NC H727

Establishes the Breakthrough Therapies Research (BTR) Grant Fund as a nonreverting special fund in the Department of Health and Human Services to award two competitive grants of $2,500,000 each for three-year research projects.

Limits eligible research to MDMA for treating posttraumatic stress disorder in military veterans, first responders, frontline healthcare workers, and domestic violence/sexual assault survivors, and psilocybin for treating anxiety or depressive disorders, with all studies measuring baseline and changes in participant pain levels.

Requires applications from federal medical entities and academic institutions located in North Carolina by August 1, 2024, with all research conducted in-state and participants age 21 or older.

Establishes the BTR Advisory Board with 11 members including gubernatorial and legislative appointees plus ex officio members, tasked with recommending grant applications, monitoring research, and evaluating findings with a final report due December 1, 2028.

Appropriates $5,400,000 in nonrecurring funds for fiscal 2023-2025, with $5,000,000 for grants and $400,000 for administrative costs; the advisory board and program expire December 31, 2028.