Amends the title of GS Chapter 20, Article 10, to Financial Responsibility of Taxicab Operators and Providers of Digitally Dispatched Prearranged Transportation Services (was, Financial Responsibility of Taxicab Operators). 

Enacts new GS 20-280.1 concerning requirements for digitally dispatched prearranged transportation, setting out definitions for use in this section, including participating driver or driver, transportation network company (TNC), and transportation network company insurance (TNC insurance). Requires the TNC to disclose in writing to its drivers specified insurance information, including the insurance coverage limits of liability that the TNC provides, and also state that the driver's personal automobile insurance will not provide coverage when the driver uses a vehicle in connection with a company's online application or platform. Requires the TNC to provide direct notice of participation in the transportation network (network) to the driver's personal auto insurance unless that insurer is providing TNC insurance to the driver.

Sets out requirements concerning the TNC and its' driver's required levels of insurance, providing that the following insurance requirements apply from the time a driver accepts a ride request on the TNC's online-enabled application or platform until the driver completes the transaction on the online-enabled application or platform or until the ride is complete, whichever is later: (1) requires the TNC insurance to be primary with coverage of at least $1 million for death, personal injury, and property damage and sets out how this requirement can be fulfilled; (2) requires the TNC insurance to also provide for $1 million coverage for uninsured motorist coverage and underinsured motorist coverage; (3) requires that the insurer, in regards to insurance coverage indemnify the insured; and (4) provides that a TNC can meet the above obligations by verifying that a driver is maintaining coverage that meets the above coverage amounts and the policy is specifically written for the driver's participation in the network.

Sets out five requirements concerning the TNC and its driver's required levels of insurance, providing that the following insurance requirements apply from the time a driver logs on to the TNC's online-enabled application or platform until the driver accepts a request to transport a passenger, and from the time the driver completes the transaction on the online-enabled application or platform or the ride is complete, whichever is later, until the driver either accepts another ride request or logs off the online-enabled application or platform, including requiring (1) the NC insurance to be primary with coverage of at least $50,000 for death and personal injury per person, $100,000 for death and personal injury per accident, and $30,000 for property damage; (2) TNC insurance to also provide uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage as required by GS 279-21(b)(3); and (3) that the TNC maintain coverage that provides excess coverage for the TNC and the driver for at least $200,000 per occurrence to cover any liability arising from the use of a vehicle with the TNC's application or platform. Sets out other requirements concerning the above levels of insurance and obligations. Provides guidance in regards to lapsed policies and which policy claims must be filed first. Also provides that the provisions do not limit any liability of the company in regards to claims exceeding the amounts of the required coverage limits.

Provides that private passenger automobile insurance policies are not affected or required to provide any excess coverage when drivers are logged into an online-enabled application or platform until the driver logs off or the passenger exits the vehicle.

Prohibits personal automobile insurance from providing coverage, unless expressly providing such coverage during the time outlined by the above provisions. Specifies other limits of personal automobile insurance as well as allowing such insurance to offer liability insurance policy for drivers that participate in the TNC's online-enabled application or platform, with certain limitations and requirements.

Requires a TNC or its insurer to cooperate with insurers that are involved in a claims coverage investigation, requiring the facilitation and exchange of specified information.

Prevents the TNC from disclosing to a third party any personally identifiable information about a TNC passenger unless (1) the customer knowingly consents, (2) disclosure is made in accordance with a requirement of state law, and (3) disclosure is made to the Attorney General to investigate a complaint filed against the TNC or a driver and the Attorney General treats the information as confidential.

Sets out requirements for carrying proof of insurance coverage and requires the provision of this information in the event of an accident.

Effective July 1, 2015.  

Enacts new GS 131D-10.2A, Reasonable and prudent parenting standard (standard), providing that this standard is characterized by careful and sensible parental decisions that maintain a child's health, safety, and best interests while encouraging the child's emotional and developmental growth. Requires every child care institution to designate an on-site official to apply the standard. Caregivers are required to use this standard in determining participation in extracurricular, enrichment, and social activities for foster children. Prohibits liability being placed on a caregiver or a county department of social services for an act or omission if actions and decisions were made in accordance with the standard. Provides that a caregiver exercising the standard has the authority to allow or prevent a child from participating in normal childhood activities, understood to include, but not limited to, extracurricular, cultural, enrichment, and social activities as well as overnight activities outside direct supervision of the caregiver for periods over 24 hours up to 72 hours. Provides protection from liability for caregivers in regards to injuries to the child occurring as a result of the authority of the above provisions unless the action or inaction of the caregiver that resulted in the injury is by willful or reckless misconduct. 

