Conference report makes the following changes to the 5th edition.

Part I.
Changes the effective date of Part I from October 1, 2023, to February 1, 2024.

Part II.

Deletes Part II of the act concerning the issuance of an internationally-trained physician employee license.

Part III.

Amends GS 93D-1 by amending the definition of the term fitting and selling hearing aids so that it includes authorizing or ordering the use of, or rental of, hearing aids, and no longer includes the rental, prescription, or order for the use of hearing aids.

Amends GS 93D-1.1 by including in the scope of practice of a hearing aid specialist ordering the use of, authorizing, fitting, and selling prescription hearing aids, as defined by the US FDA, without requiring a consumer to first obtain an order or authorization from another healthcare provider (was, prescribing, or ordering the use of, or fitting and selling hearing aids).

Part V.

Amends proposed GS 90-85.26B to vest authority and responsibility for disciplining dispensing optometrists who fail to comply with the provisions of the statute in both the NC Board of Pharmacy and the licensing board (was, licensing board) having jurisdiction over the dispensing optometrist. Adds that the licensing board having jurisdiction over the dispensing optometrist may discipline the optometrist's license to practice optometry.

Changes effective dates so that Section 5.1 becomes effective October 1, 2023, while Section 5.2 and Section 5.3 (concerning dispensing optometrists) of this act become effective March 1, 2024.

Part VII.

Requires the North Carolina Board of Nursing and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Health Service Regulation, to evaluate the federal requirements applicable to the Nurse Aide I education and training program and, to the extent consistent with the applicable federal requirements, develop a plan for the Board of Nursing to assume responsibility for and provide oversight of all nurse aide programs, regardless of nurse aide title, as individuals in these positions collaborate with nurses and other health care providers to deliver care across all health care settings (was, required the development of a plan to relocate the Nurse Aide I education and training program to the Board of Nursing). Requires a report by September 1, 2024, to the specified NCGA committee on the evaluation of the federal requirements applicable to the Nurse Aide I education and training program and, to the extent consistent with the applicable federal requirements, a plan for the Board of Nursing to assume responsibility for it, a transition time line, and recommendations for statutory changes necessary to transition the Nurse Aide I education and training program from the Department to the Board of Nursing, if appropriate.

Part VIII.

Amends proposed GS 131E-88, law enforcement officers required in emergency departments, as follows. Removes from the definition of law enforcement officer an armed security guard with a valid firearm registration permit. Now requires each licensed hospital that has an emergency department to conduct a security risk assessment and develop and implement a security plan with protocols to ensure that at least one law enforcement officer is present at all times, except when temporarily required to leave in connection with the discharge of their duties, in the emergency department or on the same campus as the emergency department (unless the hospital in good faith determines that a different level of security is necessary and appropriate for any of its emergency departments based upon findings in the security risk assessment). Sets out five components that must be included in the security plan. Sets out requirements of the security plan when a hospital determines that a different level of security is necessary and appropriate. Requires the Department of Health and Human Services to have access to all security plans for hospitals with an emergency department and maintain a list of those hospitals with a security plan.

Amends GS 131E-88.2 as follows. Changes the due date of the collection of data from hospitals about assaults, incidents where patient behavioral health and substance use issues resulted in violence, and workplace violence from September 1 to October 1. Now requires DHHS to compile the information from hospitals and share it with the North Carolina Sheriffs' Association, the North Carolina Association of Chiefs of Police, and the North Carolina Emergency Management Association. Requires DHHS to request that these organizations examine the data and make recommendations to decrease the incidences of violence in hospitals and to decrease assaults on hospital personnel. Clarifies that the first data collection must occur on or before September 1, 2025.

Deletes the proposed changes to GS 95-260, GS 95-269, and proposed new GS 95-269A (violation of order issued upon request of a hospital).

Amends GS 14-34.6 to now make it a Class I felony to commit an assault or affray causing physical injury on the following who are discharging (or attempting to discharge) their official duties: hospital employee, medical practice employee, licensed health care provider, or individual under contract to provide services at a hospital or medical practice (was, hospital employee, licensed health care provider, or individual under contract to provide services at a hospital).

Further amends GS 15A-1340.16 by adding as an aggravating factor the defendant committed the offense on the property of a medical practice, defined as a professional corporation organized under or subject to GS Chapter 55B and registered with the North Carolina Medical Board.

Part IX.

Deletes Part IX concerning modernizing and expanding physician-pharmacist collaborative practice.

