychologist per 700 students. Establishes a schedule for appropriations from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to be allocated to the school psychologist allotment, with amounts necessary to employ the specified percentage of the ratio of school psychologists to students, beginning with 2023-24 at 30%, and increasing to 100% in 2028-29. Directs the State Budget to include the appropriated amount for each fiscal year identified in the schedule. Provides that allotted funds are supplemental.

Appropriates $18,835,270 in recurring funds from the General Fund to DPI for 2022-23 to be allocated to the school psychologist allotment pursuant to GS 115C-316.5, as amended.

Enacts GS 115C-316.7, directing the State Board to establish a funding allotment for school social worker roles. Authorizes the State Board to adopt rules for the allocation of the positions, with the basis of ADM at a rate of one school social worker per 400 students. Establishes a schedule for appropriations from the General Fund to DPI to be allocated to the school social worker allotment, with amounts necessary to employ the specified percentage of the ratio of school social workers to students, beginning with 2023-24 at 30%, and increasing to 100% in 2028-29. Directs the State Budget to include the appropriated amount for each fiscal year identified in the schedule. Provides that allotted funds are supplemental.

Appropriates $24,216,890 in recurring funds from the General Fund to DPI for 2022-23 to be allocated to the school social worker allotment pursuant to GS 115C-316.7, as enacted.

Enacts new GS 58-3-295 requiring every health benefit plan offered in NC to cover adaptive exercise equipment for individuals with chronic mobility impairments resulting in lifelong wheelchair use. Defines adaptive exercise equipment as any machine, device, or tool designed to accommodate the improvement or maintenance of physical health. Subjects coverage to the same copay, coinsurance, and deductible as similar durable medical equipment. Specifies that the statute does not prevent an insurer from applying utilization review criteria to determine medical necessity and sets out requirements for such review.

Makes conforming changes to GS 135-48.51 concerning coverage by the State Health Plan.

Effective October 1, 2022.

Appropriates $10,000 for 2022-23 from the General Fund to the Office of State Budget and Management for a directed grant to Disability Rights North Carolina to educate the public on this act. Effective July 1, 2022.

Amends GS 115D-9, which authorizes the State Board of Community Colleges (State Board) to delegate the powers granted to it with respect to the design, construction, repair, or renovation of buildings, utilities, and other State-funded property developments of the System requiring up to $4 million of estimated expenditure of public money. No longer limits the State Board's delegation authority to a community college qualified under its guidelines and approved by the State Building Commission and the Director of Budget, now requiring only that the community college be qualified under the State Board's guidelines. Deems delegated projects of less than $2 million excluded from the architecture and engineering duties of the Department of Administration (DOA) under GS 143-341(3), if the State Board determines that the college has the expertise necessary to manage the project, so long as the Office of State Construction's assistance has not been requested assistance. Additionally, limits the reporting requirements for the State Board regarding projects governed by the statute to those which are funded with at least $2 million of public money. 

Revises the architecture and engineering duties of DOA for community college buildings under GS 143-341 to require DOA to examine and approve all plans and specifications for the construction or renovation of all community college buildings for which the State Board has submitted a written request for a project requiring less than $2 million of public funds expended, prior to awarding the contract, and changes made after the contract is awarded.

Appropriates $100,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Commerce (Department) for 2022-23 to study methods for workforce development in eastern NC. Authorizes the hire of consultants. Sets required components of the study, including addressing region-specific means of increasing graduation rates with credentials that translate into employment and living wage earnings, and sectoral partnerships with employers in critical industries. Directs the Department to report to the specified NCGA committees and division by December 1, 2022. Provides for the funds to remain available for the act's purposes.

Appropriates $41.5 million from the General Fund to the Community Colleges System Office to be allocated to Pitt Community College to construct a new Center for Workforce Development and Innovation.

Includes whereas clauses.

Enacts GS 130A-33.70, creating the 35-member NC Trauma Prevention Task Force (task force) within the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Enumerates four duties of the task force, including study of the statistical incidences and causes of trauma deaths and injuries in the state, annually reporting to the Governor and NCGA with content as specified, and researching additional roles the State can play in trauma care and prevention. Provides for member qualifications, appointments, and designations; and task force meetings, member terms, expenses, and vacancies. Authorizes the task force to hire staff or contracted consultants and other professionals.

