NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY
1963 SESSION

CHAPTER 669
HOUSE BILL 797

AN ACT TO CREATE A COUNCIL ON MENTAL RETARDATION.

The General Assembly of North Carolina do enact:

Section 1.  There is hereby created a Council on Mental Retardation to be appointed by the Governor and composed of the following members: two persons who at the time of their appointment are members of the House of Representatives; two persons who at the time of their appointment are members of the Senate; a representative of the State Board of Health; a representative of the Department of Mental Health; a representative of the State Board of Public Welfare; a representative of the State Board of Education; a representative of the State Board of Correction and Training; a representative of the North Carolina Association for Retarded Children; and eight other persons who shall be selected without regard to employment or professional association. Of the members appointed from the General Assembly, the initial appointments of one member from the House of Representatives and of one member from the Senate shall be for a term of two (2) years. The remaining member from the House of Representatives and the remaining member from the Senate shall serve for a term of four (4) years. The member from the North Carolina Association of Retarded Children shall serve for a term of four (4) years. The members appointed from among the State boards and departments shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor. Of the remaining eight members, the initial appointments shall be as follows: two members shall serve for a term of one (1) year; two members shall serve for a term of two (2) years; two members shall serve for a term of three (3) years; and two members shall serve for a term of four (4) years. Thereafter, the appointments of all members, with the exception of those from the State boards and departments, shall be for terms of four (4) years.
The Council on Mental Retardation shall choose its own chairman.
Sec. 2.  The function of the Council on Mental Retardation shall be to study ways and means of promoting public understanding of mental retardation problems in North Carolina; to consider the need for new State programs and laws in the field of mental retardation; and to make recommendations to and advise the Governor on matters relating to mental retardation. The Council shall meet at least four times a year and shall file an annual report with the Governor.
Sec. 3.  The members of the Council on Mental Retardation shall receive for their services the same per diem and allowances as are granted members of State boards and commissions generally.
Sec. 4.  The members of the Council on Mental Retardation shall not be considered State officials within the meaning of Article XIV, Section 7 of the North Carolina Constitution.
Sec. 5.  All operating expenses of the Commission not provided for by legislative appropriation shall be paid from the Contingency and Emergency Fund upon application in the manner prescribed in G.S. 43-12.
Sec. 6.  All laws and clauses of laws in conflict with this Act are hereby repealed.
Sec. 7.  This Act shall be effective on and after July 1, 1963.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 4th day of June, 1963.