Amends GS 7B-505(b) concerning juvenile placement while in nonsecure custody, providing that the court will order the Department of Social Services to make diligent efforts to notify relatives and custodial parents of the juvenile's siblings that the juvenile is in nonsecure custody, as well as notify them about any hearing schedule to occur pursuant to GS 7B-506, unless the court finds such action is contrary to the best interests of the child. 

Amends GS 7B-800.1(a)(4) and GS 7B-901, both concerning hearings regarding the juvenile, requiring that required notifications or efforts to notify relatives of the juvenile be considered in regards to the hearings is also required for parents with custody of a sibling of the juvenile.

Enacts new GS 7B-903.1, Juvenile placed in custody of a county department of social services, authorizing a county department of social services to make decisions generally made by a juvenile's custodian for a juvenile in its custody, including educational decisions and consenting to the sharing of the juvenile's information. Authorizes the delegation of this authority to a juvenile's parent, foster parent, or another individual. Further authorizes a county department of social services with custody or placement responsibility to make decisions concerning normal childhood activities. Allows the court to set alternative parameters for approval of such activities if such authorization is not in the juvenile's best interest. 

Enacts new GS 7B-912, Juveniles 14 years of age and older; Another Planned Permanent Living Arrangement, setting out the requirement that for juveniles in custody of county departments of social services who have reached the age of 14 at a permanency planning hearing, the court must inquire and make written findings in regards to (1) services provided to assist the juvenile in transitioning to adulthood, (2) any steps the county department of social services is taking to ensure the foster family or other placement provider is following the reasonable and prudent parent standard, and (3) whether the juvenile has regular opportunities to engage in age or developmentally appropriate activities.

Requires the court, at or before the last scheduled permanency hearing, but at least 90 days before a juvenile turns 18 years old, to inquire as to whether the juvenile has copies of the specified vital records and to determine which person or entity should assist in obtaining these documents before the age of 18. 

Provides that the plan of Another Planned Permanent Living Arrangement (APPLA) is only available as a juvenile's permanent plan when the court finds that specified requirements are met, including, but not limited to, that the juvenile is 16 or 17 years old and that APPLA is the best permanency plan for the juvenile. If APPLA is the juvenile's permanent plan, then the court must question the juvenile and make written findings addressing the juvenile's desired permanency outcome.

Enacts new GS 58-36-43, Development of policy form or endorsement for personal liability insurance for foster parents, providing that the NC Rate Bureau must develop an optional policy form or endorsement to be filed with the Commissioner of Insurance for approval no later than May 1, 2016. The same is to provide liability insurance for foster parents licensed under GS Chapter 131D, Article 1A, to provide foster care in a family foster home or therapeutic foster home. Sets out what coverage the policy form or endorsement must provide. Provides that such liability insurance is not required to cover acts or omissions of a foster parent when such are not in compliance with written instructions received from the placing agency or Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). 

Enacts new GS 58-37-35(g) concerning the North Carolina Motor Vehicle Reinsurance Facility (Facility) providing that with the approval of the Commissioner of Insurance, the Facility will establish a form of nonfleet private passenger motor vehicle liability insurance providing named nonowner coverage for a foster child in state custody. Sets out requirements that the policy must meet, including that the policy only applies to one child and that the policy is portable if the foster child's placement for foster care changes, as long as the placement is in North Carolina. Enacts new GS 48A-4, Certain minors competent to contract, providing that a minor who is 16 or older and who is in legal custody of DHHS is qualified and competent to contract for the purchase of an automobile insurance policy with the consent of the court with continuing jurisdiction over the minor's placement. Sets out certain limitations and requirements for the policy. Amends GS 20-11(i) concerning application for a limited learner's permit and provisional driver's license providing that for minors in the legal custody of the DHHS, a guardian ad litem or attorney advocate, a case manager or other type of case worker, or the court with continuing jurisdiction over the minor's placement can sign the application. Enacts new GS 20-309(a2) providing that the owner of a motor vehicle who is a foster parent providing foster care to a person between the ages of 16 and 21 does not violate the requirements of the article by allowing the motor vehicle to be operated by the person if the person is covered by a nonowner motor vehicle insurance policy issued by the Facility. Effective October 1, 2015.

Directs DHHS to design and draft, but not submit, a 1915(c) Medicaid waiver to serve children with Serious Emotional Disturbance (SED) in home and community-based settings. Allows DHHS to submit drafts of the waiver to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to solicit feedback but not submit the waiver for CMS approval until authorized by the General Assembly. Directs DHHS to report the waiver, other findings, and any other options or recommendations to best serve children with SED to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services by December 1, 2015. Sets out what the report should contain, including an in-depth analysis of the cost per slot. 

