NC S761

Creates a new position of Director of Education and Employment Opportunities for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities within the Department of Health and Human Services to oversee coordination of education and employment programs across state agencies.

Director shall be appointed by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, report to the Deputy Secretary for Human Services, and oversee duties including establishing statewide vision for inclusive education and employment, facilitating agency cooperation, developing employer incentive strategies, and maintaining central information repository for available programs.

Director must submit annual reports by March 1 to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee and Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services detailing interagency coordination and program outcomes.

Adds Director as ex officio member to the Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Council on Educational Services for Exceptional Children; reduces appointed Council on Developmental Disabilities membership from 32 to 31 due to the addition of these two ex officio positions.

Appropriates up to $150,000 in recurring funds for the Director's salary, benefits, and operating costs, plus $18,000 in nonrecurring funds for furniture and equipment; Director must be appointed by October 1, 2018.