House amendment #1 makes the following changes to the 2nd edition.

Further modifies the proposed changes to GS 115C-379 to now require the State Board of Education's rules on excusing absences to at least require school principals to authorize a minimum of two excused absences each year for religious observances required by the faith of a student or the student's parents (maintaining existing statutory language) as well as a maximum of four excused absences each academic year for visiting the General Assembly for any purpose, including as a legislative page (previously required excusing absences for attendance at a legislative event or service as a Governor's page, with no specificity as to the number allowable number).

Amends the act's long title.

House committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes. 

Deletes the previously proposed changes to GS 131D-2.15 and now provides the following. Amends GS 131D-2.15 to remove the requirement of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to ensure that adult care home facilities conduct and complete a resident assessment annually subsequent to within 72 hours after admission. Now requires the facility to use an assessment instrument approved pursuant to rules adopted by the Medical Care Commission rather than approved by the Secretary upon the advice of the Director of the Division of Aging and Adult Services. Now requires the facility to conduct an assessment to develop appropriate and comprehensive service plans and care plans within 30 days of admission (was, to use the resident assessment to develop the plans, with no distinct time frame). Now permits a facility to use a service plan competed within 35 days of the resident's admission to the facility and represents the results of an assessment to determine the resident's eligibility for personal care services under the Medicaid State Plan to fulfill the activities of daily living portion of any service plan or care plan required under the statute, as amended, or any rules adopted under Article 1, Adult Care Homes; exempts such a facility from conducting an assessment of the resident's ability to perform activities of daily living within 30 days of resident admission. Makes organizational and clarifying changes to the statute.

Modifies and adds to GS 90-288.14 regarding requirements for certification as an assisted living administrator. Adds the requirement of not having a substantiated finding of neglect, abuse, misappropriation of property, diversion of drugs, or fraud listed on the Health Care Personnel Registry under GS 131E-256. Now requires the applicant to have a high school diploma and to have either successfully completed the equivalent of two years of coursework at an accredited college or university or to have a minimum of 60 months of supervisory experience, or a combination of education and experience approved by DHHS (previously, did not specifically require a high school diploma and did not specify supervisory experience as an alternative for required coursework). Sets parameters for acceptable supervisory experience to mean having full-time, direct management responsibility, including some responsibility for hiring and firing, over the equivalent of at least two full-time employees with direct resident care responsibilities. Requires the supervisory experience to have been in a licensed adult care home or licensed nursing home within the seven years preceding the date of application. 

House committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes.

Amends GS 20-71.4 further by adding that if the owners of a franchised motor vehicle dealer have no actual knowledge that a counterfeit supplemental restraint system, or a nonfunctional airbag has been installed in a vehicle, knowledge by any other person will not be imputed to the dealer or its owners and the dealer or its owners are not deemed to have committed an unlawful act under new (a)(3).

Amends GS 20-136.2 to make it illegal to knowingly import, manufacture, sell, offer for sale, distribute, install, or reinstall a counterfeit supplemental restraint system or nonfunctional airbag in any motor vehicle, or other component device that causes a motor vehicle to fail to meet federal motor vehicle safety standards (was, any device intended to replace a supplemental restraint system component in any motor vehicle if the device is a counterfeit component, nonfunctional airbag, or causes a vehicle to fail to meet federal motor vehicle safety standards). Violations are a Class 1 misdemeanor and constitute an unfair and deceptive trade practice. Violations that contribute to a person's physical injury or death, are a Class H felony (in the previous edition, all violations were a Class H felony). Adds that if a franchised motor vehicle dealer or its owners have no actual knowledge that a counterfeit supplemental restraint system, nonfunctional airbag, or other component device has been imported, manufactured, sold, offered for sale, installed, or reinstalled in lieu of a supplemental restraint system component at the dealer's place of business or elsewhere, knowledge by any other person will not be imputed to the dealer or its owners and the dealer or its owners are not deemed to have committed an unlawful act and will not have criminal liability. 

Changes the effective date of the act to October (was, December) 1, 2019. 

House committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes. Amends proposed new GS 105-269.9 to provide an option for taxpayers to contribute all or part of their income tax refund to the Clean Water Management Trust Fund instead of the Conservation Grant Fund. Makes conforming changes. Changes the act's titles. 

Amends GS 163A-1307 to require the return envelopes for absentee ballots be pre-addressed, postage paid upon return. Adds to the information that must be printed on the ballot a statement that says, "Return absentee ballot in the enclosed prepaid envelope, or you, a near relative, or verifiable legal guardian may deliver the ballot in person to your county board of elections." 

Amends GS 163A-1310, concerning transmitting executed absentee ballots to County Board of Elections, by making conforming and clarifying changes.

Requires the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to increase the rate paid for private duty nursing services that are not provided in a congregate setting, according to the specified policies, to $11.25 per fifteen minutes beginning January 1, 2020. 

Appropriates $4,150,000 in recurring funds for 2019-20 and $8.3 million in recurring funds for fiscal year 2020-21 from the General Fund to DHHS, Division of Health Benefits Services, to implement the increase. Specifies that the funds are to provide a State match for federal funds, and appropriates those federal funds to the Division of Health Benefits for pay for costs associated with the rate increases.

Effective July 1, 2019.

Amends GS 143B-1015 to allow a law enforcement agency to enter missing or unidentified person information into NamUS (defined in GS 143B-1011 as the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System created by the US Department of Justice's National Institute of Justice) at any time and requires entering such information into NamUS when (1) the person has been missing for more than 30 days and (2) an unidentified person has not been identified for more than 30 days following the person's death. Requires a law enforcement agency that enters missing or unidentified person information into NamUS to (1) include all information regarding the missing or unidentified person and (2) enter into NamUS the fact that a missing person has been found or an unidentified person identified if either of these circumstances occurs following the original entry of the person's information into NamUS. Makes additional clarifying and technical changes to GS 143B-1011 and GS 143B-1016. Effective October 1, 2019. 

Enacts new GS 14-306.5 allowing a person to operate up to four electronic machines or devices that are not prohibited under Article 37 (Lotteries, Gaming, Bingo and Raffles) within any building areas as long as (1) the person complies with Article 37, (2) the person complies with all applicable land use laws, (3) the person has not been convicted of any violations of Article 37 or of any gaming laws, and (4) the electronic machines or devices are not within 100 feet of any other electronic machines or devices possessed and operated under the statute. Gives alcohol law enforcement agents and law enforcement officers the authority and right to inspect any and all premises and electronic machines or devices for compliance.

Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2019.

Reenacts GS 105-151.29 and GS 105-130.47, individual and corporate income tax credits for qualifying expenses of a production company, as they existed immediately before repeal and makes the following changes. Recodifies GS 105-151.29 as GS 105-153.11. Amends both GS 105-153.11 and GS 105-130.47 by removing the sunset provision. Applies to qualifying expenses occurring on or after January 1, 2019.

Includes whereas clauses.

Directs the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to increase the Personal Need Allowance from $30 to $70 for individual Medicaid recipients who are institutionalized and from $60 to $140 for married couples who are Medicaid recipients when both spouses are institutionalized. Requires DHHS to deduct the applicable increased monthly amounts for personal needs from the total monthly income taken into consideration when applying the individual's or couple's income to the cost of institutionalized care. 

Appropriates $4,730,000 in recurring funds in 2019-20 and 2020-21 from the General Fund to DHHS, Division of Health Benefits, to implement the increase. Specifies that the funds are to provide a state match for federal funds.

Effective July 1, 2019. 

Amends GS 58-33-19, concerning limited lines travel insurance. Modifies the scope of the definitions provided to make them applicable to the statute only rather than Article 33, Licensing of Agents, Brokers, Limited Representatives, and Adjusters. Adds travel administrators to the definition of limited lines travel insurance producer. Amends travel insurance to include emergency evacuation coverage, repatriation of remains coverage, and coverage for any other contractual obligations to indemnify or pay a specified amount to the traveler upon determinable contingencies related to travel as approved by the Commissioner of Insurance (Commissioner); excludes major medical plans that provide comprehensive medical protection for travelers with trips lasting longer than six months, including those working or residing overseas as an expatriate, or any other product that requires another specific insurance producer license (previously excluded those deployed military personnel and did not specifically exclude any other product requiring another specific insurance producer license). Amends travel retailer to refer to planned travel rather than travel services.