Part X.

Amends GS 131E-158 by requiring that the flexibilities permitted under (a1)(1) and (2) (changes allowed to ambulance transportation of patients in a state of emergency) not apply to Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) services through May 11, 2024 (was, the North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services must continue the emergency waiver flexibilities under (a1)(1) and (2) for 12 months following the expiration of the Public Health Emergency). Requires the DHHS, Division of Health Service Regulation, to work with NEMT stakeholders to develop a permanent plan regarding staffing as included in the waiver.

Adds the following new content.

Part XII.

Amends GS 90-292 to include protection of the public from unqualified persons to the State's declared policy concerning licensing audiologists and speech and language pathologists. 

Modifies and adds to the defined terms set out in GS 90-293. Now defines audiologist to mean any person who is qualified by education, training, and clinical experience and is licensed under Article 22 to engage in the practice of audiology (was more generally any person who engages in the practice of audiology). Adds that an audiologist is an independent hearing health care practitioner providing services in hospitals, clinics, schools, private practices, and other settings in which audiologic services are relevant. Expands on the services a person offers that deem the person to be or hold him or herself out to be an audiologist, including hearing aid audiologist and hearing specialist. Adds that an association, company, or trust is included in the defined term person, and that any reference to a licensed person means a natural, individual person. Replaces the definition given for the practice of audiology, now defining the term to mean the application of principles, methods, and procedures not including non-auditory and non-vestibular testing or writing prescriptions for pharmaceutical agents or surgery, and gives a nonexhaustive list of 19 areas of audiology practice. Expands the practice of speech and language pathology to include evaluation, treatment, and instruction related to the development and disorders of communication and cognitive-communication. Makes technical changes. 

Makes organizational and technical changes to GS 90-294 regarding the exclusion of individuals licensed to fit and sell hearing aids under GS Chapter 93D from the scope of the Article 22. Also excludes from the Article the selling of over-the-counter hearing aids. Amends the exclusion of (1) students or trainees who are students or working in a training center program and (2) nurses or other certified technicians trained to perform audiometric screening tests and whose work is supervised by a physician or audiologist, to specify that the exclusion applies if the student, trainee, or nurse is not registered with the Board of Examiners for Speech and Language Pathologists and Audiologists (Board) as an assistant. Makes further technical changes. Specifies that the provisions of Article 22 do not apply to the selling of over-the-counter hearing aids; provides that the sale of an over-the-counter hearing aid is solely a financial transaction and without additional services does not constitute treatment by an audiologist.

Enacts GS 90-294A to authorize licensed audiologists to treat minors by administering nonmedical audiologic services. Specifies that only individuals licensed to practice medicine or working under the supervision of such an individual, or a person licensed under this Article, can make an assessment of a minor for hearing impairment treatment or manage hearing rehabilitative services for a minor for hearing impairment. Authorizes licensed audiologists to provide clinical treatment, home intervention, family support, case management, and other audiologic services to minors. Further authorizes audiologists to participate in the development of individualized educational programs and consult on individual classroom matters. Authorizes audiologists to administer hearing screening programs in school and train and supervise nonaudiologists performing hearing screening in an educational setting. Specifies that over-the-counter hearing aids are not appropriate for individuals under age 18 and do not apply to this statute.

Amends GS 90-295 to remove the specific hour requirements for certain areas in meeting the clinical experience hours required for permanent licensure as a speech and language pathologist; maintains the 400 hour minimum clinical hour requirement. Also amends the licensure requirements to require the applicant to present written evidence of nine months of full-time professional experience in which clinical work (was, bona fide clinical work) has been accomplished in speech and language pathology.

Amends GS 90-298.1 by amending the requirements for a licensed speech and language pathologist or audiologist to register an assistant to also require that the registration fee be remitted to the Board before the assistant can be registered.

Amends GS 90-299 to also require a person registered with the Board to give the Board written notification of the address of where the person engages in practice. Makes conforming changes to the statute's record keeping and notice requirements. Makes language gender neutral.

Amends GS 90-301 to make the grounds for suspension or revocation of a license under the Article also applicable to persons registered under the Article. Makes conforming changes and makes language gender neutral.

Amends GS 90-303 by removing outdated language related to the Board's membership.

Amends GS 90-304 by amending the Board's powers and duties to require providing a list (was, provide an annual list) stating the names of persons currently licensed under the Article; adds the requirement that the list be provided on the Board's website.

