The Daily Bulletin: 2021-03-01

Printer-friendly: Click to view

The Daily Bulletin: 2021-03-01

PUBLIC/HOUSE BILLS
H 186 (2021-2022) PRESUMED SHARED PARENTING/CHILD CUSTODY. Filed Mar 1 2021, AN ACT TO AMEND THE LAWS PERTAINING TO CHILD CUSTODY TO INCORPORATE A PRESUMED SHARED PARENTING STANDARD.

Amends GS 50-13.2 regarding terms of child custody, establishing a rebuttable presumption that joint custody and shared parenting is in the best interest of the child (previously, required consideration of joint custody upon a parent's request). Defines shared parenting to mean the child spends as close as possible to an equal amount of time with each parent. Requires the court to establish a parenting schedule that maximizes time each parent has with the child that best promotes the interest and welfare of the child if the court determines shared parenting is not warranted. Applies to cases pending or filed on or after the date the act becomes law. 

Intro. by Pierce.GS 50
H 187 (2021-2022) FUNDS/WAGRAM RECREATION CENTER. Filed Mar 1 2021, AN ACT TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR THE WAGRAM RECREATION CENTER IN SCOTLAND COUNTY.

Appropriates $50,000 for 2021-22 from the General Fund to Scotland County to purchase an air conditioning unit for the Wagram Recreation Center's gymnasium. Effective July 1, 2021.

Intro. by Pierce.APPROP, Scotland
H 188 (2021-2022) REMOVE BARRIERS/GAIN ACCESS TO ABORTION ACT. Filed Mar 1 2021, AN ACT TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO GAIN ACCESS TO ABORTION ACT (RBG ACT).

Identical to S 167, filed 3/1/21.

Includes whereas clauses. 

Section 1

Repeals Article 1I of GS Chapter 90, the Woman's Right to Know Act. 

Amends GS 14-45.1, which establishes when an abortion is unlawful. Eliminates the requirement for the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to publish the results and findings for annual inspections of clinics where abortions are performed on the website DHHS is required to maintain under Article 1I, the Women's Right to Know Act. Maintains the requirement for the annual inspection results and findings to be published on DHHS's website. Eliminates the definition given for qualified physician, as the term is used in the statute. Instead, deems a person who is qualified to practice medicine under Article 1 of GS Chapter 90, a physician assistant as defined by GS 90-18.1, a nurse practitioner as defined by GS 90-18.2, and a certified nurse midwife to fulfill the requirements and functions designated for a physician. Makes conforming changes. Enacts new subsection (h) to define medical emergency to mean a condition which, in reasonable medical judgment, so complicates the medical condition of the pregnant woman as to necessitate the immediate abortion of her pregnancy to avert her death or for which a delay will create serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function, not including any psychological or emotional conditions, and excluding claims or diagnosis that the woman will engage in conduct which would result in her death or in substantial or irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function (previously defined by statutory cross-reference to Article 1I, as repealed; enacts the substantively identical definition as previously cross-referenced).

Enacts GS 90-21.4(c) to extend the same limited immunity designated for a physician treating a minor without parental consent pursuant to the statute to a person who is qualified to practice medicine under Article 1 of GS Chapter 90, a physician assistant as defined by GS 90-18.1, a nurse practitioner as defined by GS 90-18.2, and a certified nurse midwife. Enacts a new subsection to GS 90-21.9, which provides an exception for a physician not meeting the requirements of parental consent for medical treatment of a minor during a medical emergency that requires an immediate abortion, to deem those same described persons to fulfill the requirements and functions designated for a physician under the statute.

Amends the following defined terms used in Article 1K, which prescribes prohibited abortions, to no longer define the terms by statutory cross-reference to GS 90-21.81 (the defined terms for Article 1I), but to instead provide substantively identical definitions as those previously referenced in Article 1I: abortion; attempt to perform an abortion; and woman.