Amends the following statutes as the title indicates: (1) GS 136-112, to provide that the measure of damages in a condemnation action initiated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) is as provided in GS 40A-63 and 40A-64 (concerning just compensation for takings), deleting language that provided for other measures of damages; (2) GS 136-113, regarding the determination of interest as a part of just compensation on a DOT condemnation award providing that interest is to be calculated from the date of taking to the date the judgment is paid (previously, to the date of the judgment, effective July 1, 2015; and (3) GS 136-119, regarding the recovery of costs, including attorneys' fees if certain conditions apply, adding language that provides that fees can be awarded when the final judgement exceeds the initial deposit by 25 percent or more. Provides that attorneys' fees cannot exceed 1/3 of the difference between the judgment award, plus interest, and the initial deposit. Makes organizational changes. 

Amends GS 136-89.53 (New and existing facilities; grade crossing eliminations), to clarify that compensation that land owners are entitled to, when an existing street or highway is designated as and included within a controlled-access facility and that street or highway abuts their land, also includes compensation for partial control of access. 

Amends GS 136-103(a) to require the Department of Transportation, when condemnation is necessary, to provide written notices of relocation required by federal law no earlier than five working days before instituting a filing under this subsection and no later than one working day prior to instituting a filing pursuant to this subsection. Effective October 1, 2015, applying to condemnation actions filed on or after that date. 

Unless otherwise noted above, this act becomes effective July 1, 2016, applying to condemnation actions filed on or after that date.  

Amends GS 143-345.22(a) as the title indicates. Provides that 50% (was, 20%) of the funds saved or increased due to a state employee's suggestion or innovation per the NC-Thinks suggestion program are to be distributed to the state employee or divided equally among the team members if the suggestion or innovation comes from a group. Removes the cap of $20,000 on the distribution. Directs that 25% (was, 30%) of the annualized savings or increased revenues goes to the implementing agency for nonrecurring budget items. Provides that the remaining 25% of the annualized savings or increased revenues goes to the General Fund for nonrecurring budget items when allowed by law or policy. Effective July 1, 2015, and applies to suggestions and innovations made on or after that date.

Amends GS 95-3 to update the Department of Labor's (DOL) listed officers, divisions, and sections, to include the Division of Occupational Safety and Health instead of the Division of Statistics. Also amends the statute to no longer require the Governor's approval before the Commissioner of Labor (Commissioner) takes specified actions. Amends GS 95-4 to no longer require the Commissioner to have the division director's approval before appointing clerks, stenographers, and other employees to the various divisions. Also no longer requires the Commissioner to have the Governor's approval for rules and regulations with reference to the work of DOL and its divisions. Amends GS 95-69.11 to add to the Commissioner's duties: (1) devising and proctoring exams covering Article 7A (Uniform Boiler and Pressure Vessel Act) and the rules adopted under the Article to applicants as inspectors of boilers and pressure vessels; (2) proctoring the National Board commissioning exam; and (2) issuing, suspending, or revoking inspectors' commissions as inspectors of boilers and pressure vessels. Amends GS 95-69.17 , GS 95-110.6, and GS 95-111.6 (all concerning Noncomplying devices; appeal) to provide that any actions taken by the Commissioner under those statutes are final, unless within 15 days after receiving notice the person against whom the action was taken takes exception to the determination. If the person takes exception to the determination, requires the final determination to be made in an administrative proceeding and in a judicial proceeding under the Administrative Procedure Act.

Repeals GS 95-5, Annual report to Governor; recommendation as to legislation needed; GS 95-6, Statistical report to Governor; publication of information given by employers; GS 95-11, Division of Standards and Inspection; GS 95-12, Division of Statistics; and GS 95-69.13, Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessels Rules created; appointment, terms, compensation and duties.

Amends GS 143-60 as the title indicates. Effective October 1, 2015.

Enacts new GS 99A-2 making any person who gains access to the nonpublic area of another's premises and engages in an act that exceed the person's authority to enter those areas liable to the owner or operator of the premises for any damages sustained. Lists examples of acts that exceeds a person's authority to enter the nonpublic areas of another's premises, including an employee who, without authorization, creates or produces an image or sound occurring within an employer's premises and uses the recording to breach the person's duty of loyalty to the employer or conspire in organized retail theft. Assigns joint liability to any person who directs, assists, compensates, or induces another person to violate the statute. Allows a prevailing plaintiff to be awarded equitable relief, damages, costs and fees, including attorneys' fees, and $5,000 in exemplary damages per day that the defendant acted in violation of the statue. Exempts from the statute any governmental agency or law enforcement officer engaged in a lawful investigation of the premises or the owner or operator of the premises.