Amends GS 90-305 to make the listed fees also applicable to registered individuals.

Amends GS 90-306 by making a clarifying change.

Makes the above changes effective January 1, 2024.

Allows the Board of Examiners for Speech and Language Pathologists and Audiologists to adopt temporary rules to implement the act.

Part XV.

Requires the following of the new Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) procedure code G0330, which was adopted by DHB as of January 1, 2023, and incorporated into the Medicaid Clinical Coverage Policy 4A: Dental Services: (1) DHB must not reimburse ambulatory surgical centers based solely on the length of the procedure and requires reimbursement, as of July 1, 2023, so that services billed under procedure code G0330 are reimbursed at 95% of the total payment rate listed on the Medicare Part B Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS), in effect as of January 1, 2023, and requires the rates to be updated annually starting January 1, 2024, so that services are reimbursed at 95% of the Medicare Part B OPPS payment rate, in effect as of January 1, for that procedure code and (2) all standard benefit plans and BH IDD tailored plans must be required to cover procedures billed under procedure code G0330.

Part XVI.

Defines bar under GS 130A-247 to mean establishment with a permit to sell alcoholic beverages pursuant to subdivision (1), (3), (5), or (10) of GS 18B-1001 and that does not prepare or serve food other than beverage garnishes, ice, or food that does not require time or temperature control for safety and that is in an unopened original commercial package, except for food used as a beverage garnish. Makes conforming changes to GS 130A-250-(1). 

Makes conforming changes to the act’s long title. 

Senate amendment to the 4th edition makes the following changes. 

Section 2.1

Amends new GS 90-12.03 (international-trained physician employee license) as follows. Amends the rural practice supervising physician requirement to to require that the applicant’s supervising physician be physically practicing on-site at the rural medical practice. Requires the NC Medical Board (Board) to adopt rules pertaining to adequate supervision of internationally-trained physicians. Amends the medical education requirement to specify that the applicant must have previously completed 130 weeks of medical education at a qualifying medical school and and is eligible to be certified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates. Clarifies that the applicant must have actively practiced medicine (was, just practiced medicine) in their country of licensure for at least ten years after graduation.

Expands the ways an internationally-trained physician employee license can become inactive by adding when the holder ceases to be employed at a medical practice located in a rural county or who practices without supervision by a physician licensed by the State of North Carolina who is physically practicing on site at the medical practice as one of the listed ways the license become inactive.

Section 5.1

Amends new GS 90-127.4 (dispensing optometrists) to now require an optometrist (previously only authorized) to register with the NC Board of Pharmacy to dispense certain drugs. 

Senate committee substitute to the 2nd edition makes the following changes. Deletes the content of the previous edition and replaces it with the following.

Part I.

Enacts GS 90-12.02 (establishing a physician and physician assistant military relocation license for military service members and spouses) authorizing the issuance of military relocation licenses to a physician or physician assistant who is not actively licensed by the NC Board of Medicine (Board) to practice as a physician or physician assistant if five listed requirements are met including that they are a servicemember or the spouse of a service member in the US Armed Forces, resides in the State pursuant to military orders for military service, and holds a license in another jurisdiction that has licensing requirements substantially similar to or exceeds the licensure requirements of the State. Specifies that the military relocation license will remain active for the duration of military orders for military service in the State and upon completion of annual registration. Specifies that the license becomes inactive when the any of the following occur: (1) the license holder relocates pursuant to military orders to reside in another state; (2) the military orders for service in this State expire; or (3) the servicemember separates from military service. Provides for notification to the Board upon events that render a license inactive. Allows for a military license to become a full license by completing an application for full licensure. Requires the Board to waive the application fee if the application is submitted within one year of the issuance of the military relocation license. Permits the Board to impose additional requirements by rule.

Makes conforming changes to GS 90-13.1 (license fees) to account for new GS 90-12.02 and GS 90-12.03 (discussed below).

Effective October 1, 2023.

Part II.

Enacts GS 90-12.03 (internationally-trained hospital physician employee license [International License]) authorizing the Board to issue an International License to a physician if eight listed requirements are met, including: (1) the applicant has been offered employment as a physician in a full-time capacity at (i) a hospital that is located in North Carolina, licensed by the State of North Carolina, and accredited by the Joint Commission or (ii) a medical practice located in a rural county with a population of 500 people per square mile, in North Carolina, and will be supervised by a physician licensed by the State of North Carolina; (2) the applicant is presently licensed to practice medicine in a foreign country or had such license expire no more than five years prior to submission of an application to the Board; (3) the applicant previously completed medical school and postgraduate training substantially similar to the State’s requirements for licensure; (4) the applicant is not subject to disciplinary order or other action by any medical licensing agency in any state or other jurisdiction.