Amends GS 90-21.121, which prohibits sex-selective abortions, to deem a person who is qualified to practice medicine under Article 1 of GS Chapter 90, a physician assistant as defined by GS 90-18.1, a nurse practitioner as defined by GS 90-18.2, and a certified nurse midwife to fulfill the requirements and functions designated for a physician under the statute.

Effective 30 days after the date the act becomes law and applies to acts on or after that date.

Section 2

Repeals GS 143C-6-5.5, which bars the use of State funds for the performance of abortions, or to support any governmental health plan or government-offered insurance policy offering abortion, unless the life of the mother would be endangered if the unborn child is carried to term, or the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. Makes conforming changes to GS 135-48.50, concerning abortion coverage under the State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees (SHP).

Section 3

Repeals GS 58-51-63, which holds similar prohibitions for abortion coverage under health plans offered through Health Benefit Exchanges under the federal Affordable Care Act, as specified, and operating in the State as those set out in GS 143C-6-5.5, as repealed.

Effective 30 days after the date the act becomes law and applies to contracts entered into, amended, or renewed on or after that date.

Section 4

Amends GS 153A-92 and GS 160A-162 to no longer prohibit counties and cities from providing abortion coverage to their officers and employees that is greater than that providing by the SHP.

Section 5

Provides for the act's provisions to become effective 30 days after the act becomes law, unless specified otherwise. 

Intro. by von Haefen, Butler, Fisher, Alston.GS 14, GS 58, GS 90, GS 135, GS 143C, GS 153A, GS 160A
H 189 (2021-2022) SECOND AMENDMENT PRESERVATION ACT. Filed Mar 1 2021, AN ACT TO ENACT THE SECOND AMENDMENT PRESERVATION ACT.

Includes whereas clauses.

Enacts GS 14-409.44, identifying five federal acts, laws, executive orders, administrative orders, court orders, rules, and regulations deemed infringements on the people's right to keep and bear arms guaranteed by the Second Amendment of the US Constitution and Section 30 of Article I of the NC Constitution, including any taxes on firearms, accessories or ammunition or registration or tracking of the owners of firearms, accessories or ammunition that might reasonably be expected to encroach on or impair the right of law-abiding citizens to purchase or own those items. Defines law-abiding citizen to mean a person who is not otherwise precluded under State law from possessing a firearm and excluding anyone who is not legally present in the US or NC. Defines the scope of the act to apply retroactively and deems described federal actions as null and void in the State. Deems it the duty of NC courts and law enforcement agencies to protect the described rights of law-abiding citizens within State borders and protect these rights from federal infringement. Prohibits any entity or person from enforcing the described federal actions prohibited by the act, or otherwise depriving a citizen of the rights and privileges of the Second Amendment or Section 30 of Article I of the NC Constitution, with injured parties authorized to bring an action against the violator(s) and receive reasonable attorneys' fees and costs if successful. Bars sovereign, official, or qualified immunity as an affirmative defense in any action brought under the act. Provides a severability clause. 

Intro. by Kidwell, Hanig, Goodwin, Adams.GS 14
H 191 (2021-2022) UNC PEMBROKE/HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER FUNDS. Filed Mar 1 2021, AN ACT TO PROVIDE FUNDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF A HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT PEMBROKE.

Identical to S 133, filed 2/23/21.

Transfers $6.5 million for 2021-22 and $20 million for 2022-23 from the General Fund to the State Capital and Infrastructure Fund. Appropriates those same amounts from the Fund to the UNC Board of Governors for the construction of a Health Science Center at UNC-Pembroke. Sets the total amount authorized for the project at $91 million. Effective July 1, 2021.

Intro. by B. Jones.APPROP
H 192 (2021-2022) COVID RESPONSE/SUPPLEMENTAL SPENDING 2020-21. Filed Mar 1 2021, AN ACT PROVIDING ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THE CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS, TO SUPPLEMENT COVID-19 RELIEF AND RESPONSE, AND FOR OTHER STATE NEEDS DURING THE 2020-2021 FISCAL YEAR.

