Amends GS 143B-1302(a), to provide that the State Chief Information Officer (State CIO) is the head of the Department of Information Technology (Department), a member of the Governor’s cabinet, and may also be referred to as the Secretary of the Department of Information Technology (was, State CIO is the head of the Department and a member of the Governor’s cabinet).

Enacts new Article 24 to GS Chapter 95 and states the Article is to be known as the Zip Line and Challenge Course Safety Act of North Carolina (Act). Sets out the legislative findings and intent.

Establishes that the Act's scope governs the design, construction, installation, plans review, testing, inspection, certification, operation, use, maintenance, alteration, relocation, and investigation of accidents involving zip lines, aerial adventure parks, canopy tours, challenge courses, or other similar devices, as those terms are defined the Act's definitions statute, GS 95-282.  Provides that the Act does not apply to any zip line, aerial adventure park, canopy tour, challenge course, or other similar devices installed at a private residence.

Lists 20 powers and duties of the Commissioner of Labor (Commissioner), including the power to delegate powers, duties, and responsibilities of the Commissioner to, and to supervise, the Chief of the Elevator and Amusement Device Bureau; the power to adopt, modify, revoke and enforce rules necessary to carry out the Act's provisions; the power to require inspection and testing of new, modified or relocated devices subject to the Act; the power to obtain an Administrative and Inspection Warrant pursuant to Article 4A of GS Chapter 15; and the power to institute civil proceedings in courts of the state or order the payment of civil penalties when a provision of the Act or the rules promulgated under the Act have been violated. Also sets out limits on fees that may be charged for certificates of operation, inspections, and inspector certification.

Incorporates specified standards by reference that the design, manufacture, installation, operation, and maintenance of all devices subject to the Act must conform to, unless otherwise specifically provided in the Act or rules promulgated pursuant to the Act.

Requires an owner of a device subject to the provisions of the Act to annually submit an application for a certificate of operation to the Commissioner, on forms provided by the Commissioner, and to request a certificate of operation for each device at least 30 days before the first intended date of use each year.  The Act defines an owner as any person or authorized agent of such person who owns a device subject to the provisions of the Act or in the event such device is leased, the lessee, and establishes that term also include the state or any political subdivision thereof or any unit of local government.  Requires an owner of a device subject to the Act to include in the initial application certification from a professional engineer licensed in North Carolina indicating that the design and installation of the device has been approved by the professional engineer, and to include in any subsequent application certification from a professional engineer licensed in North Carolina indicating that any additions or alterations which substantially change the device have been approved by the professional engineer. Also requires an owner of a device to include in the initial and annual application information as specified in GS 95-285(f) including documentation of general liability insurance.  Requires the owner of a device to include the certificate of operation fee with the certificate of application.  Provides that a certificate of operation for a device expires annually on December 31.

Requires that a third-party, qualified inspector as set out in GS 95-287 inspect a device subject to the provisions of the Act and determine that it is in compliance with the provisions of the Act and any rules promulgated pursuant to the Act before a certificate of operation may be issued. Requires the operator of the device to post a copy of the certificate of operation in close proximity to the entry to the device where it is readily visible to participants. The Act defines an operator as any person, partnership, corporation, or other commercial entity and its agents, officers, employees, or representatives who have operational responsibility for any device subject to the provisions of the Act. Sets out qualifications for qualified inspectors.

Requires an owner of a device subject to the Act, or the owner's authorized agent, to (1) make a pre-opening inspection and test of the device, prior to admitting the public, each day the device is intended to be used and in accordance with challenge course standards; (2) train employees on the operation of the device in accordance with Part 1.3 of the ANSI/PRCA 2014 Ropes Challenge Course Installation, Operation & Training Standard, or a substantially similar standard; (3) have an emergency evacuation plan for the device in accordance with challenge course standards; and (4) maintain for at least the previous 12 months a signed record of the required pre-opening inspection and test, training provided to employees, emergency evacuation plan, and other pertinent information as the Commissioner may require by rule or regulation.  Authorizes the Commissioner to refuse to issue or renew or to revoke, suspend, or amend the certificate of operation for any device regulated by the Act upon failure by the owner or the owner's authorized agent to make the required pre-opening inspection and test, to train employees, to maintain an emergency evacuation plan, or to maintain the required records.

Allows the Commissioner to immediately order in writing that the use of a device be stopped or limited if the Commissioner determines that a device subject to the Act and the operation of the device is exposing the public to an unsafe condition likely to result in serious personal injury or property damage, until such time the Commissioner determines that the device has been made safe for use by the public.  Also allows the Commissioner to refuse to issue or renew or revoke, suspend, or amend a certificate of operation if the Commissioner determines that the provisions of the Act or the rules and regulations promulgated under the Act have not been complied with. Provides that any action taken by the Commissioner under this statute, GS 95-289, is final; however, GS 95-289(c) provides for an avenue of appeal.

