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QUICK LINKSSenior Tarheel Legislature
The NCSTHL logo and then Senator Beverly Perdue sponsors the bill to create the NC Senior Tarheel Legislature. (NCSTHL website)
The Senior Tarheel Legislature (NC STHL) is a group of volunteer older adults from acrosss the State of North Carolina that advocate with the members of the NC General Assembly on behalf of older adults. The members of the NC STHL help the local Area Agencies on Aging in advocating for programs and services for older adults in North Carolina.
The North Carolina Senior Tar Heel Legislature was created by the North Carolina General Assembly with the passage of Senate Bill 479 in July of 1993 (G.S. 143B-181.55). Chief sponsor of the bill was Senator Beverly Perdue who currently serves as Governor of our state.
In advocating for their priority recommendations, the Senior Tar Heel Legislature collaborates with groups such as the N.C. Coalition on Aging, the Governor’s Advisory Council on Aging, AARP, Friends of Residents in Long Term Care, Inc., and other senior advocacy groups to educate the public regarding issues.
Learn more about the Senior Tarheel Legislature and how you can become active by clicking on the tabs below.
The bill authorizing the Senior Tarheel Legislature states the following purposes:
1. Provide information to senior citizens on the legislative process and matters being considered by the North Carolina General Assembly.
2. Promote citizens involvement and advocacy concerning aging issues before the North Carolina General Assembly.
3. Assess the legislative needs of older citizens by convening a forum modeled after the North Carolina General Assembly.
There is one delegate and one alternate to the Senior Tar Heel Legislature from each of the 100 counties in the state. Delegates and alternates must be age 60 or older.
Delegates serve for a two-year term but can serve an unlimited number of terms.
The NC Division of Aging provides staff support for the Senior Tar Heel Legislature in cooperation with the 17 Area Agencies on Aging who are responsible for conducting the selection of delegates and alternates. (STHL website)
Currently, the Senior Legislature meets three times a year, usually in Raleigh, to study issues, to hear from key resource persons and state officials, and to develop recommendations to present to the N.C. General Assembly. Meetings are held in March, June, and October. (STHL website)
Issues Committees of the Senior Tar Heel Legislature are: Crime/Safety/Security, Enrichment Opportunities, General Legislation, Health, Long Term Care, and System/Service Access. All delegates are assigned to an Issues Committee. (STHL website)
Standing Committees of the Senior Tar Heel Legislature are:
Advocacy, Elections and Credentials, Finance, Public Relations, Resolutions, and Rules and By-laws.
Among the key actions that the General Assembly has taken on recommendations include the following:
Expanded Medicaid coverage to older and disabled adults eligible forSupplemental Security Income and to those with incomes up to 100% of the federal poverty level.
Increased funding for home and community based services from $9,232,454 in 1992 to $59,850,958 in 2009.
Increased the Homestead Property Tax Exemption.
Began a prescription drug assistance program that evolved into the current N.C. Senior Care prescription assistance program funded by the Health and Wellness Trust Fund Commission.
Passed legislation to require criminal background checks of employees in adult care homes, nursing homes, and home care agencies.
Passed legislation to provide for a long term care insurance option for active and retired state employees and their dependents as well as retired local government employees and their dependents (cost of coverage to be paid by employee) and to provide an individual income tax credit for the purchase of long term care insurance.
Appropriated funding for the support of Area Agencies on Aging.
Expanded funding to improve the timeliness of complaint investigations and monitoring in long-term care facilities.
Increased funding to expand adult protective services in the state.
Provided funding to ensure that the Medicaid Community Alternatives Program for Disabled Adults (CAP/DA) remains a viable service for older and disabled adults in the state.
Passed legislation to increase consumer protections in the areas of telemarketing fraud and predatory lending.
Provided funding to ensure the continuation of Project C.A.R.E. (Caregiver Alternatives to Running on Empty)
Contact Margaret Kelly at the Lumber River AAA.