Section 1.1

Specifies that the General Fund availability statement set out in Section 2.1A of SL 2019-242 (2019-21 Base Budgets/Certain Agencies), as amended, applies to the 2019-20 fiscal year only. Provides the General Fund availability used in adjusting the 2020-21 budget, with a revised total General Fund availability of $28,481,489,856, subtotal net General Fund Appropriations of $25,180,207,717, and unappropriated balance of $3,301,282,139. 

Section 1.2

Appropriates $20 million from the General Fund to the Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) for 2020-21 to be allocated to provide additional funds for the continuity of State agency operations experiencing increased costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic (pandemic). Specifies four authorized uses of the funds, including incurred COVID-19 related expenses and the continuation of providing critical services. 

Appropriates $10 million from the General Fund to OSBM for 2020-21 to be allocated to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS), the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) to provide for fee-supported activities and programs at each agency that has experienced substantial declines in revenue due to the pandemic. Specifies authorized uses, including planning for post-pandemic resumption of normal service levels.

Section 1.3

Appropriates $1 million from the General Fund to the Office of the State Treasurer, Local Government Commission for 2020-21 to support essential services provided by local government units whose control of financial affairs is fully assumed by the Commission.

Section 2.1

Appropriates $10 million from the General Fund to DACS for 2020-21 to provide grants to food banks experiencing increased demand due to the pandemic.

Section 2.2

Appropriates $30 million from the General Fund to OSBM for 2020-21 to be allocated to enhance high-speed internet access across the State through a multipronged approach. Authorizes use of the funds in specified amounts for specified projects and purposes by certain entities, including $12 million to the Community College System Office, $15.5 million to the Office of the Governor, and $2.5 million to DNCR.

Section 2.3

Appropriates $3 million from the General Fund to OSBM for counseling services to support small businesses. Requires allocation of $1 million each to the UNC Board of Governors, the Community College System Office, and the nonprofit contractor of the Department of Commerce.

Section 2.4

Appropriates $3 million from the General Fund to the following entities in specified amounts for 2020-21 to be used as a stimulus investment in their marketing budgets as specified: DACS ($500,000); DNCR ($500,000); Department of Commerce ($2 million).

Section 2.5

Appropriates $11.1 million from the General Fund to OSBM for 2020-21 to be allocated to The Golden L.E.A.F. Inc., for the Rapid Loan Recovery Program established in SL 2020-4 (2020 COVID-19 Recovery Act).

Section 2.6

Appropriates $20 million from the General Fund to the Department of Administration, Office of Historically Underutilized Businesses for 2020-21 for the RETOOLNC grant program for additional funding to assist State certified minority-owned and women-owned businesses in their pandemic recovery. 

Section 3.1

Appropriates from the General Fund to OSBM $4 million for 2020-21 for the NC Pandemic Recovery Office (NC PRO) to provide grants to nonprofits providing housing-related legal services to renters and homeowners facing hardship, eviction, or foreclosure due to the pandemic. Appropriates $500,000 from the General Fund to the Office of Administrative Hearings for 2020-21 to fund temporary positions needed to assist in handling fair housing discrimination case filings that have increased due to the pandemic. 

Section 4.1

Bars the ABC Commission from imposing a fee for the following:

(1) permit renewals under GS 18B-903(a)(5) (applicable to ABC permits other than permits valid indefinitely (on-premises and off-premises malt beverage, unfortified wine, and fortified wine permits, culinary permits) and limited special occasion permits, special one-time permits, and temporary permits) for the period from May 1, 2021, through April 30, 2022, for active permits as of April 30, 2021;

(2) limited special occasion permit, special one-time permit, and temporary permit renewals under GS 18B-903(a)(2) through (a)(4) from May 1, 2021, through April 30, 2022; and

(3) malt beverage, fortified wine, or unfortified wine permit registration under GS 18B-903(b1) due May 1, 2021, for active permits as of April 30, 2021.

Authorizes refunds for prepaid fees waived by the act and requires the Commission to collaborate with the Department of Public Safety to refund the full amount within 30 days of request.

