Part I. 

Renames the catchline to GS 90-210.22 to Board of Funeral Service (Funeral Board) (currently, Required Meetings of the Board).  Recodifies GS 90-210.19 (Funeral Board members’ oath of office) to GS 90-210.22(b). Recodifies the following provisions: (1) GS 90-210.18A(b), (c), and (d) (Funeral Board creation and membership, vacancies, and removal) as GS 90-210.22(a), (f), and (g), respectively; (2) GS 90-210.23(b) and (c) (Funeral Board officers and limited compensation) into GS 90-210.22(c) and (e), respectively; (3) GS 90-210.25(c)(3) (definition of transportation or removal of a dead human body)as GS 90-210.20(22).

Renames the catchline of GS 90-210.18A as amended by the recodifications provision of the act to State policy on the practice of funeral service (currently, Funeral Board created; qualifications; vacancies; removal) and makes a technical change.

Removes burial and dead human bodies from GS 90-210.20 (definitions pertaining to the practice of funeral services), as amended by the recodifications provision of the act. Removes provisions authorizing a different meaning of the defined terms when required by context.  Adds human remains, reduced human remains, reduction, reduction facility, reduction licensee, transportation or removal permit, and transportation or removal service permit. Replaces references to dead human body with human remains throughout. Removes provision not requiring a branch establishment to contain a preparation room so that it is defined as funeral establishment that serves as an ancillary facility to a principal funeral establishment.  Removes limitation in embalming that ritual washing of human remains required by religious practices be handled in a manner that conforms to GS 130A-395 (handling and limitation of bodies). Expands facility requirements for embalming facility so that it has to be located on property that is not contiguous with the premises of the  funeral establishment and has a different physical address than the funeral establishment. Replaces reference to cremation with reduction in embalming fluid. Removes undertakers and licensed funeral directors from the users listed in the definition and adds funeral service licensee.  Replaces reference to “crematory operations” with “reduction facility operations” in entry-level examination in funeral directing. Requires that a funeral establishment have its structures on a contiguous piece of property.  Clarifies that funeral service is any activity regulated by Articles 13A or 13D of GS Chapter 90, including the described activities relating to human remains and the sale of funeral supplies to the public or financial arrangements for the sale of funeral supplies.  Narrows the definition of funeral service licensee to a person who is licensed and engaged in both funeral directing and embalming (was, funeral service).  Expands the ancillary locations under principal funeral establishment to include embalming facilities. Replaces reference to GS Chapter 90 with Article 13A in resident trainee. Replaces reference to “crematory” with “reduction facility” in transportation or removal of human remains. Makes conforming, organizational, clarifying, and technical changes throughout GS 90-210.20.

Specifies that Funeral Board compensation can also be paid from funds received from Articles 13D, 13E, and 13F of GS Chapter 90 and makes technical and clarifying changes to GS 90-210.22, as amended by the act.

Makes the following changes to GS 90-210.23, as amended by the act. Reorganizes provisions of GS 90-210-25(c)(10) (transport and handling of human remains), GS 90-210.28 (fees), and GS 90-210-25(g)(enforcement) into the section. Replaces references to crematories and alkaline hydrolysis licensees with “reduction facility.” Removes Funeral Board authority to establish schools for resident trainees. Limits the types of collateral the Funeral Board may pledge for a real estate encumbrance to its assets, income, and revenues. Specifies that the Funeral Board can hold hearings in line with the provisions GS Chapter 150B (the APA) as well as Article 13A of GS Chapter 90. Allows the Funeral Board to recover its attorneys’ fees under the described APA show cause hearing if it imposes discipline against a licensee. Limits the attorneys’ fees to $5,000 or less.