Requires an owner or operator to immediately shut down the operation of the device and secure the safety of other participants and the general public, and ensure the scene is left intact from the time of the accident, in the event a participant or member of the general public is involved in an accident related to the operation of a device subject to the Act that results in serious injury or a fatality.  Requires the owner, operator, and any employees who witnessed the accident or operated the device when the accident occurred to be available to be interviewed by the Commissioner or the Commissioner's designated representative.  Requires other reporting, documentation, and action as specified in GS 95-292.  Provides that the Commissioner may permanently revoke the certificate of operation if an owner violates any provisions of GS 95-292.

Requires any operator, as defined by the Act, to be at least 18 years of age.  Requires an operator to be in attendance at all times the device is in operation.  Bars operation of a device subject to the Act while under the influence of alcohol or any other impairing substance defined by GS 20-4.01(14a).  Establishes that it is a violation of the Act to knowingly permit the operation of any device subject to the Act while the operator is under the influence of an impairing substance.

Requires an owner to obtain coverage of at least $1 million per occurrence against liability for injury to persons or property arising out of the operation or use of a device subject to the Act, and to provide proof of the required insurance before the Commissioner can issue a certificate of operation.  Provides that the Commissioner cannot accept any commercial general liability insurance policy unless it obligates the insurer to give written notice to the Commissioner at least 30 days  before any proposed cancellation, suspension, or renewal of the policy.

Bars any person from operating or permitting to be operated or using any device subject to the Act without a valid certificate of operations or otherwise than in accordance with the Act and the rules and regulations promulgated under the Act.  Establishes that any person who violates the prohibitions of GS 95-290(a) or (b) is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $1,250 for each rule, regulation, or section of the Act violated and for each day each device is so operated or used.  

Bars any person from operating or permitting to be operated or using any device subject to the Act after the Commissioner has refused to issue or has revoked the certificate of operation for such a device.  Bars any person from operating, permitting to be operated, or using any device subject to the Act if the person knows or reasonably should know that the operation or use will expose the public to an unsafe condition likely to result in personal injury or property damage.  Establishes that any person who violates GS 95-290(c) (operation of a device after the Commissioner has refused to issue or revoked certificate of operation), GS 95-292 (required reporting), GS 95-293(a) (age and attendance requirements for operators), or GS 95-294 (requirement of liability insurance) is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $2,500 for each day each device is so operated or used. Establishes that any person who violates GS 95-291 (Operation of unsafe device) or GS 95-293(b) (operation of device under the influence or knowingly permitting operation under the influence) is subject to a civil penalty not to exceed $5,000 for each day each device is so operated or used. Provides factors the Commissioner is to consider in determining the amount of any penalty ordered. Establishes that the determination of the amount of the penalty by the Commissioner is final; however, provides an avenue of appeal. Provides that the Commissioner may file in the office of the clerk of the superior court of the county wherein the person, against whom a civil penalty has been ordered, resides, or if a corporation is involved, in the county wherein the corporation maintains its principal place of business or in the county wherein the violation occurred, a certified copy of a final order of the Commissioner unappealed from, or of a final order of the Commissioner affirmed upon appeal where the clerk of court must enter judgment, notify the parties, and the judgment is to have the same effect as if it had been rendered in a suit duly heard and determined by the superior court.

Establishes that any person who willfully violates any provision of the Act is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor, which may include a fine of no more than $10,000, except that if the conviction is for a violation committed after a first conviction of the person, the person will be be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor, which may include a fine of no more than $20,000.  Establishes that any person who willfully violates any provision of the Act, and that violation causes the serious injury or death of any person, then the person is guilty of a Class E felony, which will include a fine. Provides that nothing in this statute GS 95-295, prevents any prosecuting officer of the State of North Carolina from proceeding against a person who violates the Act on a prosecution charging any degree of willful or culpable homicide.

Allows the owner or operator of a device subject to the Act to deny any person entrance to any device if he or she believes the entry may jeopardize the safety of the person desiring entry, riders, or other persons.

Directs that it is the duty of the Attorney General of North Carolina, when requested, to represent the Department of Labor in actions or proceedings in connection with the Act or the rules and regulations promulgated under the Act.

Authorizes the state, upon recommendation of the Commissioner of Labor, to enter into agreements or arrangements with appropriate federal agencies for the purpose of administering the enforcement of federal statutes, rules, and regulations governing devices subject to the provisions of the Act, consistent with the requirements and conditions provided in the Act and the rules promulgated under the Act.

Provides that all information reported to or otherwise obtained by the Commissioner or the Commissioner's agents or representatives in connection with any inspection or proceeding under the Act or the rules and regulations promulgated under the Act that contains or might reveal a trade secret is to be considered confidential, except as to carrying out the Act and the rules promulgated under the Act or when it is relevant in any proceeding under the same. Provides that in any proceeding the Commissioner or the Court must issue orders as may be appropriate to protect the confidentiality of trade secrets.

Provides that the Act is to be construed liberally to the end of that the welfare of the people may be protected.  Contains a severability clause.

Effective December 1, 2017.