NC S875

Increases minimum population requirements for area authority catchment areas to 300,000 by July 1, 2012 and 500,000 by July 1, 2013 to implement statewide 1915(b)/(c) Medicaid Waiver expansion.

Restructures area board membership from 11-25 members to 11-21 voting members with specific required representation including county commissioners, consumers, family members, and healthcare professionals with expertise in mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse.

Allows area directors and employees to be paid salaries exceeding state personnel commission ranges with Secretary approval when supported by comparable regional salary data.

Prevents county disengagement from multicounty area authorities for two years (until July 1, 2014) and requires Secretary to adopt rules establishing a county disengagement process ensuring service continuity and population compliance.

Establishes confidentiality protections for competitive healthcare information in area authority contracts while maintaining public record access to contracts themselves, subject to court review procedures.