NC Senate Bill Proposes Cutting Adult Care Home Inspections
Republican senator proposes eliminating certain adult care home inspections, citing duplication among agencies despite state health officials’ safety concerns.
RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA — A Republican senator is advancing legislation to eliminate certain inspections of adult care homes in North Carolina, arguing that current oversight involves too much duplication among state and local agencies.
Sen. Jim Burgin (R-Harnett) introduced Senate Bill 863 after discussions with home operators who complained about redundant inspections. The Senate Health Care Committee endorsed the measure Wednesday despite concerns from state health officials.
“When we’re inspecting for pest control eight times, we need to have a conversation,” Burgin told the committee. He emphasized that his goal is not to compromise resident safety but to address overlapping inspection responsibilities among multiple agencies.
State Health Department Raises Concerns
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has expressed reservations about the proposed changes. Janssen White, DHHS assistant secretary for government affairs, declined to answer reporters’ questions after the committee meeting and referred them to the agency’s communications office.
In an emailed statement, DHHS said that with any legislation affecting adult care homes, “we want to ensure there is no negative impact on resident safety at these facilities. NCDHHS will continue to work collaboratively with our partners at the NCGA throughout the legislative process.”
Democratic Opposition and Next Steps
Sen. Julie Mayfield (D-Buncombe) suggested the bill should be referred to a study committee or oversight committee for more detailed examination before moving forward.
“I think I understand what you’re trying to do,” Mayfield said during the committee hearing. “This also seems very broad.”
The committee did not act on her suggestion to delay the bill for further study. Burgin indicated that work on the legislation will continue and that the bill is likely to undergo changes as it moves through the legislative process.
Adult care homes provide services for people who have difficulty with activities of daily living but do not require the level of care provided in nursing homes. The facilities serve thousands of North Carolina residents who need assistance with basic tasks while maintaining some level of independence.
The bill comes as lawmakers continue examining regulations across various industries, with Republican legislators frequently citing concerns about regulatory burden on businesses. The measure will need approval from the full Senate before advancing to the House.