Effective January 1, 2016. 

Amends GS 7A-45.4(b) concerning the designation of business cases as mandatory complex business cases, providing that an action must have an amount in controversy, computed in accordance with GS 7A-243, of at least $5,000, in addition to other specified conditions, to be designated as a mandatory complex business case. 

Amends GS 105-241.16, making conforming changes. 

Effective October 1, 2015, applying to actions commenced on or after that date. 

Includes whereas clauses.

Appropriates $1.5 million for 2015-16 and $1.5 million for 2016-17 from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, to increase the state contract with the Carolinas Poison Center. Effective July 1, 2015.

Adds new Article 9D to GS Chapter 115C. Requires the State Board of Education (SBOE) to provide informational materials and screening instruments to local boards of education to identify students who exhibit potential indicators of specific learning disabilities. Requires each local board of education to provide for parents to annually receive informational materials related to specific learning disabilities and ensure implementation of age-appropriate screening instruments for the early identification of students with specific learning disabilities. Requires a local school administrative unit to screen every kindergartener for specific learning disabilities using an SBOE adopted screening instrument. Requires screening of any student enrolled in first through sixth grade who was not screened for specific learning disabilities in kindergarten. Requires when a student is determined to exhibit potential indicators of a specific learning disability that the local school administrative unit administer a comprehensive assessment adopted by the SBOE. Requires that a student having a specific learning disability be provided appropriate intervention strategies.

Enacts new GS 115C-150.23 to require each local school administrative unit to train one or more school employees to administer the screening instruments. Requires that professional development opportunities on the identification of and intervention strategies for students with specific learning disabilities be made available to teachers and other school personnel.

Amends GS 115C-296 to require that the literacy renewal credits required for continuing licensure for elementary and middle school teachers include early identification and intervention strategies for students with specific learning disabilities.

Applies beginning with the 2015-16 school year.

Amends GS 132-1 to encourage state agencies to include a statement on outgoing email that discloses that the email may be a public record and may be subject to inspection and copying. Also provides, that if it is appropriate, emails sent by or on behalf of a legislator should include a disclosure that the document is confidential and not a public record.

Effective October 1, 2015. 

Repeals Section 5(c) of SL 2004-189, which required the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to retain a portion of the proceeds of the increase in driver's license and duplicate license fees to offset the cost of developing and maintaining the online Organ Donor Internet, with remaining proceeds credited to the License to Give Trust Fund.

Amends GS 20-7 to require the DMV to credit 2.5% from each fee for the issuance and renewal of a driver's license to the License to Give Trust Fund.

Amends GS 20-7.4 to require that 50% of the funds credited to the License to Give Trust Fund be transferred quarterly to Donate Life North Carolina for costs associated with managing the online organ donation registry and promoting organ donation.

Effective January 1, 2016, and applies to driver's license issuances and renewals on or after that date. 

Substantively identical to H 355, filed 3/25/15.

Amends GS 122C-66 to provide that an employee or a volunteer at facilities that provide services for the care and treatment of persons with mental illness, developmental disabilities, or substance abuse disorders that knowingly causes pain or injury to a client is guilty of a Class A1 misdemeanor (was, Class 1). Imposes a duty on an employee or volunteer who witnesses or has knowledge of abuse or exploitation of clients to report the violation to designated authorized personnel at the facility.  Makes failure to do so a Class 1 misdemeanor (was, Class 3 misdemeanor punishable only by a fine).

Imposes a duty on an employee or volunteer at a facility who witnesses a client become the victim of a sexual offense or offense against morality (a violation of Article 7A or Article 26 of GS Chapter 14) to report the allegations within 24 hours after witnessing the violation to the department of social services in the county where the facility serves the client and to the district attorney in the district where the facility serves the client. Makes a violation of this provision a Class A1 misdemeanor. Prohibits harassing or threatening of an employee making a report by any other employee or volunteer. Provides that except for violations of the requirement to report violations of Article 7A or Article 26 of GS Chapter 14, as provided for in (b1) of GS 122C-66, the facility is to investigate or provide for investigation of reports made under this section. Directs the county department of social services and the district attorney to investigate reports made under subsection (b1) or to provide for the investigation of such reports.

Effective December 1, 2015, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.

Amends GS 105-129.16A to extend the sunset of the credit for investing in renewable energy property to January 1, 2021 (was, January 1, 2016). 

