House Bill 743 would direct the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Service Regulation, to adopt rules allowing direct support professionals who serve clients in certain licensed group homes to permanently live in those facilities. The bill is aimed at facilities licensed under 10A NCAC 27G .5601(c)(3), which are a type of group home setting serving individuals who need ongoing support. In practical terms, the measure would create a legal pathway for live-in direct support staff in these homes, rather than treating staff residency as prohibited or outside current rules.
The bill also requires DHSR to report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services by September 30, 2025, on implementation progress and any needed legislative changes. The act would take effect immediately upon becoming law. Overall, the bill is a regulatory change focused on staffing flexibility and residential care operations in the developmental disability and behavioral health group home system.
HB743 would affect state administrative rules governing licensed group homes by requiring DHSR to revise regulations so direct support professionals may reside permanently in certain facilities. It would primarily affect group home operators, direct support staff, and clients receiving services in those homes, potentially expanding staffing options and improving continuity of care. The bill does not directly amend a statute in the text, but it would compel agency rulemaking and could lead to future legislative recommendations based on DHSR’s required report.
The available record suggests the bill is being treated as a practical, service-oriented measure rather than a controversial policy change. There are no recorded committee transcripts or votes in the provided materials, and the bill was referred and then re-referred to the House Health Committee, indicating it is still in the committee process. The sponsor lineup and the bill’s narrow operational focus suggest generally favorable or at least exploratory interest in addressing staffing needs in group homes.
No specific objections are documented in the provided materials, but the likely areas of concern are the operational and regulatory implications of allowing staff to permanently reside in licensed care facilities. Potential issues could include resident privacy, facility oversight, staffing boundaries, and compliance with licensing standards. Any contention would likely come from regulators, facility operators, or advocates weighing the benefits of improved staffing stability against concerns about safety, supervision, and the distinction between employee and resident roles.