The North Carolina General Assembly with the passage of Senate Bill 479 created the North Carolina Senior Tar Heel Legislature (STHL) in July of 1993.
The Senior Tar Heel Legislature was created to:
- Provide information to senior citizens on the legislative process and matters being considered by the North Carolina General Assembly.
- Promote citizen involvement and advocacy concerning aging issues before the North Carolina General Assembly.
- Assess the legislative needs of older citizens by convening a forum modeled after the North Carolina General Assembly.
Each of the 100 North Carolina counties is entitled to one delegate to the STHL. Most counties also have an alternate delegate. Delegates and alternates must be age 60 or older and residents of their respective county. The North Carolina Division of Aging and Adult Services provides staff support for the STHL in cooperation with the 17 Area Agencies on Aging. Delegates and alternates are appointed by the Board of County Commissioners in which they reside.
Senior Tar Heel Legislators meet three times a year – March, June and October, usually in Raleigh, to advocate on behalf of older persons. They have four officers: Speaker, Speaker Pro Tempore, Deputy Speaker Pro Tempore, and Secretary.
Each year the legislators choose the top five legislative priorities (see below for current priorities). Delegates and alternates from each county advocate with the North Carolina General Assembly for the passage of legislation to improve the lives of older adults.
For more information visit the STHL website or contact your local representative.
Contact
Kayla White
Aging Program Specialist
Phone: (252) 404-7088