Amends GS 105-129.15 to include in the definition of renewable energy property solar energy equipment that uses solar radiation as a substitute for traditional energy for generating electricity only if all the equipment in the system has an aggregate generation capacity of less than one megawatt. Effective for property placed in service for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2018.

Amends GS 20-63 to add plates for Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity to those that do not have a First in Flight or First in Freedom design.

Amends GS 20-79.4 to specify that the plates are issuable to members of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

Provides that nothing in GS 20-63 or GS 20-79.3A requires an additional 200 applications for the Division of Motor Vehicles to issue a full-color background Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity plate.

Effective July 1, 2015.

Enacts new GS 58-56A-3 requiring that in order for a prescription drug to be placed on the maximum allowable cost price list, that the drug be available for purchase by pharmacies in the state from national or regional wholesalers, must not be obsolete, and either (1) be listed as “A” or “B” rated in the most recent version of the US Food and Drug Administration’s Approved Drug Products with Therapeutic Equivalence Evaluations or (2) have an “NR” or “NA” rating, or similar rating, by a nationally recognized reference. Requires a pharmacy benefits manager to adjust or remove a maximum allowable cost price for a prescription drug as necessary for a cost of a prescription drug to remain consistent with changes in the national marketplace. Requires a review of the maximum allowable cost prices for removal or modification to be completed by the pharmacy benefits manager at least once every seven business days. Requires a pharmacy benefits manager to provide a way for the contracted pharmacies to promptly review current prices within one business day of the change or removal. Imposes a fee of no less than $100 and no more than $1,000 per day per drug on a pharmacy benefits manager that does not perform any review, adjustment, or removal in a timely manner.

Amends GS 58-63-15 to add the following to those that are considered unfair methods of competition and unfair and deceptive acts or practices in insurance: (1) any violation of the prohibition against waiver, discount, rebate, or distortion of a copayment or coinsurance of any insurer, policy, or plan, or any violation of the prohibition against waiver of the collection of copayments owed by recipients of Medicaid and NC Health Choice and (2) a failure by a pharmacy benefits manager to perform in a timely manner any review, adjustment, or removal.

Effective October 1, 2015. 

To be summarized.

Enacts new Article 6A, Iran Divestment Act, in GS Chapter 143C. Sets out General Assembly findings. Defines terms as they are used in the act. Requires the Secretary of State, no more than 120 days after the effective date of the act, to develop a list of persons it determines engage in investment activities in Iran and update the list every 180 days. Specifies steps that must be taken before a person is included in the list. Requires a state agency to require a person attempting to contract with the state or a political subdivision of the state to certify at the time that the bid is submitted or the contract is entered into, renewed, or assigned, that the person is not identified on the list. Prohibits a person contracting with the state or a political subdivision of the state from using on the contract any subcontractor that is on the list. Sets out the procedure for when a person certifying that they are not on the list is in fact on the list. Prohibits a person on the list from contracting with the state or any political subdivision of the state and makes any contract entered into with an ineligible person void ab initio. This prohibition does not apply to contracts valued at $1,000 or less. Prohibits the North Carolina Retirement System or the State Treasurer from investing funds with a person on the list and requires any existing investments in violation of the prohibition to be divested within 120 days of the effective date of the act. Allows a person engaged in investment activities in Iran to contract with the state or political subdivision of the state, and allows an investment to be made in a person engaged in investment activities in Iran, on a case-by-case basis if specified conditions are met. Requires the Secretary of State to report to the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Governor annually by October 1, on the status of the federal Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010, this act, and any rules or regulations adopted thereunder. Makes the restrictions provided for in this Article apply only until: (1) the President or US Congress declares that divestment of the type provided for in this Article interferes with the conduct of United States foreign policy or (2) Congress revokes authority to divest in the manner provided for in this Article.

Requires the Secretary of State to submit a written notice describing this act to the US Attorney General within 30 days after the effective date of the act. 

Effective October 1, 2015.

Enacts new GS 58-36-65(n) providing that on or after September 1, 2016, an insurer that writes nonfleet private passenger motor vehicle insurance can, instead of setting rates under the Safe Driver Incentive Plan (SDIP), decide to develop, file, and implement an insurer-specific driver incentive plan as provided for in this subsection. If no election is made for the incentive plan then the SDIP plan must be implemented. Sets out the contents of the insurer-specific plan, procedures and revisions for the insurer-specific plan, as well as the scope of the plan, providing that the insurer-specific driver incentive plan must adequately and factually distinguish among different classes of drivers. Further provides that the insurer must make its election of the plan by notifying the Commissioner of Insurance on the proper prescribed form.