Prevents a holder of the International License from practicing medicine or surgery outside the confines of the North Carolina hospital or its affiliates; establishes a Class 3 misdemeanor if the holder breaks that rule. Specifies upon conviction, the holder will be fined not more than $500 for each offense. The Board, at its discretion, may revoke the International License after due notice is given to the holder. Specifies that an International License becomes inactive at the time the holder does one of the following: (1) ceases to be employed in a full-time capacity by a North Carolina hospital or (2) obtains any other license to practice medicine issued by the Board. Specifies that the Board will retain jurisdiction over the holder of the inactive license.

Effective October 1, 2023.

Authorizes the Board to adopt rules necessary to issue an International License. Permits the Board to adopt a rule establishing a time limit for the term of an International License.

Part III.

Amends GS 93D-1 (definitions pertaining to the NC Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters Board [HADF Board]) as follows. Expands the scope of fitting and selling hearing aids to include sales, rentals, prescriptions or orders for use of hearing aids. Defines over-the-counter hearing aid by cross reference to 21 CFR 800.30(b) (FDA regulations on medical devices). Makes technical changes. Expands the scope of practice of a hearing aid specialist to include prescribing or ordering the use of hearing aids, in addition to other acts related to hearing aids.  Specifies that the provisions of the article do not apply to over-the-counter hearing aids.

Part IV.

Amends the definition of certifying entity in GS 90-732(4) as it applies in Article 43 (Behavior Analyst Licensure) to include the Qualified Applied Behavior Analysis Credentialing Board, in addition to the already-existing Behavior Analyst Certification Board, Inc. Includes the successors for both of these certifying entities.

Part V.

Amends GS 90-118.10 by amending the State's policy related to renewal of optometry licenses, so that all licenses, primary and branch (was, licenses), issued by the NC State Board of Examiners in Optometry (Board) are subject to annual renewal and the exercise of any privilege granted by the license is subject to the issuance of a certificate of renewal of license. Changes the date of the issuance of the renewal to on or before December 31 (was first day of January of each year). Makes conforming changes. Requires applicants for renewal to include their practice's street address in their renewal application. Changes the date of the application deadline from January 31 to January 1; changes the date by which a person who fails to apply for renewal is considered to be guilty of unauthorized practice of optometry from March 31 to January 31. Adds that if the inactive license is not renewed by December 31 of that year, then the license expires and is not eligible for renewal.

Amends GS 90-123 as follows. Increases the following fees: application for general optometry license (was, exam), general optometry license renewal, and duplicate application for a branch office license or renewal (was, duplicate license or renewal) for each branch office. Adds fees for provisional license and renewal of a provisional license. Removes fees for certificate of license to a resident optometrist desiring to change to another state or territory, license to a practitioner of another state or territory to practice in North Carolina, and license to resume practice issued to an optometrist who has retired or who has left and returned to the state.

Amends GS 90-121.2 as follows. Amends the conditions under which the Board may take disciplinary action by: (1) removing instances when the licensee is mentally, emotionally, or physically unfit to practice optometry or is afflicted with such a physical or mental disability as to be deemed dangerous to the health and welfare of their patients and (2) adding instances when a licensee is unable to practice optometry with reasonable skill and safety by reason of abuse of alcohol, drugs, chemicals, or any other type of substance, or by reason of any physical or mental illness, abnormality, or other limiting condition. Adds that the Board may order an applicant or licensee to submit to a mental or physical examination while a licensing application is pending, or before or after charges may be presented against the applicant or licensee. Allows results of the exam to be admissible in evidence in a hearing before the Board. Makes conforming changes. Makes failure to comply unprofessional conduct.

Amends GS 90-121.6 by adding that reports licensed optometrists or those applying for licensure must make to the Board concerning medical malpractice must be made within 30 days of occurrence. Adds a provision setting out allowable methods for submitting these reports to the Board. Adds that failure to make these required reports is unprofessional conduct and grounds for discipline.

