NC H977

Department of Health and Human Services must study and report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services by May 1, 2025, on crisis pregnancy centers operating in North Carolina and their impact on access to accurate health care information and reproductive health services.

Study must examine the number of crisis pregnancy centers receiving state funds, total state and federal funds and tax subsidies received over the last five years, and whether centers are part of larger umbrella organizations.

Department must investigate services provided, number of annual clients, whether centers present themselves as medical facilities providing all-options counseling, and whether clients experience delays in receiving health care due to visits to these centers.

Study must review staffing of state-certified medical professionals, ultrasound equipment and technicians, collection of medical information, client record handling, and compliance with federal and state medical privacy laws.

$250,000 in nonrecurring funds appropriated to the Department of Health and Human Services for fiscal year 2024-2025 to conduct the study, with authority to hire a consultant.