Enacts new GS 58-36-75(i) providing that the provisions of the statute have no effect or application to drivers, risks, and coverages retained by an insurer that has elected to and has filed an insurer-specific driver incentive plan with the Commissioner of Insurance under GS 58-36-65(n).

Amends GS 150B-21.3 to require the Rules Review Commission to make available a form to be used for people to submit objections to the adoption of a permanent rule. Increases the number of written objections needed to delay the implementation of the rule from 10 to 50. Adds that a person is qualified to object if the person is a state resident, not including a lobbyist acting on behalf of the lobbyist's principal, has a legal interest in property in the state, or is incorporated or doing business in the state. Makes conforming changes. Applies to permanent rules adopted on or after the date that the act becomes law.

As title indicates. 

Effective July 1, 2015.

Amends GS 116-143.1 to add that despite other provisions in the statute, resident tuition status is given to an individual who has attended school in this state for at least three consecutive years immediately before graduation and has a North Carolina high school diploma or a general education diploma issued by the state.

Identical to H 298, filed 3/18/15.

Amends GS 52C-1-101 to provide that the defined terms apply throughout GS Chapter 52C (Uniform Interstate Family Support Act) and not just Article 1 of the Chapter (General Provisions). Adds and defines convention, Department, foreign country, foreign support order, foreign tribunal, issuing foreign country, outside the state, person, and record. Amends the following terms to include reference to a foreign country: child support order, home state, initiating tribunal (which is also amended to encompass the term initiating state), and obligee. Amends the following terms: income-withholding order, obligee, registering tribunal, responding state, support enforcement agency, support order, and tribunal. Makes additional clarifying and technical changes to the definitions. 

Amends GS 52C-1-102 to clarify that the General Court of Justice, District Court Division, is the tribunal of the state and adds that the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Social Services (Department) and the county support agencies are the state's support enforcement agencies.

Amends GS 52C-1-103 to provide that the remedies provided under the Chapter do not affect the recognition of a foreign support order on the basis of comity. Adds that the Chapter does not (1) provide the exclusive method of establishing or enforcing a support order under the law of this state or (2) grant a tribunal of this state jurisdiction to render judgment or issue an order relating to child custody or visitation in a proceeding under this Chapter. 

Enacts new GS 52C-1-104 to require a tribunal of the state to apply Articles 1 through 6, as applicable, and Article 7 to support proceedings involving a foreign support order; a foreign tribunal; or an obligee, obligor, or child residing in a foreign country. Specifies the applicability of those chapters is specified circumstances.

Amends GS 52C-2-201 to allow a tribunal of the state to exercise personal jurisdiction over a nonresident in a proceeding to establish or enforce (was, establish, enforce, or modify) a support order or to determine parentage if the specified conditions are met. Modifies those conditions to no longer require the individual to have asserted paternity in an affidavit with the superior court. Adds that the bases of personal jurisdiction may not be used to acquire personal jurisdiction for a tribunal of the state to modify a child support order of another state unless the requirements of GS 52C‑6‑611 (modifications of child support order of another state) are met, or, in the case of a foreign support order, unless the requirements of new GS 52C‑6‑615 (jurisdiction to modify child support order of foreign country) are met.

Amends GS 52C-2-202 by deleting the current content of the statute and providing instead that personal jurisdiction acquired by a tribunal of this state in a proceeding under this Chapter or other law of this state relating to a support order continues as long as a tribunal of this state has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify its order or continuing jurisdiction to enforce its order. 

Amends GS 52C-2-203 and GS 52C-2-204 to include foreign countries as they relate to the statute. 

Amends GS 52C-2-205 to provide that a tribunal of this state that has issued a child support order consistent with state law has continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify its child support order if the order is the controlling order and: (1) at the time of the filing of a request for modification, this state is the residence of the obligor, the individual obligee, or the child for whose benefit the support order is issued or (2) even if this state is not the residence of the obligor, the individual obligee, or the child for whose benefit the support order is issued, the parties consent in a record or in open court that the tribunal of this state may continue to exercise jurisdiction to modify its order. Provides that a tribunal of this state that has issued a child support order consistent with the law of this state may not exercise continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify the order if: (1) all of the parties who are individuals file consent in a record with the tribunal that a tribunal of another state that has jurisdiction over at least one of the parties who is an individual or that is located in the state of residence of the child may modify that order and assume continuing, exclusive jurisdiction; or (2) its order is not the controlling order. Provides that if a tribunal of another state has issued a child support order under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act or a substantially similar law that modifies a child support order of a tribunal of this state, tribunals of this state must recognize the continuing, exclusive jurisdiction of the tribunal of the other state. Adds that a tribunal of this state that does not have continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify a child support order may serve as an initiating tribunal to request a tribunal of another state to modify a support order issued in that state.