Enacts new GS 90-121.7 imposing on licensees a duty to report within 30 days any incidents the licensee reasonably believes to have occurred involving: (1) sexual misconduct of any person licensed by the Board with a patient and (2) fraudulent prescribing, drug diversion, or theft of any controlled substances by another person licensed by the Board. Failure to report is unprofessional conduct and grounds for discipline. Provides immunity from civil liability for those reporting in good faith and without fraud or malice. Reports made in bad faith, fraudulently, or maliciously are unprofessional conduct and grounds for discipline. Sets out the methods by which the reports can be submitted to the Board.

Amends GS 90-127.3 to require when giving patients that have received an eye exam a copy of their spectacle prescription that it be consistent with Federal Trade Commission rules and guidelines.

Enacts new GS 90-127.4 allowing an optometrist to register with the NC Board of Pharmacy to dispense drugs, limited to drugs for the diagnosis and treatment of abnormal conditions of the eye and its adnexa. Limits such dispensing to legend or prescription drugs to their own patients. Requires paying the dispensing fee and complying with the dispensing registration process. Requires registration with the NC Board of Pharmacy and the Board as well as compliance with all rules governing dispensing of drugs under this statute.

Enacts new GS 90-85.26B requiring dispensing optometrists dispensing prescription drugs to register annually with the Board and with the licensing board with jurisdiction over the dispensing optometrist. Requires dispensing to comply with laws and regulations applicable to pharmacists governing the distribution of drugs, including packaging, labeling, and record keeping. Discipline authority is vested in the licensing board having jurisdiction over the dispensing optometrist.

Amends GS 90-85.25 to allow the NC Board of Pharmacy to charge dispensing optometrists an annual registration fee and a reinstatement of registration fee, both set at $75.

Effective October 1, 2023.

Requires the Board and NC Board of Pharmacy to adopt rules to implement the changes set forth above.

Part VII.

Requires the Board of Nursing (Nursing Board) and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Health Service Regulation (Division), to develop a plan to relocate the Nurse Aide I education and training program to the Nursing Board. Requires the relocation plan to ensure a seamless transition and ensure the program continues to meet federal requirements. Requires DHHS to continue to maintain the registries required by Article 15 of GS Chapter 131E. On or before February 1, 2024, requires DHHS and the Nursing Board to provide a report to the specified NCGA committee that must contain a relocation plan, a transition time line, and recommendations for statutory changes necessary to transition the Nurse Aide I education and training program from DHHS to the Nursing Board.

Part VIII.

Adds new Part 3A, Hospital Violence Prevention Act, in Article 5 of GS Chapter 131E, providing as follows. Defines law enforcement officer as a sworn law enforcement officer, a special police officer, or a campus police officer authorized to carry a firearm, or an armed security guard with a valid firearm registration permit. Requires licensed hospitals that have an emergency department to conduct a security risk assessment and to implement a security plan. Exempts hospitals that are not an academic medical center teaching hospital that are located in a county with less than 300,000 residents based on the 2020 census, upon the hospital’s good faith determination that a different level of security is necessary and appropriate for any of its emergency departments based on its security risk assessment from the requirement to have at least one law enforcement present at all times in the emergency department or on the same campus as the emergency department. Requires those hospitals to develop a security risk plan and allow DHHS access to the security risk assessment and plan along with the county emergency management director, county sheriff, and municipal police chief, if applicable. Provides for notice.

Requires all other hospital to use the results of the security assessment to develop a security plan with protocols to ensure at least one law enforcement officer is always present in the emergency department or on the same campus as the emergency department. Requires those hospitals to allow DHHS access to the security risk assessment and plan. Lists five requirements for the security plan, including: (1) training for law enforcement officers employed by the hospital that is appropriate for the populations served by the emergency department; (2) training for law enforcement officers employed by the hospital that is based on a trauma-informed approach to identifying and safely addressing situations involving patients, family members, or other persons who pose a risk of harm to themselves or others due to mental illness or substance use disorder or who are experiencing a mental health crisis; (3) safety protocols based on national standards and evaluated risks; (4) safety protocols that include the presence of at least one law enforcement officer in the emergency department or on the same campus as the emergency department at all times; and (5) training requirements for law enforcement officers employed by the hospital in the potential use of and response to weapons, defensive tactics, de-escalation techniques, appropriate physical restraint and seclusion techniques, crisis intervention, and trauma-informed approaches.

