In the last week of the legislative session, legislators introduced and passed House Bill 103, 2022 Appropriations Act. North Carolina House and Senate leadership worked on the budget behind closed doors and did not take amendments in committee nor on the chambers’ floors. NASW-NC is disappointed that more social work priorities were not included in the budget. Additional funding for school social workers ($15 million in recurring funds as requested by the State Board of Education) and Medicaid Expansion were not in the final proposal passed by lawmakers. The budget was sent to the Governor to sign into law. NASW-NC is unsure if the Governor will sign the budget deal, veto it, or let it become law without his signature.
A note about the budget: since this was a short session year, this year’s budget was a technical adjustment of the state budget passed in November 2021. Because of this, the budget was not as detailed as the one passed in 2021 and instead made adjustments based on extra revenue the state incurred.
The budget does appropriate $1.3 million in recurring funds for the new 9-8-8 Crisis Helpline to meet the anticipated call volume when the helpline is implemented in July 2022. Learn more about 9-8-8 from NASW!
Health Information Exchange Authority
One major impact for clinical social workers that was included in the budget is a provision regarding the Health Information Exchange Authority (HIEA). The budget directs the HIEA to submit a report on their network to legislators by March 31, 2023. This report must include an update regarding the connectivity status of providers to connect to and submit data. The report can also make additional recommendations regarding appropriate features or actions, including legislative or administrative proposals, to support enforcement and enhancement of the HIE Network.
The budget includes a provision that connecting to and submitting data through the HIE Network shall not be a condition precedent to the receipt of State funds, including Medicaid funds, by any provider until a bill designating a lead agency responsible for enforcement of the Statewide Health Information Exchange Act is enacted into law. If the budget passes, this will be huge for social workers who are required to connect to the HIEA by January 1, 2023 or risk not getting paid.
School Social Work Raises and Monthly Supplements
Confusion remains for what impact the state budget has on school social workers. However, what we do know is that the budget did not provide for $15 million in recurring dollars to increase the number of school social workers across the state. This comes after the State Board of Education voted to approve the recurring funds as part of their budget priorities given to legislators ahead of the legislative session.
The budget did provide additional increases to the salaries of teachers and school social workers. Raises are given based on years of experience. On average, legislators say school employees can see a 2.5% to 7% raise depending on where they are in schedule.
In addition, school social workers who are classified as "M" will receive a salary supplement each month of 10% of their monthly salary on the "A" salary schedule.
Small counties and low wealth counties can receive a signing bonus for anyone that accepts employment during the 2022-2023 school year.
Legislators did adjust the amount of funding for the school safety competitive grant program established to support students in crisis, school safety training, and safety equipment in schools, for a total of $41.7 million.
Medicaid Expansion
Medicaid Expansion was not provided for in the state budget. The North Carolina House surprised many this week by taking their Medicaid Expansion plan that was introduced the previous week in House Health Committee for a vote. The bill, Senate Bill 408, passed the House with a vote of 102-6. However, the Senate has indicated that they do not intend to take up the House’s version of Medicaid Expansion after they passed their plan in May.
Crisis Pregnancy Centers
Additional funding (approximately $3 million) was provided to nonprofit pregnancy centers. These Centers do not provide comprehensive pre/post-natal care nor OBGYN services.
When will legislators return? Legislators passed Senate Joint Resolution 917 on Friday, July 1. The bill allows legislators to return from July 26-28 to take up any vetoes by the Governor, bills related to election laws, appointments to committees, and a few other stipulations. After July, legislators could also return from August 23-25, September 20-22, October 18-20, November 15-17, and December 13. The reason for these session dates is so legislators can come and go as needed and to take up matters until they officially adjourn for the 2022 legislative session. Despite the dates, legislators could decide not to meet nor take up any legislation during these monthly session dates.
To end this update on a high note, on Tuesday, June 28, Representative Graig Meyer, MSW had the Speaker of the House recognize and extend courtesies of the Gallery to Lynne Walter, MSW as the awardee of the 2022 NASW-NC Myrna Miller Wellons Advocate of the Year Award winner. With all that is going on in the country, it was great to celebrate Lynne’s work and the reason she was awarded this in March 2022. Learn more about Lynne on our website!
