House Bill 1003 Summary

• Appropriates $180,000,000 in state funds (matched by $338,000,000 in federal funds) to increase Medicaid rates for direct care workers serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to a minimum of $18.00 per hour, effective July 1, 2024.

• Increases North Carolina Innovations waiver slots by a minimum of 1,000 and appropriates $35,000,000 in state funds (matched by $66,000,000 in federal funds) for this expansion; requires development of a 10-year plan to address the registry of unmet needs by February 1, 2025.

• Prohibits the use of prone restraint on students in schools and requires at least one continuing education credit on seclusion and restraint use for all teachers; increases parental notification requirements when restraint or seclusion incidents occur.

• Directs development of a five-year plan for monthly housing rental subsidies (1,000 total by end of plan) for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in integrated settings, and requires feasibility study of a new "Community Activities and Employment Transitions" Medicaid service.

• Creates an Office of Accessible Transportation and Mobility within the Department of Transportation to expand and improve accessible transportation services across the state, with a report due by March 31, 2025.