Requires DHHS to have access to all security plans for hospitals with an  emergency department and to maintain a list of those hospitals with a security plan. Requires every hospital with an emergency department to provide appropriate hospital workplace violence prevention program training, education, and resources to staff, practitioners, and non-law enforcement officer security personnel. Specifies that a hospital security risk assessment and security plan are not public records under State public records law.

Enacts GS 131E-88.2, as follows. Requires the Division to annually collect the following data from hospitals for the preceding calendar year: (1) the number of assaults occurring in the hospital or on hospital grounds that required the involvement of law enforcement, whether the assaults involved hospital personnel, and how those assaults were pursued by the hospital and processed by the judicial system, (2) the number and impact of incidences where patient behavioral health and substance use issues resulted in violence in the hospital and the number that occurred specifically in the emergency department, and (3) the number of workplace violence incidences occurring at the hospital that were reported as required by accrediting agencies, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and other entities, by September 1 of each year. Requires DHHS to examine data from those hospitals with emergency departments that developed the security plans discussed above. Specifies that the first reports on these matters are due on or before September 1, 2025. Requires DHHS to compile the report information required by GS 131E-88.2, including any recommendations to decrease the incidents of violence in hospitals and to decrease assaults on hospital personal, and to report this information to the specified NCGA committee by December 1 of each year. Specifies that the first of these reports is due on or before December 1, 2025.

Enacts GS 131E-88.3 which requires the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to report annually by September 1, to the Division on the number of persons charged or convicted in the previous year under GS 14-34.6 (assault or affray on a firefighter, emergency medical technician, medical responder, and hospital personnel).  Effective October 1, 2024, with the first report due October 1, 2025. Sunsets October 30, 2030.

Effective October 1, 2024.

Requires DHHS, by October 1, 2023, to notify all licensed hospitals of these requirements, including reporting requirements.

Amends the definitions in GS 95-260 pertaining to workplace violence prevention to include hospital. Enacts new GS 95-269A (violation of order issued upon request of hospital) establishing that a person who knowingly violates a valid protective order issued upon the request of a hospital pursuant is guilty of a Class A1 misdemeanor for a first offense. Specifies that, unless covered under some other provision of law providing greater punishment, any person who knowingly violates a valid protective order, after having been previously convicted of two offenses under Article 23 of GS Chapter 95, is guilty of a Class H felony. Provides that unless covered under some other provision of law providing greater punishment, any person who, while in possession of a deadly weapon on or about his or her person or within close proximity to his or her person, knowingly violates a valid protective by failing to stay away from a place, or a person, as so directed under the terms of the order, is guilty of a Class H felony. Requires law enforcement to arrest and take a person into custody if they have probable cause to believe that the person knowingly has violated a valid protective order issued upon the request of a hospital.  

Unless covered under some other provision of law providing greater punishment, specifies that a person who commits a felony at a time when the person knows the behavior is prohibited by a valid protective order is guilty of a felony one class higher than the principal felony described in the charging document. Exempts convictions of a Class A or B1 felony or to repeat offender/deadly weapon convictions of the offenses set forth above. Sets forth pleading rules for indictments and required findings. Specifies that valid protective orders include emergency or ex parte orders. Provides that it is not a violation of a protective order issued upon the request of a hospital for any person subject to the protective order to enter that hospital seeking treatment for an emergency medical condition. Makes conforming changes. Effective December 1, 2023, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.

Expands the type of hospital workers covered under GS 14-34.6 (assault or affray on a firefighter, an emergency medical technician, medical responder, and hospital personnel) to include hospital employees, licensed healthcare providers, or individuals under contract to provide services at a hospital (currently, hospital personnel and licensed healthcare providers providing or attempting to provide services to a patient). Upgrades the felony to a Class D felony if the person uses a firearm (currently, Class E felony) and to a Class F felony if they inflict bodily injury or use a deadly weapon other than a firearm (currently Class G felony). Amends GS 14-16.6 (assault on executive, legislative or court officer) to upgrade the felony to a Class E (was, Class F) felony if the person inflicts serious bodily injury. Amends the definition of court officer under GS 14-16.10 to include individuals contracted by a county department of county services and no longer requires the listed individuals to be performing service in proceedings under Subchapter I of GS Chapter 7B. Effective December 1, 2023, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.

Amends GS 15A-1340.16 (aggravated and mitigating sentences) to expand list of aggravating factors to include if the offense was committed on the property of a hospital. Effective December 1, 2023, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.

Makes organizational changes and conforming changes to act's long and short titles.