North Carolina Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services

History of the Commission

The Commission was established as part of the Executive Organization Act of 1973. That act is now set forth in North Carolina General Statute §143B-147. The Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Act of 1985 extended the powers and duties of the Commission in North Carolina General Statute §122C-26. Session Law 2001-437, House Bill 381, An Act to Phase in Implementation of Mental Health System Reform at the State and Local Level, commonly referred to as the Mental Health Reform Legislation, further amended the powers and duties of the Commission. Current versions of each statute referred to in the original legislation can be located via the General Statutes link on the North Carolina General Assembly's webpage.

Links to the statutes and Session Law described above are provided below.
N.C.G.S. § 143B-147
Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services Act of 1985
Session Law 2001-437, HB 381: Mental Health Reform Legislation

Commission Organization and Membership

Membership in the Commission is governed by North Carolina General Statute § 143B-148. By statute, there are 32 members of the Commission. Each member represents a specific appointment category identified in the statute and a congressional district of our state. The Governor appoints 24 members of the Commission while the General Assembly appoints the remaining eight. Of the appointees from the General Assembly, four appointments are made on the recommendation of the Speaker of the House and four on the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. The Governor appoints the Chair of the Commission. Commission members serve until their own terms expire and until those who will replace them have been appointed and have completed all requirements of the State Ethics Commission. The Commission roster reflects the current membership of the Commission as well as the appointing body, the appointment category, and, where known, the congressional district of each appointee.
Commission Roster

The Commission established the Rules Committee as well as the Advisory Committee to carry out its two primary functions: rulemaking and serving in an advisory capacity to the Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Committee membership is comprised of current members of the Commission who are appointed to the committees by the Chair of the Commission.
Rules Committee Roster
Advisory Committe Roster

Division Staff

The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services provides staff support to the Commission. Support is provided by the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services.
DMH/DD/SUS Staff Roster