GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2007

H                                                                                                                                                    1

HOUSE BILL 1644

Short Title:     Future Uses of Dorothea Dix Hosp. Campus.		(Public)
Sponsors:	Representatives Ross, Weiss, Insko, Coleman (Primary Sponsors);  Avila, Blue, Brown, Dollar, Glazier, T. Harrell, Harrison, Martin, and Stam.
Referred to:	Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House.

April 19, 2007

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT regarding the future use of the dorothea Dix hospital property campus and support for mental health services.

Whereas, the land and improvements that comprise the Dorothea Dix Hospital Property Campus (Dix Campus) have been owned by the State of North Carolina for more than 150 years, and during that time, the Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Hospital has provided services to the State's citizens who suffer from severe mental illness; and

Whereas, many of the improvements located on the Dix Campus are included in the National Registry of Historic Places; and

Whereas, the Dix Campus has unique topography in that it includes extensive open space, is within one mile of the State capital, and overlooks downtown Raleigh; and

Whereas, the State may cease to use the Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Hospital when the new Central Regional Psychiatric Hospital becomes operational; Now therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  It is the intent of the General Assembly that if the State ceases to use the Dorothea Dix Psychiatric Hospital to provide mental health services, the land and improvements that constitute the Dorothea Dix Hospital Property Campus be utilized in the future as follows:

(1)       That the Dorothea Dix Hospital Property Campus or significant portions thereof be set aside for the creation of a potential park district;

(2)       That the historic buildings located on the Dorothea Dix Hospital Property Campus be renovated and rehabilitated in a manner that is economically feasible and that supports the other objectives stated in this act; and

(3)       That the uses provided for in subdivisions (1) and (2) of this section generate significant revenues that shall be used to support mental health services throughout the State.

SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.