NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1975 SESSION

CHAPTER 959

HOUSE BILL 762

AN ACT TO MAKE APPROPRIATIONS TO THE DIVISION OF MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES, TO PROVIDE FOR A MENTAL HEALTH MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM.

Whereas, it is the policy of North Carolina to provide the best possible mental health services with the most efficient and effective use of public funds, and the existing information system is not adequate to furnish local programs, regional offices, the Division of Mental Health Services, the Department of Human Resources and the General Assembly with the information they need to insure the efficient and effective care of mental health patients; and

Whereas, the Mental Health Study Commission has made specific recommendations that the Division of Mental Health Services, Department of Human Resources develop a comprehensive mental health information system which would provide the information required; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

Section 1.  There is hereby appropriated out of the General Fund of the State the sum of five hundred eighty-three thousand dollars ($583,000) to the Division of Mental Health Services, Department of Human Resources for the development and implementation of a statewide mental health management information system. This system shall provide information concerning mental health services, activities and costs to local programs, regions, the Division of Mental Health Services, the Department of Human Resources and the General Assembly, and shall interface with the management information system of the Department of Human Resources.

The recommendations to be developed and carried out through the implementation of this system shall include:

(a)        Development of a system which facilitates reimbursement and reduces inconsistencies in claim settlements, decreases administrative activities of treatment staff and allows growth in care-giving without increasing administrative staff.

(b)        Development of mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the mental health services delivered, provides information for planning, evaluation and budgeting and information to insure continuity of care.

(c)        Development of a system to supply information for more equitable decisions on the allocation of resources and services, planning, evaluation and budgeting and for monitoring the quality of care delivered.

Sec. 2.  The expenditure of the funds herein appropriated shall not be subject to any of the limitations or restrictions on expenditure of funds contained in Chapter 122 of the General Statutes.

Sec. 3.  The expenditure of funds herein appropriated shall be only for the Mental Health Management Information System.

Sec. 4.  The funds herein appropriated are non-recurring and unexpended funds from this appropriation shall revert to the General Fund on June 30, 1977.

Sec. 5.  The implementation of the recommendations and the effectiveness of such implementation shall be monitored by the Mental Health Study Commission which shall make periodic reports to the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, the Speaker of the House and the General Assembly.

Sec. 6.  This act shall become effective July 1, 1975.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 26th day of June, 1975.