Amends GS 52C-2-206 to allow a tribunal of this state that has issued a child support order to serve as an initiating tribunal to request a tribunal of another state to enforce: (1) the order if the order is the controlling order and has not been modified by a tribunal of another state that assumed jurisdiction or (2) a money judgment for arrears of support and interest on the order accrued before a determination that an order of a tribunal of another state is the controlling order. Makes conforming and clarifying changes. 

Amends GS 52C-2-207 to amend the information that must be included in a request to determine which order controls when multiple child support orders have been issued for the same obligor and child. Amends the information that must be included in the order when the tribunal determines which order controls or issues a new controlling order. Requires that an order that has been determined to be the controlling order or a judgment for consolidated arrears of support and inters made under the statute must be recognized in proceedings under this Chapter. Makes additional conforming and clarifying changes.

Amends GS 52C-2-209 to require a tribunal of the state to credit amounts collected for a particular period under a child support order against the amounts owed for the same period under any other child support order for support of the same child that was issued by a tribunal of this state, another state, or a foreign country. 

Enacts new GS 52C-2-210 to set out powers a tribunal of this state has when exercising personal jurisdiction over a nonresident in a proceeding under the Chapter, under other laws of this state relating to a support order, or recognizing a foreign support order. 

Enacts new GS 52C-2-211 giving a tribunal of this state issuing a spousal support order continuing, exclusive jurisdiction to modify the order throughout the existence of the obligation; prohibiting the tribunal from modifying a spousal support order issued by another state or foreign country with exclusive jurisdiction over that order; and setting out powers of a tribunal with continuing, exclusive jurisdiction over a spousal support order. 

Amends GS 52C-3-304 to no longer require an initiating tribunal to provide three copies of the petition. Further amends the duties of an initiating tribunal.

Amends GS 52C-3-305 to modify the powers of a responding tribunal of this state to allow determining the controlling child support order and allows ordering an obligor to keep the tribunal informed of the obligor's current email address. Adds the requirement that a responding tribunal, if requested to enforce a support order, arrears, or judgment or modify a support order stated in a foreign currency, to convert the amount to dollars.

Amends GS 52C-3-307 to require a support enforcement agency, upon request, to provide services to a petitioner requesting services through a central authority of a foreign country. Also allows a support enforcement agency to provide services to a petitioner who does not live in the state. Requires a support enforcement agency requesting registration of a child support order in this state for enforcement or for modification to make reasonable efforts to: (1) ensure that the order to be registered is the controlling order or (2) if two or more child support orders exist and the identity of the controlling order has not been determined, ensure that a request for such a determination is made. Requires a support enforcement agency requesting registration and enforcement of a support order, arrears, or judgment stated in a foreign currency to convert the amounts to dollars. Requires a support enforcement agency of this state to request a tribunal of this state to issue a child support order and an income‑withholding order that redirect payment of current support, arrears, and interest if requested by a support enforcement agency of another state. Makes additional conforming and clarifying changes. 

Amends GS 52C-3-308 by deleting the current provisions stating the district attorney's duty. Adds that the Department may order the agency to perform its duties or may provide those services directly if the Department determines that the support enforcement agency is neglecting or refusing to provide services. Allows the Department to determine that a foreign country has established a reciprocal arrangement for child support with this state and take appropriate action for notification of the determination.

Amends GS 52C-3-309 to clarify the Department's duties as the state information agency under the Chapter. 

Amends GS 52C-3-310 to make clarifying changes and include reference to orders from another state or foreign country.

Amends GS 52C-3-311 to amend the procedure for protecting identifying information of a child. Allows the tribunal to order disclosure of information that the tribunal determines to be in the best interest of justice after a hearing that takes into consideration the party's or child's health, safety, or liberty.

Amends GS 52C-3-315 to require (was, allow) a tribunal of the state to permit a party or witness residing outside of the state to be deposed or testify by phone, audiovisual means, or other electronic means. Adds that a voluntary acknowledgment of paternity, certified as a true copy, is admissible to establish parentage. Makes additional clarifying and conforming changes.

Amends GS 52C-3-316 to allow communication between tribunals via email.

Amends GS 52C-3-318 to specify duties of the support enforcement agency or tribunal of this state when neither the obligor, the obligee, nor the child reside in the state. Requires the support enforcement agency of this state receiving redirected payments from another state to give a requesting party or tribunal of the other state a certified statement by the custodian of the record of the amount and dates of all payments received.