Appropriates $155,000 in recurring funds from the General Fund to DHHS to be allocated to the task force to discharge its duties.

Effective July 1, 2022. 

Enacts GS 105-277.1E, establishing the following new property tax exclusion. Designates as a special class of property a permanent residence owned and occupied by a qualifying owner, defined as one who, as of January 1 preceding the taxable year for which the benefit is claimed: received income from one or more local, State, or federal government retirement plans for at least 20 years of creditable service; does not have income above the eligibility limit under GS 105-277.1; a State resident. Excludes the amount of the appraised value of the residence equal to the exclusion amount, which is the portion of appraised value that would result in the property's total tax liability exceeding $1,000. Bars receiving any other property tax relief in combination with the exclusion. Establishes that an owner does not lose the benefit of exclusion because of a temporary absence from the permanent residence for reasons of health or while confined to a rest home or nursing home, as long as the residence is unoccupied, or occupied by a dependent or the spouse of the owner. Establishes provisions concerning application for residences owned by spouses, and situations where there are multiple owners who are not husband and wife.

Amends GS 105-277.1B, changing the qualifications for a property owner to be eligible for the homestead circuit breaker property tax exclusion provided. Eliminates the age or disability requirement of a qualifying owner under the statute (previously, required age of 65 or total and permanent disability). Expands income eligibility to include owners who have an income for the preceding calendar year of no more than 235% (was, 150%) of the income eligibility limit provided in GS 105-277.1B(c). Regarding property owned by husband and wife, now entitles the owner to the full exclusion if one of them meets the requirements (was, if one of them meets the length of occupancy and ownership and age or disability requirements).

Makes conforming changes to GS 105-277.1 and GS 105-277.1C to exclude receiving tax relief under either of the statutes and new GS 105-277.1E. 

Effective for taxable years beginning on or after July 1, 2022. 

Part II.

Appropriates $35 million in recurring funds from the General Fund to the Housing Finance Agency for 2022-23 for the Workforce Housing Loan Program.

Appropriates $50 million in additional recurring funds from the General Fund to the Housing Trust Fund for 2022-23 to be administered pursuant to GS Chapter 122E, the North Carolina Housing Trust and Oil Overcharge Act. 

Effective July 1, 2022. 

Amends Part 6 of Article 23 of GS Chapter 116 as follows. Changes the name of the Part to Tuition Grant for High School Graduate of Eligible Public Schools. Amends GS 116-209.90 to expand the eligibility for tuition grants to attend a UNC constituent institution to include an eligible graduate of a cooperative and innovative high school in addition to graduates of the NC School of Science and Mathematics and the UNC School of the Arts. Makes conforming and clarifying changes.

Appropriates $11.5 million in recurring funds for 2022-23 from the General Fund to the UNC Board of Governors to expand tuition grants to attend UNC constituent institutions to include cooperative and innovative high school graduates. 

States the NCGA's intent to appropriate the specified amounts in 2023-24, 2024-25, and 2025-26 to award tuition grants for future graduates from cooperative and innovative high schools.

Effective July 1, 2022.

Adds new Part 7 to Article 23 of GS Chapter 116, providing as follows.

Defines high-achieving high school graduate as a graduate from a public or nonpublic high school (as defined) who has completed the minimum educational requirements for admission to The University of North Carolina with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.2, calculated on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent.

Provides that within the funds available, a high-achieving high school graduate in each academic semester who meets the following conditions is eligible for a tuition grant: (1) is a resident for tuition purposes and (2) enrolls as a full-time student in a UNC constituent institution in the next academic year after graduation. Makes students who receive initial tuition grants as a cohort of a high school graduating class also eligible to apply for tuition grants for subsequent academic semesters for up to five academic semesters in an undergraduate program. Requires continuous enrollment but allows waiving this requirement under specified circumstances. 

Sets out guidelines for administering the grants. Sets the grant amount at $2,500 per semester. Provides for pro rata share of funds when there are not sufficient funds to provide each eligible student with a full tuition grant.

Applies beginning with the 2021-22 school year.