Removes provisions: (1) pertaining to when inspections should be conducted and the obligation of a person under inspection to furnish relevant information to the Funeral Board’s request and (2) reinspection fees.  Reorganizes those provisions into GS 90-210.24 (inspectors and inspections [was, inspectors]).  Expands the body of law triggering enforcement action by the Funeral Board’s inspectors to include rules adopted by the Funeral Board under Articles 13D (Preneed Funeral Funds) and 13F (Cremations and Alkaline Hydrosis) of GS Chapter 90 (was, rules adopted under Article 13A of GS Chapter 90).  Enlarges the types of individuals whose criminal and probation records are subject to inspection to include permit holders, resident trainees, and applicants for permits and registrations. Limits the inspector’s authority to perform other duties to those prescribed by the Funeral Board (was, prescribed or ordered by the Funeral Board).

Makes conforming, technical, organizational, and clarifying changes to both GS 90-210.23 and 90-210.24.

Specifies, in GS 90-210.25, that an applicant for a license, permit, or resident traineeship bears the burden of substantiating to the satisfaction of the Funeral Board that they are qualified to do so. Adds four tasks to the applicant’s obligations when submitting an application to the Funeral Board, including paying any required fee, submitting the application on a form and signing it under oath, and consenting to a criminal background check, as described.

Recodifies GS 90-210.25(a)(3) as new GS 90-210.25D and makes the following changes. Names the new section qualifications for license to practice as a funeral service licensee. Replaces references to “dead human body” with “human remains” Makes technical, organizational, and conforming changes.

Recodifies GS 90-210.25(a)(1) and (a)(3a) as new GS 90-210.25E (a) and (b), respectively and makes the following changes. Requires that any program that satisfies the education requirement be either approved by the Funeral Board or accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education. Names GS 90-210.25E qualifications for license or provisional license to practice funeral directing. Replaces references to “dead human body” with “human remains”  Removes provisions pertaining to fees, annual expiration of provisional licenses, and continuing education requirements for provisional license holders. Makes conforming, organizational, and technical changes.

Recodifies GS 90-210.25(a2) as new GS 90-210.25F (requirements for practicing as a funeral director or funeral service licensee) and makes the following changes. Removes provisions set to be repealed effective July 1, 2030. Makes conforming, organizational, and technical changes.

Recodifies GS 90-210.25(a)(2) and (d1) as new GS 90-210.25G (qualifications for license to practice embalming; facility registration), and makes the following changes. Replaces references to “dead human body” with “human remains.” Makes conforming, organizational, and technical changes.

Enacts GS 90-210.25H (examinations) that allows the Funeral Board, by rule, to recognized exams it has not prepared as equivalent to its own exams. Reorganizes provision from GS 90-210.25(a)(5) pertaining to third-party administration of exams into new section.

Recodifies GS 90-210.29(a) and GS 90-210.23(g) as new GS 90-210.25I (a) and (b),and makes the following changes. Names the section mortuary school students and school privileges. Replaces references to “dead human body” with “human remains.” Makes clarifying and technical changes.  

Recodifies GS 90-210.25(b)(1) and (b)(3) as new GS 90-210.25J(a) and (b), respectively, and makes the following changes. Titles the section applicants titled in other states; courtesy cards. Removes reference to rules governing the profession as part of the required entrance exam. Replaces references to “dead human body” with “human remains.” Makes conforming, clarifying, and technical changes. 

Enacts GS 210.25K (continuing education required of funeral service, funeral director and embalmer licenses), consisting of GS 90-210.25(a)(5)c. through f. Makes the following changes. Removes $50 limit on CE registration fee. Allows the Funeral Board to meet the CE expenses from funds received under Articles 13D, 13E, and 13F, in addition to Article 13A of GS Chapter 90.  Makes conforming, clarifying, and technical changes. 

Recodifies GS 90-210.25(a)(4) as new GS 90-210.25L (resident traineeship for licensure as a funeral service licensee, funeral director, or embalmer) and makes the following changes. Removes references to application form and contents. Requires supervisors or resident trainees to register with the Funeral Board. Clarifies that the trainee period is twelve months. Reduces the time that has elapsed since training from five to three years for a trainee to not be able to receive credit for the 12-month training. Removes $50 limit on late fees. Replaces references to “human bodies” with “human remains.” Makes organizational, conforming, clarifying, and technical changes. 

