For the purpose of assisting blind and visually impaired persons to become self-supporting the Department of Health and Human Services may carry on activities to promote the rehabilitation and employment of the blind and visually impaired, including employment in or the operation of various business enterprises suitable for the blind and visually impaired. The Executive Budget Act applies to the operation of these enterprises as to all appropriations made by the State to aid in the organization and the establishment of these businesses. Purchases and sales of merchandise or equipment, the payment of rents and wages to blind and visually impaired persons operating these businesses, and other expenses of these businesses from funds derived from local subscriptions and from the day-by-day operations are not subject to the provisions of law regulating purchases and contracts, or to the deposit and disbursement that apply to State funds but shall be supervised by the Department of Health and Human Services. All of the business operations under this law are subject to the oversight of the State Auditor pursuant to Article 5A of Chapter 147 of the N.C. Gen. Stat..

Randolph-Sheppard vendors are not State employees. Blind licensees operating vending facilities under contract with the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Services for the Blind, are independent contractors. (1945, c. 72, s. 2; 1971, c. 1025, s. 1; 1973, c. 476, s. 143; 1983, c. 867, s. 1; 1993, c. 257, s. 9; 1997-443, s. 11A.118(a); 2000-121, s. 17.)