Appropriates $100 million in recurring funds for 2022-23 from the General Fund to the UNC Board of Governors to provide the tuition grants. States the NCGA's intent to appropriate the specified funds in 2023-24 and 2024-25 for awarding the tuition grants.

Effective July 1, 2022. 

Appropriates $6 million for 2022-23 from the General Fund to the Department of Public Safety, Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice for supporting, maintaining, or expanding chronic care units in State prisons. 

Appropriates $4 million for 2022-23 from the General Fund to the Department of Public Safety, Division of Adult Correction and Juvenile Justice for improving the screening and training of incoming State prison staff.

The above is effective July 1, 2022.

Requires that when a State prison is at or above 80% of its maximum occupancy capacity, that the Secretary of Public Safety use their authority to extend the limits of the place of confinement of a prisoner in a manner substantially similar to the manner in which the Secretary used that authority during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Amends GS 15A-1369 by expanding upon the definition of medical release to also include allowing the release of inmates who are incapacitated to the extent that the inmate does not pose a public safety risk. Makes a conforming change to the procedure for medical release in GS 15A-1369.3.

Makes a clarifying change to GS 15A-1369.2.

 

Provides the following directives for the Department of Health and Humans Services regarding its nonprofit contractors and grant recipients. Directs DHHS to allow nonprofit grantees and contractors to automatically activate limited-time extensions up to six months for continuity of services when a formal extension or renewal process has not been completed within 10 business days of the subsequent contract start date. Requires DHHS to use multi-year contracts when allowable by the originating federally-funded grant. Additionally, requires DHHS to set a standard 60-day timeframe to the contract process and require key performance indicators and contract deliverables in contracts to be sued for performance monitoring. 

Directs DHHS to establish a system of training, continuing education, and certification for agency purchasing and contract monitoring personnel, including ethics training. Requires DHHS to establish and offer training to vendors on applicable laws, rules, regulations, and contract performance monitoring. Grants DHHS rulemaking authority to administer the require trainings. Requires that all DHHS purchase and monitoring personnel receive training and continuing education from the Department of Administration, Division of Purchase and Contract, on procurement rules, including an ethics component provided by the State Ethics Commission. Appears to intend participation in DHHS purchase and contract monitoring is limited to personnel who have received the required training. Limits training requirements for nonprofit contractors or grantees to the extend trainings and meetings are directly related to the services provided under the grant or contract or necessary for the contract's administration. 

Requires DHHS to reimburse requests and invoices within 30 days of receipt, requesting feedback as applicable within 10 business days, without which an invoice is deemed valid. Allows charges to be disallowed until resolved if the contractor or grantee does not address DHHS's requested feedback. Establishes that requests for additional information on disputed charges does not interrupt the 30-day contractual payment requirement. Directs DHHS to make payments based on actual expenditures, as defined, pursuant to the approved budget on filed. 

Sets an interest rate on late or wrongfully withheld payments to nonprofit contractors or grant recipients at 3%, payable within 10 business days of any interest accrued. Establishes that the negotiation, determination, or settlement of the reimbursable amount of overhead under cost-reimbursement type contracts is accomplished on an individual contract basis and is based upon the federally approved indirect cost rate. Adds that for vendors who do not have a federally approved indirect cost rate, in accordance with 2 CFR 200.414(f), the de minimis rate of 10% of modified total direct costs applies. Bars DHHS making material amendments to contracts after execution unless required to comply with changes to federal or state laws. 

Establishes the 8-member Advisory Committee on State Contracting with Human Service Provider Nonprofits (committee), consisting of legislatively appointed members. Provides for committee meetings. Directs the committee to update State procurement and contracting procedures and regulations for contracts and grants with human service provider nonprofits. Requires the committee to work with the Department of Administration and the Department of Public Safety. Charges the committee with studying issues related to nonprofit human service providers that contract with DHHS, including two described categories. Requires the committee to annually report to the the Secretary of Administration, specified NCGA leaders and clerks, and the Governor. 

Appropriates $110,000 in recurring funds from the General Fund to DHHS for 2022-23 to fund a support position for contractors and grantees with reporting and compliance requirements for directed grants and contracted awarded under procedures of the act. 

Effective July 1, 2022.