Recodifies GS 90-210.25(a1) as new GS 90-210.25M (inactive licensees and trainees) and makes the following changes. Authorizes a resident trainee to place their traineeship on inactive status, as described. Makes technical changes.

Recodifies the first two sentences of GS 90- 210.25(d)(1), (d)(2), and (d)(5) as new GS 90-210.25N (a), (b), and (d), respectively (requirement and qualifications for funeral establishment permit), and makes the following changes. Provides for a permit application. Removes provisions requiring conspicuous display of the permit and definition of funeral establishment under GS 90-210.25N. Makes conforming, clarifying, organizational, and technical changes.

Recodifies GS 90-210.27A(e), (f), (g), (i), and the last three sentences of GS 90-210.25(d)(1) as new GS 90-210.25O(a), (b)(1), (c), (b)(2), and (d), respectively, and makes the following changes. Titles the section ownership, naming, and management of funeral establishment. Requires a funeral establishment to register its name with the Funeral Board. Prevents a funeral establishment from using any other name than its registered name.  Makes conforming, technical, and clarifying changes.

Makes the following changes to GS 90-210.27A as amended by the provisions above. Changes the section title to operation of funeral establishments (was, funeral establishments). Exempts branch establishments from requirements pertaining to preparation rooms. Expands persons allowed in a preparation room containing human remains to include a person designated in writing by an authorized person to arrange final disposition. Replaces references to “human bodies” with “human remains.” Replaces references to “crematory” with “reduction facility.” Removes reference to rules in provisions pertaining to compliance. Makes conforming, clarifying, and technical changes. 

Recodifies the second paragraph of GS 90-210.25(e) following subdivision (2) of that section as GS 90-210.27B (funeral establishment to ascertain certain desires regarding disposal of human remains), and makes the following changes. Replaces references to “dead human body” with “human remains.” Makes technical changes.

Recodifies GS 90-210.29A as GS 90-210.27C (identification of bodies before burial or reduction (was, cremation)) and makes the following changes. Replaces references to “dead human body” with “human remains.” Replaces reference to “cremation” with “reduction.” Makes technical changes.

Recodifies the first paragraph of GS 90-210.25(e) following subdivision (2) of that section as GS 90-210.27D (prohibitions concerning human remains) and makes the following changes. Prohibits persons from failing to treat human remains with respect at all times, including taking photo or video of human remains without the consent of a member of the decedent’s immediate family, next of kin, or other authorized agent. Replaces references to dead human body or body with human remains. Makes technical changes.

Recodifies GS 90-210.25C (notification forms for deceased voters) to GS 90-210.27E.

Recodifies the last two paragraphs of GS 90-210.25(e) as new GS 90-210.27F (disclosure of prices for funeral merchandise and services), and makes clarifying and technical changes.

Recodifies GS 90-210.25(e1) as new GS 90-210.27G (prohibitions on taking human tissue) and makes the following changes. Removes exception authorizing autopsy technician to take or recover tissue at a funeral establishment, as described. Replaces references to “dead human body” with “human remains.” Makes technical and clarifying changes.

Recodifies GS 90-210.25(c)(7)a. ,b., c., and e. as new GS 90-210.27H(a)(1), (3), (4) and (2) (individual permit for transportation and removal of human remains), and makes the following changes. Clarifies that a permit is required for the transport and removal human remains. Removes requirement that a person state under oath their understanding of the described laws. Requires permit holders to (1) notify the Funeral Board of any change in address within 30 days of the change and (2) notify the Funeral Board in writing before working for more than one business with a transportation and removal service permit, as described. Replaces references to “dead human body” with “human remains.” Makes organizational and technical changes.

