Part I.

Title the act, “Freedom from Fentanyl Act.”

Part II.

Enacts new GS 14-401.28 making it a Class 2 misdemeanor for any person, firm, or corporation to sell or purchase any vapor products within 1,000 linear feet of the property line of: (1) a church, chapel, meetinghouse, synagogue, temple, longhouse, or mosque, or other building that is regularly used, and clearly identifiable, as a place for religious worship; (2) a child care facility; (3) a public school unit, or any nonpublic school; (4) a community college under the jurisdiction of the State Board of Community Colleges; or (5) the facilities of The University of North Carolina and the grounds of those facilities. Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2024.

Part III.

Creates the Fentanyl Misuse Task Force, consisting of representatives of the 12 specified entities, to study and make recommendations to the NCGA and Governor on ways to combat fentanyl misuse in the state. Sets out provisions governing election of a chair, meetings, quorums, and expenses. Requires a interim report to the 2025 General Assembly when it convenes in 2026 and a final report to the 2027 General Assembly and terminates the Task Force upon filing of the final report.

Part IV.

Effective July 1, 2024, appropriates $15 million in recurring funds for 2024-25 from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health (Division), to purchase opioid-related antagonists and reduce the number of opioid-related deaths.

Requires local health departments that receive the opioid antagonists to distribute them for free to state residents. Requires the Division to collaborate with local health departments to ensure efficient and widespread distribution of the opioid antagonists.