North Carolina Enacts New Mental Health Legislation

OPEN MINDS On-Line News North Carolina has recently enacted new legislation that will require private mental health care providers to be more accountable to the state. The legislation, signed into law by Governor Jim Hunt on June 30 and July 14, 2000, affects more than 10,000 people in 3,400 group homes, day treatment and outpatient programs, and 328 intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded. The laws – HB1520 and SB 1179 – require rest homes and mental health facilities to report all deaths from accidents, homicides, and suicides to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services . . .