Enacts GS 90-210.27I (business permit for transportation and removal of human remains), listing six requirements for permit holders, including described liability insurance, employment of at least one person who holds a transportation and removal permit, and notice requirements to the Funeral Board of described employee information, vehicle registration, and any changes to the required information.

Recodifies GS 90-210.25(c)(5) as new GS 90-210.27J (exemptions to permit requirements for transportation or removal of human remains), and adds the described funeral establishments and listed individuals (EMTs, etc.) under GS 90-210.27K to the list of persons exempt. Makes organizational, conforming, and technical changes.

Recodifies GS 90-210.25(c)(6) and (c)(9) as new GS 90-210.27K(b) and (a) (prohibitions when transporting or removing human remains). Replaces references to “dead human body” with “human remains.” Makes organizational, conforming, and technical changes.

Moves parts of GS 90-210.25(a)(5)a, (c)(1), (c)(4), and (d)(1) as new GS 90-210.27L (issuance and display of licenses, permits, and certificates), Makes clarifying, technical and organizational changes.

Recodifies GS 90-210.25(a)(5)b, parts of GS 90-210.25(a)(5)a., (c)(8), and (d)(3), as new GS 90-210.27M(c) (expiration and renewal of licenses and permits), and adds a February 1 deadline for submission of renewal applications to the Funeral Board, as described. Makes clarifying, technical and organizational changes.

Adds the following fees to GS 90-210.28:

• Provisional funeral director license: $500 application fee and $250 annual renewal fee;
• Transportation or removal permit: $200 application fee (individual) $300 application fee (business), $75 annual renewal fee; and $100 late renewal fee;
• CE course: $50 registration fee;
• Work report: $50 late fee.

Removes requirement that Funeral Board publish its rules and current statute relating to funeral practice on its website.

Recodifies GS 90-210.25(e)(1), except for the last paragraph, and the last paragraph of GS 90-210.25(c)(14) as new GS 90-210.28A(a) and (b), respectively. Titles section “grounds to refuse to issue or renew a license or permit or to take disciplinary action.” Expands person subject to an adverse action by the Funeral Board for the listed actions and upon a finding of unfitness to practice to include permit holders. Adds practicing funeral services, funeral directing, or embalming without a license to the list of actions triggering disciplinary action. Authorizes the Funeral Board to require satisfactory completion of remedial or education training as a prerequisite to reinstatement of license or permit. Replaces references to “dead human body” with “human remains.” Makes organizational, technical, conforming, and clarifying changes.

Recodifies the last paragraph of GS  90-210.25(e)(1) as new GS 90-210.28B(a), and makes the following changes. Titles the section “penalties.” Expands persons subject to civil penalties to include permit holders. Clarifies that reference to penalties in the statute means civil penalties. Requires that the clear proceeds of any such penalties imposed under Article 13A be remitted to the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund (Fund). Makes clarifying, technical and organizational changes.

Recodifies 90-210.25(e)(2) as new GS 90-210.28C (probation). Expands persons subject to probation to include permit holders. Removes provision authorizing the Funeral Board to require satisfactory completion of remedial or educational training as a reinstatement after probation. Makes technical and clarifying changes.

Recodifies 90-210.25(d)(4) as new GS 90-210.28D (disciplinary action against a business permit holder). Expands scope of statute to include other business permit holders beyond funeral establishments. Clarifies that reference to penalties in the statute means civil penalties. Makes technical and clarifying changes.

Recodifies 90-210.25(a)(5)h as new GS 90-210.28E (procedure for criminal history background checks) and makes organizational, technical, and clarifying changes.

Reorganizes parts of GS 90-210.25(f)(1) and (c)(12) (criminal penalties for operating as a funeral service licensee, a funeral director, or an embalmer or as operating a funeral establishment without complying with Article 13A) and GS 90-210.25(f)(2) (criminal penalties for abuse of human remains) into GS 90-210.29C. Titles section misdemeanors and felonies (was, unlawful sale of embalming fluid). Makes organizational changes.