Now provides that the grounds for disciplinary action applicable to resident insurance producers are applicable to the limited lines travel insurance producers and travel retailers. Now requires brochures and other written materials which travel retailers offering or disseminating travel insurance must make available to prospective purchasers to be approved by the travel insurer. Concerning authorization for travel retailers to offer and disseminate travel insurance, specifies that a travel retailer's insurance-related activities must be limited to offering and disseminating (rather than offering or disseminating) travel insurance on behalf of or at the direction of a limited lines travel insurance producer meeting the statute's criteria, notwithstanding any other provision of law (previously the authorization did not have a qualifier). Allows travel insurance to be provided in the form of an individual, group, or blanket policy (was permitted under an individual or under a group or master policy). Authorizes any person licensed in a major line of authority as an insurance producer to sell, solicit, and negotiate travel insurance. Specifies that a property and casualty insurance producer is not required to become appointed by an insurer in order to sell, solicit, or negotiate travel insurance. 

Enacts Article 44B, Travel Insurance, to GS Chapter 58. Describes the purpose of the Article as to create a comprehensive legal framework for travel insurance to be sold in the state. Defines the scope of the Article to include travel insurance that covers any residents sold, solicited, negotiated, or offered in the state where policies and certificates are delivered or issued for delivery in the state. Excludes from the Article's scope cancellation fee waivers and travel assistance services, except as provided. Specifies that all other applicable provisions of the Chapter apply to travel insurance; however,  the Article's provisions govern if there is conflict. Sets forth 11 defined terms applicable to the Article. 

Requires premium tax under GS 105-228.5 be paid by a travel insurer on all insurance premiums paid by a resident who is an individual primary policyholder; a resident who is a primary certificate holder and elects coverage under a group travel insurance policy, as defined; or a resident, as specified, who is a blanket travel insurance policyholder for eligible blanket group members. Requires a travel insurer to (1) document the state of residence or principal place of business of the policyholder or certificate holder and (2) report as premium only the amount allocable to travel insurance and not any amounts received for travel assistance services or cancellation fee waivers. Sets criteria for travel protection plans, defined as plans that provide travel insurance; travel assistance services, as defined; and/or cancellation fee waivers. Requires the travel protection plans to be offered at one price and include specified disclosures and fulfillment materials. 

Subjects all persons offering travel insurance to residents to the provisions of Article 63 regarding unfair trade practices, except as provided. Deems an unfair trade practice offering or selling a travel insurance policy that could never result in payment of any claims for any insured under the policy. Details five requirements applicable to marketing travel insurance, including providing consistent documentation to consumers prior to and after purchasing travel insurance, providing an opportunity to learn more about any preexisting condition exclusions prior to purchase and in the fulfillment materials, accepting cancellations for a specified time and giving a full refund, and disclosing whether the travel insurance is primary or secondary to other applicable coverage. Describes permitted online marketing. Prohibits offering, soliciting, or negotiating travel insurance or travel protection plans on an individual or group basis by using negative option or opt-out features. Deems an unfair trade practice marketing blanket travel insurance coverage as free. Permits requiring a consumer to purchase insurance coverage as specified as a condition of purchasing a trip or travel package where the destination jurisdiction requires insurance coverage. 

Requires a travel administrator for travel insurance to be a licensed property and casualty insurance producer, hold a valid managing general agent license, and hold a valid third-party administrator license. Exempts a travel administrator and its employees from the licensing requirements of GS 58-33-70 (Special provisions for adjusters and motor vehicle damage appraisers) for travel insurance. Deems an insurer responsible for the acts of a travel administrator administering insurance underwritten by the insurer, ensuring the travel administrator maintains all relevant records to the insurer and make them available to the Commissioner upon request. 

