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Primary Sponsor

Last Action

Ref to the Com on Appropriations, if favorable, Finance, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House2025-04-14

Vote Breakdown

No floor votes recorded.

Plain Language Summary

This bill implements multiple changes to support North Carolina citizens with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). It increases Medicaid rates for direct care workers to at least $18/hour, expands waiver programs, improves Medicaid coverage for workers with disabilities, studies new community services, creates housing assistance programs, increases education funding for students with disabilities, and restricts use of prone restraints in schools.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue this bill addresses critical workforce shortages in disability services by raising direct care worker wages, which improves service quality and staff retention.
• •The bill expands access to needed services like community employment programs and housing assistance, reduces reliance on institutional settings, and provides additional education funding for students with high-cost disabilities.
• •Restrictions on prone restraints protect vulnerable students, and improved reporting helps track outcomes for students with IEPs.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may be concerned about the substantial state budget commitment of over $183 million annually for wage increases and $36 million for waiver expansion, plus additional costs for other programs.
• •Some may question whether Medicaid rate increases will actually reach workers or be absorbed by administrative costs, and whether the state can afford ongoing recurring expenditures.
• •There may also be concerns about implementation timelines dependent on federal approval and the feasibility of meeting all program requirements.