Section 5.1

Appropriates $50 million from the General Fund to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) for 2020-21 to continue communicable disease emergency pay for employees who work in conditions that put them at increased risk of exposure. Restricts use to hazard pay for work performed during the 2020-21 fiscal year.

Section 5.2 

Requires the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to administer a one-time, lump sum bonus of $2,500 for qualifying public school employees, and $1,500 for noncertified public school employees who are permanent, full-time employees on a 12-month contract. Requires payment by April 20, 2021, and requires salaries to be supported from State funds and employment in their positions as of April 1, 2021. Provides for prorated and equitable one-time, lump sum bonuses for permanent, full-time employees on a contract for fewer than 12 months, permanent part-time employees, and temporary and permanent hourly employees. Defines public school unit. Defines qualifying public school to include a school in a local administrative unit, charter and regional schools, as well as State-supported and agency-operated schools. Defines qualifying public school employee to include teachers, instructional support personnel, principals, and assistant principals. Specifies the bonuses are in addition to regular wages or other bonuses, are not compensation under the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System (TSERS), and do not supplant local funds. Requires allocation to charter, regional, innovative, and laboratory schools on the basis of the funded average daily membership of each school. Excludes employees no longer employed prior to April 1, 2021. 

Appropriates $280 million and $77 million from the General Fund to OSBM for 2020-21 to be allocated to the specified agencies for bonuses for qualifying public school employees and noncertified public school employees, respectively.

Section 5.3

Appropriates $111 million from the General Fund to OSBM for 2020-21 to be allocated to the Community College System Board (CC System Board) and to the UNC Board of Governors (BOG) to fund one-time $2,000 compensation bonuses for their respective State-funded employees. Requires payment by April 30, 2021, to employees employed in State-funded positions on April 1, 2021. Excludes employees no longer employed prior to April 1, 2021. Specifies the bonuses are not compensation under TSERS. Requires adjustment pro rata for part-time employees. Requires payment regardless of placement within the employee's salary range. Specifies eligibility for recipients of disability benefits who have not terminated employment.

Section 5.4

Appropriates $64.5 million from the General Fund to the Department of State Treasurer for 2020-21 to be used for COVID-19 related expenses incurred by the NC State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees (SHP).

Section 6.1

Amends Section 4.6 of SL 2020-4, which directs the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to increase the fee-for-service Medicaid rates paid directly by the Division of Heath Benefits by 5%, effective March 1, 2020, to extend the provision's expiration to the earlier of (1) the date the declared nationwide public health emergency as a result of the 2019 novel cornavirus expires, (2) the date Executive Order No. 116 expires or is rescinded, or (3) June 30, 2021 (was, March 31, 2021).

Section 7.1

Enacts GS 96-14.2(a1), establishing a new weekly unemployment benefit amount as follows. Effective for new claims filed after February 20, 2021, sets the weekly benefit amount for an individual who is totally unemployed at an amount equal to the wages paid to the individual in the last two completed quarters of the individual's base period divided by 52 and rounded to the next lower whole dollar. Excludes from eligibility individuals whose amount calculated using the specified formula is less than $15. Caps the weekly benefit amount under the new provision at $500.

Section 7.2

Amends GS 96-14.3 to set the maximum duration for individuals eligible to receive unemployment benefits at 26 weeks for new unemployment insurance claims filed for any period beginning after November 28, 2020 (current law provides for 12 to 20 weeks based on the seasonal adjusted unemployment rate). Makes conforming changes. 

Section 7.3

Amends GS 96-9.2, regarding the contribution rate for experienced-rated employers, to specify that total insured wages under the statute means total wages reported by employers taxable under the statute for the 12-month period ending June 30 preceding the compensation date (previously referred to total wages reported by all insured employers). Effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2022.

Section 8.1

Amends Section 4.3 of SL 2020-4, which creates the  NC PRO, to provide for the authorization to continue through the later of the date when (1) the Governor signs an executive order rescinding Executive Order No. 116, or (2) all funds are appropriated from the COVID-19 Recovery Legislation and subsequent COVID-related funding have been expended (previously, expires and terminates 12 months from May 4, 2020).