Establishes it is state policy for travel insurance to be classified under an inland marine line of insurance, except that certain coverage including coverage for sickness, accident, disability, or death occurring during travel can be filed under either an accident and health line of insurance or an inland marine line of insurance. Provides for the development and provision of eligibility and underwriting standards of travel insurance so long as they meet inland marine underwriting standards.

Authorizes the Commissioner to issue rules to implement the Article.

Effective January 1, 2020.

Requires the State to convey for $1 its rights, titles, and interests in the specified parcel of land to the Pender County Board of Commissioners. The conveyance is subject to a reversionary interest reserved by the State; and the property is conveyed to the Pender County Board of Commissioners for so long as it is used as a jail and law enforcement center. Effective July 1, 2019. 

Amends GS 130A-309.132 to make discarded computer equipment and television collectors, computer equipment and television recyclers, and computer equipment and television manufacturers responsible for employing environmentally sound management practices to collect, transport, store, recycle, and fulfill statutory obligations, as appropriate, relating to discarded computer equipment and televisions. Makes it the responsibility of the Department of Environmental Quality (Department) to educate citizens regarding recycling opportunities for discarded televisions.

Amends GS 130A-309.134, which sets forth requirements for computer equipment manufacturers. Now requires the manufacturer under a Level I plan to provide proof of contract or agreement with a recycler that is certified and maintains certification in specified recycling practices and standards, and requires notification within 30 days of any change in certification status of a contracted recycler. Requires the manufacturer to include in its consumer recycling education program methods available to consumers to proactively promote recycling options for the equipment, and to establish and operate a link on the manufacturer's website to answer consumer questions about computer recycling options in the state (was, required to operate a toll free number). Eliminates the Level III recycling plan, which required a computer manufactuer to submit a recycling plan for reuse or recycling of computer equipment discarded by consumers in the state produced by the manufacturer and by other manufacturers. Specifies that the exemption from the registration fee for a computer equipment manufacturer that sells 1,000 items of computer equipment or less per year includes sales outside of the state in determining whether the manufacturer is exempt. Makes conforming changes.

Amends GS 130A-309.135 to now similarly require a television manufacturer to provide proof of contract or agreement with a recycler that is certified and maintains certification in specified recycling practices and standards, and requires notification within 30 days of any change in certification status of a contracted recycler (previously required due diligence of contracted recyclers). Similarly, specifies that the exemption from the registration fee for a television manufacturer that sells 1,000 televisions or less per year includes sales outside of the state in determining whether the manufacturer is exempt. Adds that the requirement for a television manufacturer to annually recycle or arrange for recycling of its market share of televisions applies to televisions discarded within the state.

Amends GS 130A-309.137 regarding the Electronics Management Fund to require local government unit plans submitted to recieve funding for a program to manage discarded computer equipment, televisions, and other electronic devices to include proof of contract or agreement with a recycler that is certified and maintains certification in specified recycling practices and standards.

Amends GS 130A-309.142, concerning registered facilities recovering or recycling covered devices, to add a new requirement for an owner of a facility that recovers or recycles covered devices to establish financial assurance for cleanup, decontamination, and remediations of a property that has been contaminated as a result of the activities, including the removal and proper disposal of covered devices. Details methods of establishing financial assurance. Provides that the funds remain available even if the owner becomes insolvent or ceases to reside in, be incorporated, do business, or maintain assets in the state. Also requires facilities that recover or recycle covered devices to develop and submit to the Department a closure plan and detailed financial assurance cost estimates, as described, to be conducted by a third party if the owner becomes insolvent or ceases to reside in, be incorporated, do business, or maintain assets in the state. The above requirements are effective January 1, 2020. Requires such facilities to manage the materials pursuant to GS 130A-309.05(c), regarding qualification of recovered material. Directs the Department to adopt implementing rules.