Repeals all other provisions of GS 90-210.25 that are not enacted or recodified by the act.

Makes technical changes and replaces references to “dead human body” with “human remains” in GS 90-210.60 (definitions under Article 13D, Preneed Funeral Funds). Removes provisions authorizing a different meaning of the defined terms when required by context. 

Requires notice to the Funeral Board upon purchase of a prearrangement insurance policy by a preneed licensee to GS 90-210.61 (deposit or application of preneed funeral funds). Makes conforming and technical changes.

Removes venue requirement for a funeral establishment’s deposit of a $50,000 surety bond with the clerk of superior court. Removes outdated statutory language and makes other technical changes. Replaces references to “dead human body” with “human remains.”

Removes general requirement for preneed licensees to submit a written report to the Funeral Board, as described, of its preneed funeral contract sales and contract performance under GS 90-210.68 (licensee’s books and records).  Removes requirement that a transferee (substitute) financial institution receiving preneed funds provide the Funeral Board with the described disclosures. Now requires the that preneed licensee provide the Funeral Board with any information it deems necessary, in addition to information about substitute financial institution receiving transfer. Clarifies that notice requirements for revocable contracts apply before transferring trust funds to the substitute institution and that individuals to notify are either the contract purchaser, or, if that person is deceased, the preneed contract beneficiary.  Expands the required persons that a contracting and the successor preneed funeral establishment must notify upon transferring preneed funeral contracts for lapse or termination of licensure to include each preneed contract purchaser, unless the preneed contract is transferred due to an acquisition or sale and the contract will continue to be performed at the same physical address. Removes a preneed licensee’s inability to perform as a trustee as a reason for the Funeral Board to transfer a preneed funeral contract to a substitute licensee. Adds obligation for transferee licensee to make reasonable efforts to execute a new preneed funeral contract with the preneed contract purchaser or, if the preneed contract purchaser is deceased, the preneed contract beneficiary. Requires the transfer licensee to maintain the preneed contract and include information about the contract in its annual report to the Funeral Board. Removes language requiring parties, upon transfer in such circumstances, to execute new preneed funeral contract. Makes technical, clarifying, and organizational changes.

Removes requirement that the Board transfer a burial association whose license has been revoked to another burial association in GS 90-210.85. Instead, requires Board to issue an order of dissolution under GS 210.107(i) (pertaining to liquidation of mutual burial associations upon receipt of request for voluntary dissolution) upon revoking the license. Makes conforming changes to GS 90-210.107(i). Changes the deadline for the liquidated burial association to file its final report from December 31 of the year of the liquidation to 30 days after completion of liquidation. Makes technical changes.

Recodifies subdivisions (8), (13), and (14) of GS 90-210.121as subdivisions (20c), (20e), and (20f), respectively, of that section.

Recodifies GS 90-210.136(g) as GS 90-210.129(d1).

Makes the following changes to Article 13F (Cremations and Alkaline Hydrolysis) of GS Chapter 90, as amended by the act. Removes short title. Removes provisions authorizing a different meaning of the defined terms when required by context in GS 90-210.121 (definitions provisions of Article 13F). Incorporations definitions set forth in Article 13A of GS Chapter 90. Removes alkaline hydrolysis, human remains, reduced human remains, and reduction. Modifies casket, certificate of reduction (was, certificate of cremation), cremated remains, cremation container, cremation interment container, crematory or crematorium, crematory license, cremation society, final disposition, holding and processing facility, hydrolysis container, initial container, niche, processing, pulverization, reduction (was, cremation) chamber, reduction container, reduction facility (was, crematory) manager, reduction facility (was, crematory) technician, scattering area, and urn.

