Allow Live-In Direct Support Professionals in Group Homes.

2025-2026 Session Introduced by Allen Buansi and 8 co-sponsors

HB 743 would permit live-in direct support professionals to reside in eligible North Carolina group homes to boost staffing stability and continuity of care.

Withdrawn From Com

#dhhs;grouphomes;healthservices;public;reports

Purpose / Intent

HB 743 would authorize the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR), to adopt rules allowing direct support professionals (DSPs) who provide services to residents of certain licensed group homes to permanently reside in those facilities. The stated goal is to permit a live‑in staffing model for DSPs in order to address staffing, continuity of care, and residential support needs.

Key provisions

DHSR rulemaking: Directs DHSR to adopt whatever rules are necessary to permit DSPs who are providing services to a client in a facility licensed under 10A NCAC 27G .5601(c)(3) to permanently reside in that facility.

Reporting requirement: DHSR must report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services by September 30, 2025, on progress implementing the rule changes and include any legislative changes DHSR requests.

Effective date: The act would become effective upon becoming law.

Who would be affected

Direct support professionals (DSPs): Permits DSPs to live onsite in eligible group homes, potentially changing work schedules, compensation, and employment arrangements.

Group home operators / licensed providers: Would need to update policies, seek DHSR approvals or comply with new rules, and address operational issues (housing, supervision, liability, wages).

Residents and families: Potential for increased continuity of care and on‑site supervision; also raises privacy and household dynamics considerations.

DHSR / DHHS and legislative oversight: Responsible for rule development, implementation oversight, and reporting.

Timeline / Procedural notes

Introduced November 12, 2024. The bill required DHSR rulemaking and a progress report due September 30, 2025.

Current status (as provided): Withdrawn from committee. Because it was withdrawn, the rulemaking and reporting requirements would not take effect unless the bill is reintroduced or similar language is enacted.

Potential impacts and considerations

Benefits: May improve staffing stability, emergency response, and continuity of support for residents.

Regulatory and operational issues: Rulemaking will need to address staff housing standards, resident privacy, supervision, staff work‑hours and compensation, fire/health/safety compliance, and licensing oversight.

Financial and liability implications: Providers may incur costs to modify homes, and employer/employee housing and wage rules may apply; insurers and DHSR will need to assess liability/responsibility.

Stakeholder input: Effective implementation would likely require input from providers, DSPs, residents/families, licensing and public safety agencies, and local zoning authorities.

If you want, I can extract the exact DHSR licensing citation (10A NCAC 27G .5601(c)(3)) and summarize how that rule currently defines the covered facility type, or draft a short briefing memo for DHSR rule‑writers identifying issues they should address in any implementing regulations.

Bill