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Last Action

Re-ref to the Com on Health, if favorable, Appropriations, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House2026-05-13

Vote Breakdown

No floor votes recorded.

Plain Language Summary

This bill appropriates $2.178 million in state funds to hire at least 25 additional Adult Protective Services (APS) workers at county departments of social services statewide, beginning in fiscal year 2026-2027. The funds will be distributed to counties with the greatest need based on factors like number of APS cases, required staffing levels, senior population, and report volume.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue that elder abuse is a growing problem in North Carolina, with studies showing one in five older adults experienced abuse during the pandemic, while current federal funding covers only 21% of APS staff costs and often runs out mid-year.
• •Additional state-funded workers would reduce overwhelming caseloads, enable timely investigations of abuse cases, and address a critical gap where North Carolina currently provides no state funding for APS despite the increasing senior population.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may be concerned about the recurring $2.178 million annual cost to the state budget and question whether this is the most efficient use of limited state resources.
• •Some may argue that counties should bear more responsibility for funding services to their residents, or that alternative solutions like improving existing resource allocation should be explored before expanding the state budget.