Prohibits, in GS 90-210.123 any person or entity from conducting alkaline hydrolysis of human remains without first obtaining a hydrolysis license. Limits licenses holders to funeral establishments holding an establishment issued by the Funeral Board. Requires a reduction licensee to reduce human remains only in a reduction facility in compliance with the article. Requires a reduction facility manager to be licensed to practice funeral direction and qualified as a reduction facility technician or hold a reduction facility manager permit. Lists three qualifications to obtain a facility manager permit, including that the applicant is at least eighteen, is of good moral character, and qualified as a reduction facility technician. Provides for crematory licensees licensed before January 1, 2004.  Replaces references to “crematory” with “reduction facility” and references to “cremations” with “reductions.” Replaces references to “dead human body” with “human remains.” Clarifies that penalties under the statute are civil penalties and directs that the clear proceeds of those penalties be remitted to the Fund. Makes clarifying, organizational, conforming and technical changes.

Replaces reference to “crematory” with “reduction” in GS 90-210.124A (authorizing agents).

Replaces reference to “crematory/cremate” with “reduction/reduce” in GS 90-210.125 (authorization to reduce).  Requires the reduction authorization form to now also contain (1) the name, address, signature, and any required warranties of the funeral service licensee (if applicable); (2) the type of reduction authorized; and (3) the described disclosure on limitations of liability. Removes limitation on liability under GS 90-210.125 (was, limitation on liability except for gross negligence so long as the establishment and licensee performed functions in compliance with the statutory section). Makes conforming, organizational, technical and clarifying changes.

Replaces references to (1) “crematory/cremate” with “reduction/reduce” and (2) “funeral establishment or licensee thereof” with “funeral establishment, funeral director, or funder service licensee” in GS 90-210.126 (preneed reduction arrangements). Provides for a separate reduction authorization disclosure form for alkaline hydrolysis. Makes conforming, technical, and clarifying changes.

Replaces references to “crematory/cremate” with “reduction/reduce” in GS 90-210.127 (record keeping) and makes technical and clarifying changes. 

Replaces references to “crematory/cremate” with “reduction/reduce” in GS 90-210.128 (reduction containers).  Sets forth four requirements that a reduction container has to meet, including (1) the ability to be closed to provide a complete cover for the human remains; (2) be rigid enough for handling with ease; (3) provide protection for healthy and safety of reduction facility personnel; and (4) be easily identifiable (as described). Makes technical changes.

Replaces references to (1) “crematory/cremate” with “reduction/reduce” and (2)“dead human body/body” with “human remains” in GS 90-210.129 (reduction procedures).  Requires that a signed reduction authorization be received by the reduction licensee (was, crematory) before reduction. Now requires that the reduction licensee receive a death certificate signed by the medical examiner containing the required information (was, burial transit permit/cremation authorization form) before performing a reduction for deaths under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.  Requires human remains to be hydrolyzed only while enclosed in a hydrolysis container. Limits the use of a reduction chamber solely to reduce human remains. Clarifies that liquid waste is something that must be removed from reduced human remains as far as possible and disposed. Requires reduction licensees to comply with all applicable public health and environmental laws in every operation of its business, including the disposal of liquid waste (previously, no mention of liquid waste).  Provides for maintenance of equipment in accordance with standards established by the Funeral Board. Makes organizational, technical, clarifying and conforming changes.

Replaces references to “crematory/cremate” with “reduction/reduce” in GS 90-210.130 (final disposition of human remains).  Includes a “person in possession of the reduced human remains” as one who can provide notice of possession of reduced human remains to the authorizing agent thus triggering the agent’s 30-day time window to provide final disposition or claim the remains. Also includes as this person who is owed reimbursement by the authorizing agent for reasonable expenses incurred in disposing of the remains. Requires that the receipt accompanying reduced human remains contain a representation that the final disposition will be accordance with Article 13F (was, in a proper manner). Makes clarifying and technical changes.

Replaces references to (1) “crematory/cremate” with “reduction/reduce” and (2)“dead human body/body” with “human remains” in GS 90-210.131 (limitation of liability).  Extends persons who may refuse to release remains if they become aware of a dispute over the human remains to include licensees under Article 13A. Makes technical changes.

