NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1973 SESSION

 

 

CHAPTER 961

SENATE BILL 1092

 

 

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE COMMISSION FOR HUMAN SKILLS AND RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT.

 

Whereas, North Carolina, like many other states is experiencing a crisis of family and community, which are the basic social units of our nation; and

Whereas, this crisis is reflected in the dissolution of marital relationships, the alienation of child from parent, the increase in juvenile runaways and juvenile delinquency, the incidence of alcoholism and drug abuse, and in the increase of emotional problems in general; and

Whereas, such problems are not being met in many communities due to the lack of trained helpers; and

Whereas, there exist in many communities of our State persons in helping professions who could be trained as resource persons to counsel with others about their problems; Now, therefore,

 

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

 

Section 1.  The General Assembly hereby declares that it shall be the policy of this State insofar as possible to train and utilize qualified individuals residing in local communities to make available adequate counseling and referral services for all North Carolinians.

Sec. 2.  There is hereby created within the Department of Human Resources the Commission for Human Skills and Resource Development (hereinafter called the "Commission") which shall provide the mechanism in each county in this State to develop counseling abilities among community resource personnel in helping professions and other appropriate persons. The purpose of this Commission shall be to develop programs to sensitize persons and groups working with individuals and families, to increase competence in counseling skills of selected persons, and to consider ways of dealing with factors which adversely affect the quality of life in North Carolina.

Sec. 3.  The Commission shall consist of 20 members. Fourteen members shall be appointed by the Governor, and six members shall be appointed from the General Assembly, three by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and three by the President of the Senate. Of the 14 members to be appointed by the Governor for the first Commission, four shall be appointed for a term of one year, five for a term of three years and five for a term of five years. As the terms of these Commissioners expire, the Governor shall appoint their successors for terms of five years. The six members appointed from the General Assembly shall serve for a term of two years. Any vacancy arising for any cause other than the expiration of the term shall be filled by the original appointing authority for the unexpired term. The Governor shall designate the chairman from among the membership of the Commission.

Sec. 4.  A chief administrator and executive officer, a planning officer, a secretary, and other appropriate staff shall be appointed according to the Executive Organization Act of 1973. No person employed by the Commission shall be a member thereof.

Sec. 5.  The Commission shall make all rules and regulations necessary to its purpose as stated in Section 1 and is hereby authorized to enter into any agreement or contract, to purchase or lease property both real and personal, to adopt and accept grants and gifts of whatsoever nature, and to do all other things necessary to carry out the interest and purpose of such Commission.

Sec. 6.  The Commission is hereby authorized to receive grants-in-aid from the federal government for carrying out the provisions of this act.

Sec. 7.  The members of the Commission shall receive no compensation for their services; but their travel and per diem expenses shall be paid as authorized for members of State Commissions under G.S. 138-5.

Sec. 8.  This act shall become effective upon ratification.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 11th day of March, 1974.