GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 1999

SESSION LAW 1999-201
HOUSE BILL 972

AN ACT TO PROVIDE THAT THE COST AND EXPENSES OF TRANSPORTING A RESPONDENT IN AN INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENT PROCEEDING MAY BE RECOVERED FROM THE RESPONDENT'S COUNTY OF RESIDENCE.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

Section 1.  G.S. 122C-251(h) reads as rewritten:
"(h)	The cost and expenses of transporting a respondent to or from a 24-hour facility is the responsibility of the county of residence of the respondent.  The State (when providing transportation under G.S. 122C-408(b)), a city, or a county is entitled to recover the reasonable cost of transportation from the county of residence of the respondent.  The county of residence of the respondent shall reimburse the State, another county, or a city the reasonable transportation costs incurred as authorized by this subsection.  The county of residence of the respondent is entitled to recover the reasonable cost of transportation it has paid to the State, a city, or a county.  Provided that the respondent or other individual liable for the respondent's support is provided a reasonable notice and opportunity to object to the reimbursement.  The county of residence of the respondent may recover that cost from:
(1)	The respondent, if the respondent is not indigent;
(2)	Any person or entity that is legally liable for the resident's support and maintenance provided there is sufficient property to pay the cost;
(3)	Any person or entity that is contractually responsible for the cost; or
(4)	Any person or entity that otherwise is liable under federal, State, or local law for the cost."
Section 2. This act is effective when it becomes law.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 10th day of June, 1999.

s/	Dennis A. Wicker
President of the Senate

s/	James B. Black
Speaker of the House of Representatives

s/	James B. Hunt, Jr.
Governor

Approved 1:18 p.m. this 21st day of June, 1999