Replaces references to “crematory/cremate” with “reduction/reduce” and makes clarifying and technical changes to GS 90-210.132 (fees), GS 90-210.133 (reduction licensee rights), and GS 90-210.134 (Funeral Board rulemaking, applicability, violations, and prohibitions of Article).  Makes technical changes to GS 90-210.135 (cremation societies). Repeals GS 90-210.136 (hydrolysis of human remains).

Part II. Conforming Changes

Includes hydrolysis as an allowable expense and insurance policies that will pay for hydrolysis under the definitions of allowable expense and collateral source, respectively, in GS 15B-2 (definitions under the Crime Victims Compensation Act). Includes hydrolysis as an additional allowable expense under GS 15B-11(g). Includes hydrolysis in disposition of remains in GS 32A-16 (definitions pertaining to health care powers of attorney) and replaces “cremate” with “reduce.” Amends GS 32A-25.1 to include disposing of remains by hydrolysis in the statutory form for health care power of attorney. Clarifies, in GS 58-58-97, that false requests for information and other described act by Article 13A licensees is grounds for discipline in GS 90-210.28A. Replaces references to GS 90-210.25 with “Article 13A of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes” in definitions of cemetery broker and cemetery sales organization in GS 65-48.

Replaces exemption for undertakers and described funeral establishments under the cosmetic art act with funeral establishments and funeral directors and other individuals holding a permit or license issued under Article 13A in GS 88B-25. Makes clarifying and technical changes. Makes conforming changes to GS 90-210.25B, GS 90-210.69, GS 90-210.81, and GS 130A-420(a), Makes conforming and technical changes to GS 130A-412.16 and GS 160A-341.

Removes requirement that Funeral Board rulemaking occur after a public hearing in GS 90-210.80 (duties of the Funeral Board). Makes technical and conforming changes.

Part III.

Makes organizational changes to GS 58-16-5 (conditions of licensure for foreign insurance companies). Adds requirement that a foreign or alien insurance company applying for licensure in the State prove to the Insurance Commissioner (Commissioner) that it has been successful in the conduct of the business it proposes to transact as direct insurance or assumed reinsurance.  Changes reference to fee that an applicant must pay under GS 58-165 to a “licensure application fee” (was, fee for “filing of this statement”). Makes clarifying and technical changes. Directs the Department of Insurance (DOI) to adopt rules to implement the act by no later than January 1, 2027.

Makes technical changes to GS 58-71-75 (License renewal).

Makes technical changes to definitions in GS 58-89A-50 (pertaining to the NC Professional Employer Organization Act [Act]). Modifies terms tangible net worth, and control. Removes person.  

Requires applicants for licensure who do not have a tangible net worth of at least $50,000 to file an additional surety bond under GS 58-89A-50, equal to the deficiency in tangible net worth, working capital, or both (was, just deficiency in working capital). Requires applicants that provide securities in lieu of a security to bond to deliver a Power of Attorney to the Insurance Commissioner (IC) executed by its president or another officer, authorizing the sale or transfer of the securities for any purpose provided for in the Act, including the payment of licensee liabilities. Makes technical and conforming changes.

Modifies the grounds for denial of an applicant license under GS 58-89A-60 (license application), as follows. Makes denial of an application based on conviction of a felony by the persons described subject to the requirements of GS 93B-8.1 (use of criminal history records).  Adds violation of or failure to comply with a law or rule issued by a State agency responsible for regulation of the applicant’s business as a grounds for denial. Makes technical, clarifying, conforming, and organizational changes throughout. 

Retroactively applicable only to licensure applications submitted on or after October 1, 2025, expands professions not subject to GS 93B-15.3 (licensure recognition for individuals licensed in neighboring states) by adding insurance producers, adjusters, appraisers, bail bondsmen, runner, and other individuals licensed under GS Chapter 58.  Makes technical changes.  

Part IV.

Effective October 1, 2026, except as otherwise provided.