NC S490

Direct the Legislative Research Commission to study the feasibility and effectiveness of establishing partnerships between state-operated hospitals and private, underutilized rural hospitals to increase mental health services access.

Require the LRC to report findings and any recommended legislation to the 2016 Regular Session of the General Assembly.

Exempt transfers of beds from state-operated hospitals to private, rural hospitals for mental illness diagnosis and treatment from certificate of need review requirements under G.S. 131E-176(16)c.

Make Section 1 (LRC study) effective upon enactment and Section 2 (bed transfer exemption) effective October 1, 2015, for changes in bed capacity on or after that date.