Directs the Department to study the State's recycling requirements for discarded computer equipment and televisions concerning changing waste stream and items that should be omitted or added as covered devices under the program. Requires DEQ to report to the Environmental Review Commission and the specified NCGA committee by March 1, 2020. 

Amends GS 130A-336(b1) by adding that the local health department has no liability for causes of action arising from wastewater improvements or systems designed, constructed, and installed in reliance upon the site verification performed by a licensed soil scientist under (b1).

Amends GS 130A-335(a2) by adding that the applicable permitting authority has no liability for causes of action which arise from wastewater systems constructed or repaired based on evaluations conducted by a licensed soil scientist or licensed geologist under (a2). Makes a technical change.

Enacts new GS 122E-10 establishing the Home Modification Grant Fund in the Housing Finance Agency to provide grants of up to $7,500 to reimburse costs of modifying or retrofitting an existing home for accessibility and universal visitability. 

Appropriates $500,000 in nonrecurring funds for 2019-20 from the General Fund to the Home Modification Grant Fund.

Effective July 1, 2019. 

Enacts new Article 24, North Carolina Toxic-Free Kids Act, in GS Chapter 130A as the title indicates. 

Defines children's product to mean a consumer product intended for use by children such as clothing, toys, personal care products, baby products, or car seats. The term also applies to food containers for foods intended for consumption by children under the age of three, such as baby food and infant formula. Defines a chemical of high concern as a chemical regulated by new Article 24 and provides definitions for the following chemicals defined as chemicals of high concern under this Article: (1) bisphenol A, (2) phthalates, and (3) TRIS. Defines a child as a person under the age of twelve years. Provides definitions for additional terms as used in new Article 24.

Prohibits, beginning July 1, 2019, any wholesaler or retailer from knowingly selling, offering for sale, or distributing for sale or use in North Carolina any children's product containing the following chemicals of high concern: (1) bisphenol A, (2) phthalates individually or in combination greater than 0.10 percent by weight (1,000 parts per million), or (3) TRIS in amounts greater than 50 parts per million in any component. 

Lists ten exceptions when the requirements of Article 24 do not apply. Exceptions include but are not limited to (1) children's products manufactured using chemicals of high concern when those chemicals are not present in the final children's product; (2) pharmaceutical products or biologics; (3) consumer electronics products and electronic components; and (4) food and beverage packaging except for containers containing infant food or formula, and toddler food.

Beginning October 1, 2020, requires a retailer or distributor of a children's product, or a trade organization on behalf of its member retailers or distributors, to provide notice to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) (appears to intend the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)) of any children's products that contain a chemical regulated under this act. Requires an annual filing of this notice with DENR and specifies the information that the notice must contain.

Authorizes DENR to adopt rules as necessary to implement, administer, and enforce this Article.

Makes conforming changes to GS 130A-17(b), GS 130A-18(b), GS 130A-19(b), and GS 130A-20(b) to reflect the enacting of new Article 24.

Directs DEQ, in consultation with the Division of Public Health of the Department of Health and Human Services, to submit a report to the General Assembly by January 1, 2021, summarizing and evaluating retailers' and distributors' notices on chemicals of high concern as identified in Article 24. Specifies requirements for the content of the report. Provides that the definitions in new GS 130A-511, as enacted in Article 24 of this act in Section 1, apply to these provisions of Section 2 of this act, unless the context clearly requires otherwise.

Provides that Section 1, enacting new Article 24, becomes effective December 1, 2019, and the remainder of the act is effective when it becomes law.

Includes whereas clauses. 

Enacts new GS 143-64.17N to set the goal, by December 31, 2020, of achieving the following: (1) 100% of energy used in State-owned buildings must be generated from renewable energy sources and (2) 100% of the State-owned motor vehicle fleet and vehicles used on behalf of the State must be zero-emission vehicles. Requires the Department of Administration, State Energy Office, and the Department of Transportation to jointly develop a plan to achieve these goals and submit the plan to the 2020 General Assembly upon its convening. Makes additional conforming changes. 

Enacts new GS 103-15 (SUDEP Awareness Week), as title indicates.