114-53. Duties.

The Council shall meet at least quarterly and shall perform the following duties:

(1) Study and document current financial education programs in North Carolina and best practices across the country.

(2) Coordinate activities related to financial education and asset building that occur within various government agencies, private enterprise, and the nonprofit sector to ensure dissemination of resources and information to households across the State.

(3) Propose public and private policy, organizational changes, and systemic changes to ensure all North Carolinians have access to training about necessary financial skills and experience with financial services.

(4) Consider and make recommendations specifically to address the following issues:

a. Current personal financial literacy programs in the public schools and how to integrate financial education in K-12 to ensure that young people are prepared for financial success.

b. Unique financial issues facing students in higher education and how to address those issues through the community colleges and public and private university systems.

c. Creation of and access to financial products that provide hands-on learning of financial skills.

(5) Monitor the outcomes of financial education programs, focusing specifically on the following indicators: improved financial knowledge, improved financial behaviors, and increased access to and use of affordable financial services.

(6) Use the talents, expertise, and resources within the State, especially those of the public schools, community colleges, and public and private university systems, as well as the bank and credit union industries, to further its mission.

(7) Report annually to the General Assembly and the Governor on the performance of its prescribed duties and on the impact of the financial education activities conducted by State agencies.