H.B. 846
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
Apr 24, 2023
SESSION 2023 HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK
H D
HOUSE BILL DRH40425-LUa-130
Short Title: Funds for NC Pre-K and Smart Start. (Public)
Sponsors: Representative von Haefen.
Referred to:
1 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
2 AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR THE NORTH CAROLINA
3 PREKINDERGARTEN (NC PRE-K) PROGRAM AND THE NORTH CAROLINA
4 PARTNERSHIP FOR CHILDREN, INC., (SMART START) AND TO SET THE
5 ADMINISTRATIVE CAP FOR NC PRE-K AND SMART START AT TEN PERCENT.
6 The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
7 SECTION 1.(a) There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of
8 Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education, the sum of
9 one hundred eighty million dollars ($180,000,000) in recurring funds for each year of the
10 2023-2025 fiscal biennium to increase investment in the North Carolina Prekindergarten (NC
11 Pre-K) program. These funds shall be used to increase reimbursement and administrative rates
12 to improve access to the program.
13 SECTION 1.(b) Section 9C.1 of S.L. 2021-180 is amended by adding a new
14 subsection to read:
15 "SECTION 9C.1.(h) Administration. – The Division of Child Development and Early
16 Education may use up to ten percent (10%) of the State funds appropriated for the NC Pre-K
17 program for administrative costs."
18 SECTION 2.(a) There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of
19 Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education, the sum of
20 thirty million dollars ($30,000,000) in recurring funds for each year of the 2023-2025 fiscal
21 biennium to increase funding for the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc.
22 SECTION 2.(b) There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of
23 Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education, the sum of six
24 million dollars ($6,000,000) in recurring funds for each year of the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium
25 for the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., to provide training and coaching for early
26 childhood teachers, with a coordinated delivery model, to ensure all child care centers at every
27 star-rating level across the State receive critical technical assistance.
28 SECTION 2.(c) Section 9C.6(b) of S.L. 2021-180, as amended by Section 9C.2 of
29 S.L. 2022-74, reads as rewritten:
30 "SECTION 9C.6.(b) Administration. – Administrative costs shall be equivalent to, on an
31 average statewide basis for all local partnerships, not more than nine percent (9%) ten percent
32 (10%) of the total statewide allocation to all local partnerships. For purposes of this subsection,
33 administrative costs shall include costs associated with partnership oversight, business and
34 financial management, general accounting, human resources, budgeting, purchasing, contracting,
35 and information systems management. The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., shall
36 continue using a single statewide contract management system that incorporates features of the
*DRH40425-LUa-130*
 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2023
1 required standard fiscal accountability plan described in G.S. 143B-168.12(a)(4). All local
2 partnerships are required to participate in the contract management system and, directed by the
3 North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., to collaborate, to the fullest extent possible, with
4 other local partnerships to increase efficiency and effectiveness."
5 SECTION 3. This act becomes effective July 1, 2023.
Page 2 DRH40425-LUa-130