Week of April 29 Legislative Update

Bill Updates

HB 459, Chronic Care Coordination Act (Dollar, Murry, Hollo, Lambeth).  HB 459 requires the DHHS Divisions of Public Health and Medical Assistance, and the Division in the Department of State Treasurer responsible for the State Health Plan to collaborate to reduce the incidence of chronic disease and improve chronic care coordination within the State.  HB 459 was removed from the House Appropriations committee this week and calendared for a vote by the full House. It was approved by the full House and will now proceed to the Senate.

HB 492, Safeguard Qualified Individuals/Medicaid PCS(Dollar).  HB 492 allows for an additional 50 hours per month of Medicaid Personal Care Services (“PCS”) for recipients who meet the PCS eligibility criteria and additional criteria.  HB 492 was removed from the House Appropriations committee this week and calendared for vote by the full House.  The bill was amended on the House floor to change the date for an interim report on implementation to June 1.  It passed the full House and will next be heard in the Senate.

HB 585, PREA Compliance (Lewis). HB 585 directs all correctional facilities, juvenile facilities and local confinement facilities to comply with the provisions of the Federal Prison Rape Elimination Act.  It was approved by the Judiciary A committee this week and is scheduled next for a vote in the full House next Tuesday.

HB 635, Involuntary Commitment Custody Orders (Lambeth, Conrad, Terry, Hanes). HB 635 will allow the clerk or magistrate to issue an order by fax or an electronically scanned order by electronic transmission to a physician or eligible psychologist at a 24 hour facility to take a respondent into custody at the 24 hour facility.  The bill was approved by the full House this week.  It has been referred to the Senate Judiciary II committee.

HB 867, Medicaid County of Residence (Avila, Burr, Hollo, Brisson). HB 867 exempts recipients of services under 1915(b)/(c) managed care waivers from Medicaid home origin requirements.  Medicaid recipients served pursuant to the State's Section 1915(b)/(c) managed care wavier shall be based on the individual's Medicaid current county of residence, and Innovations waiver slots shall be portable. HB 867 was approved by the House Health and Human Services committee, and full House this week. 

HB 877, Navigator Training and Certification (Collins, S. Ross, Tine).  A Proposed Committee Substitute for HB 877 was approved by the House Insurance committee this week.  It now provides for certification and reporting to the Insurance Commissioner by health insurance navigators.  It has been referred to the Appropriations committee.

HB 935, NC Pre-K Law Changes (Burr, Avila).  HB 935 lowers the eligibility standard for NC Pre-K to 100% of the Federal Poverty Line (current eligibility is ~200% of FPL). The bill also requires local partnerships to administer NC Pre-K in all counties (as opposed to local school districts) and makes substantial changes to the composition and purview of the Child Care Commission.  It was approved by the House Health and Human Services committee and the full House this week.

SB 320, Improve Education for Children Who Are Deaf (Daniel, Newton, Bryant).  SB 320 directs the State Board of Education to implement assessment procedures and ensure that the language and communication needs of children who are deaf or hard of hearing are being met. It was approved by the Senate Education committee and full Senate this week.

SB 553, LME/MCO Enrollee Grievances and Appeals (Hise).  A Proposed Committee Substitute for SB 553 was approved by the Senate Health committee this week.  The bill creates a new chapter to govern LME/MCO recipient appeals.  While the bill as filed had significant changes from the current process, the PCS incorporates a number of procedures and standards from the current governing statute, including mediation, burden of proof and notice requirements.  It will next be heard in the Senate Judiciary II committee.