Makes additional clarifying, technical, and organizational changes to Article 3 of the Chapter.

Amends GS 52C-4-401 to modify the circumstances under which a tribunal may issue a temporary child support order. 

Enacts new GS 52C-4-402 allowing a tribunal of this state authorized to determine parentage of a child to serve as a responding tribunal in a proceeding to determine parentage of a child.

Amends GS 52C-5-501 to allow an income withholding order issued in another state to be sent by or on behalf of the obligee, or by the support enforcement agency, to the obligor's employer or payor without first filing a petition or registering the order with a tribunal. Deletes the provisions concerning obligors receiving unemployment.  

Amends GS 52C-5-506 by specifying how an obligor may contest the validity or enforcement of an income-withholding order issued in another state and received directly by an employer in this state. Makes other clarifying changes.

Amends GS 52C-6-602 to set out actions a person requesting registration of an order of enforcement must take when there are two or more orders in effect. Allows a request for a determination of which order is controlling to be filed separately or with a request for registration and enforcement or for registration and modification.  Makes conforming and clarifying changes. 

Amends GS 52C-6-604 to provide that the law of the issuing state or county governs the existence and satisfaction of other obligations under the support order. Requires a responding tribunal of this state to apply this state's procedures and remedies to enforce current support and collect arrears and interest due on a support order of another state or a foreign country registered in this state. Adds that after a tribunal of this state or another state determines which is the controlling order and issues an order consolidating arrears, a tribunal of this state must prospectively apply the law of the state or foreign country issuing the controlling order on current and future support and on consolidated arrears.

Amends GS 52C-6-605 to set out notice requirements for the registration of an order when the registering party asserts that two or more orders are in effect.

Amends GS 52C-6-607 to add to the defenses that a party contesting the validity of enforcement of a support order must prove to include that the alleged controlling order is not the controlling order.

Amends GS 52C-6-611 to provide that in a proceeding to modify a child support order, the law of the state that issued the initial controlling order governs the duration of the obligation.  The obligor's fulfillment of the duty of support precludes imposition of a further obligation of a support by a tribunal in this state. Specifies that a tribunal of this state retains jurisdiction to modify an order issued by this state if one party resides in another state and the other party resides outside the United States.

Amends GS 52C-6-612 to provide that if a child support order issued by a tribunal of this state is modified by another state which assumed jurisdiction under the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act, the tribunal may perform specified acts and must recognize the modifying order of the other state upon registration.

Adds new Part 4, Registration and Modification of Foreign Child Support Order. Enacts statutes concerning the jurisdiction to modify child support orders of foreign counties and the procedure for registering a child support order of a foreign country in order to modify and enforce the order. 

Amends Article 7 of the Chapter as follows. Deletes the content of GS 52C-7-701 and replaces it with terms and their definitions, as used in the article. Specifies that the Article applies only to a support proceeding under the Convention on the International Recovery of Child Support and Other Forms of Family Maintenance (Convention). Recognizes the Department as the agency designated to perform specific functions under the Convention. Specifies the Department's responsibilities in support proceedings under the Article. Sets out six support proceedings that are available to an obligee and three that are available to an obligor under the Convention. Sets out provisions governing a petitioner's direct request seeking establishment or modification of a support order or determination of parentage of a child. Requires a party seeking recognition of a Convention support order to register the order in this state and sets out what must be included with the request. Specifies when a tribunal of the state may vacate the registration of a Convention support order. Sets out the procedure for contesting a registered Convention support order. Requires a tribunal of this state to recognize and enforce a registered Convention support order unless one of the ten grounds are met for refusing recognition and enforcement. Requires a tribunal of this state to recognize and enforce a foreign support agreement registered in this state unless specified circumstances exist. Sets out items that must be included with an application or direct request for recognition and enforcement of a foreign support agreement. Prohibits a tribunal of this state from modifying a Convention support order if the obligee remains a resident of the foreign country where the order was issued unless specified circumstances exist. 

Amends Article 8 to make clarifying and conforming changes. 

Amends GS 52C-9-901 to provide that in applying and construing this uniform action, consideration must be given to the need to promote uniformity of the law among states enacting it.

Enacts new GS 52C-9-901.1 to provide that the Chapter applies to proceedings begun on or after the effective date of this Chapter to establish a support order or determine parentage of a child or to register, recognize, enforce, or modify a prior support order, determination, or agreement, whenever issued or entered. 

Makes changes throughout by adding reference to orders from foreign countries.