House Bill 120 appropriates recurring General Fund money to the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services, to expand the Project Caregiver Alternatives to Running on Empty (Project C.A.R.E.) program. The bill provides $2,073,847 in recurring funds for each of fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027.
Project C.A.R.E. is a support program for family caregivers of people living with Alzheimer’s disease or other related dementias. By increasing funding, the bill is intended to expand caregiver support services, which may include assistance, education, and other resources for families caring for individuals with dementia. The act would take effect July 1, 2025.
Impact
The bill would amend state spending by adding recurring appropriations from the General Fund to DHHS for the Division of Aging and Adult Services. It does not create a new regulatory program or change eligibility rules in the text provided, but it would increase state support for caregiver services tied to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The practical effect would be to expand the reach or capacity of Project C.A.R.E. and the families who rely on it.
Sentiment
The available record suggests generally positive or supportive sentiment, as reflected by the committee substitute favorable action and the absence of recorded opposition, votes, or transcript debate in the provided materials. The bill’s purpose is narrowly focused on caregiver assistance and dementia support, which typically draws bipartisan interest in health and aging policy. No contrary positions are documented in the materials provided.
Contention
No specific points of contention are shown in the provided bill history or transcripts. Potential areas of debate, if any, would likely concern the recurring cost to the General Fund, the size of the appropriation, and whether the funding level is sufficient to meet caregiver needs. However, the supplied materials do not identify any member, committee, or stakeholder raising objections.