North Carolina SB 561: Cherokee Local Act.

Bill Text

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
S 1
SENATE BILL 561

Short Title: The Working Hearts, Empowered Homes Act. (Public)
Sponsors: Senator Theodros (Primary Sponsor).
Referred to: Rules and Operations of the Senate
March 26, 2025
*S561-v-1*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT INTEGRATING AND EXPANDING HEALTHCARE, CHILD CARE, 2
NUTRITIONAL ASSISTANCE, AND PREVENTIVE CARE PROGRAMS TO 3
STRENGTHEN SUPPORT FOR WORKING FAMILIES IN NORTH CAROLINA; AND 4
APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THESE PURPOSES. 5
Whereas, working families face significant financial and logistical barriers to 6
accessing essential services such as healthcare, child care, and nutrition assistance; and 7
Whereas, existing programs that provide support to working families operate 8
independently, creating inefficiencies and gaps in service delivery for low- and middle-income 9
families; and 10
Whereas, integrating and enhancing the State's family support programs and services 11
will promote economic stability, health equity, and long-term well-being for North Carolina's 12
working families; Now, therefore, 13
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 14
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PART I. TITLE 16
SECTION 1.1. This act shall be known and may be cited as "The Working Hearts, 17
Empowered Homes Act." 18
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PART II. DEFINITIONS 20
SECTION 2.1. The following definitions apply in this act: 21
(1) Integrated family support services. – Programs and services administered at 22
the State level that are designed to strengthen families through the provision 23
of State-funded or State-subsidized child care, nutritional assistance, 24
healthcare, or preventive care. 25
(2) Preventive care. – Healthcare services and activities aimed at reducing 26
long-term healthcare costs and improving an individual's overall well-being. 27
(3) Working families. – Households with one or more adults who are engaged in 28
employment but require support services to maintain economic stability. 29
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PART III. PROGRAM INTEGRATION 31
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STATEWIDE FAMILY SUPPORT COORDINATION SYSTEM 33
SECTION 3.1.(a) The Department of Health and Human Services shall coordinate 34
all family support contracts and activities across divisions. This coordination shall address 35

General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 2 Senate Bill 561-First Edition
duplication, cost efficiency, and effectiveness and shall ensure compliance with federal 1
requirements while maximizing State and federal resources. 2
SECTION 3.1.(b) The Department of Health and Human Services shall develop a 3
family support coordination system that integrates family support programs, services, and 4
activities offered throughout the State to ensure streamlined access for working families. This 5
system shall consolidate application processes, eligibility requirements, and service delivery 6
methods for family support programs and services. 7
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FAMILY SUPPORT REGIONAL HUBS PILOT PROGRAM 9
SECTION 3.2.(a) Program Purpose and Funding. – Effective July 1, 2025, there is 10
appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services the sum 11
of three million dollars ($3,000,000) in nonrecurring funds for each year of the 2025-2027 fiscal 12
biennium to establish and administer a Regional Hubs Pilot Program (Pilot Program) in up to 13
three different regions of the State. The purpose of this Pilot Program is to evaluate the 14
effectiveness of utilizing regional hubs that are available in person, through the World Wide 15
Web, or through any other means of electronic access to assist working families with gaining 16
access to family support programs and services in one setting. The Pilot Program authorized by 17
this section shall terminate upon the filing of the report required by subsection (b) of this section. 18
SECTION 3.2.(b) Eligible Use of Funds. – The Department may use the funds 19
appropriated by subsection (a) of this section to enter into a contract with a third-party entity to 20
assist with the design, implementation, and operation of these regional hubs. 21
SECTION 3.2.(c) Reporting. – By February 1, 2028, the Department of Health and 22
Human Services shall conduct and submit to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on 23
Health and Human Services and the Fiscal Research Division a comprehensive evaluation of the 24
Pilot Program authorized by this section. The evaluation shall include, at a minimum, all of the 25
following information: 26
(1) A detailed breakdown of Pilot Program expenditures. 27
(2) A description of the design and operation of each regional hub. 28
(3) The number of counties and individuals served by each regional hub. 29
(4) A recommendation as to whether the Pilot Program should be implemented 30
statewide. 31
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PART IV. SERVICE EXPANSION 33
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CHILD CARE INNOVATION PILOT PROGRAM 35
SECTION 4.1.(a) Program Purpose and Funding. – Effective July 1, 2025, there is 36
appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division 37
of Child Development a