Extends the reporting deadline set in Section 1.7 of SL 2020-4 for OSBM detailing the use of funds allocated in Section 3.3. of SL 2020-4, from April 1, 2021, to April 1, 2022.

Section 9.1

Appropriates federal funds received by the State under the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021 in amounts provided in the award notification. Authorizes State agencies to spend the funds subject to Director of Budget approval. Provides a schedule of estimated programs and grant amounts to be deposited in the State's Treasury and administered by State agencies. Appropriates additional amounts of which the final amount of federal funds awarded for the programs is not yet known.

Section 10.1

Appropriates federal funds received under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act , 2021, for Highway Infrastructure Programs, Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and People with Disabilities, and Grants-In-Aid for Airports to the Department of Transportation (DOT) as set forth in specified federal guidance. 

 

Intro. by Reives, Adcock, Harris, Lofton.APPROP, UNCODIFIED, GS 96
H 193 (2021-2022) EXEMPT PROPERTY FROM BOONE UDO. (NEW) Filed Mar 1 2021, AN ACT TO EXEMPT CERTAIN PROPERTY FROM THE UNIFIED DEVELOPMENT ORDINANCE OF THE TOWN OF BOONE.

Allows a local board of education to provide bus transportation to students for the remainder of the 2020-21 school year as follows: (1) for students receiving Plan A instruction, bus transportation must be provided in accordance with the Plan A requirements for transportation established in the StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit (K-12) issued on February 2, 2021; (2) for students receiving Plan B instruction, bus transportation must be provided in accordance with the Plan B requirements for transportation established in the aforementioned Toolkit; and (3) if a single bus simultaneously provides transportation to students receiving Plan A instruction and to those receiving Plan B instruction, then the requirement that no more than one passenger may be seated per school bus bench seat applies only to those students receiving Plan B instruction.

Intro. by Pickett, Saine.UNCODIFIED
H 194 (2021-2022) FEDERAL COURT OFFICIAL/CONCEALED CARRY. Filed Mar 1 2021, AN ACT TO ALLOW FEDERAL COURT OFFICIALS TO CARRY CONCEALED WEAPONS IN THE SAME MANNER AS STATE JUDGES.

Adds a new exemption to the prohibition against carrying a concealed weapon set out in GS 14-269 to exempt US Supreme Court justices, US Court of Appeals judges, US district court judges, US senior judges, US magistrate judges, US bankruptcy judges, US attorneys, and US assistant attorneys who have a concealed handgun permit, so long as the person is not carrying a concealed weapon at any time while consuming alcohol or an unlawful controlled substance, or while either remains in the person's body. Requires the individual to secure the weapon in a locked compartment when the weapon is not on the person. Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2021.

Intro. by Torbett.GS 14
H 195 (2021-2022) CRIMINAL FALSIFICATION OF MEDICAL RECORDS. Filed Mar 1 2021, AN ACT TO CREATE THE OFFENSE OF WILLFUL DESTRUCTION, ALTERATION, OR FALSIFICATION OF MEDICAL RECORDS.

Enacts GS 90-413, making it unlawful for a health care provider to knowingly and willfully destroy, alter, or falsify a medical record for either: (1) concealing the commission of an error by the health care provider in providing medical services that caused injury to or death of a patient, punishable as a Class H felony; (2) unlawfully obtaining money or any other thing of value, punishable as a Class I felony; or (3) concealing any material fact not covered in the previous two purposes relating to a potential claim or cause of action, punishable as a Class A1 misdemeanor. Specifies that the statute does not affect other civil remedies available for punishable actions. Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2021. 

Intro. by Pless.GS 14
H 196 (2021-2022) 2021 COVID-19 RESPONSE & RELIEF. Filed Mar 1 2021, AN ACT TO MAKE MODIFICATIONS TO COVID-19 RELIEF LEGISLATION AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE EXPENDITURE OF FEDERAL COVID-19 PANDEMIC RELIEF FUNDS.

Part I

Section 1.1

Appropriates federal funds received by the State under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, in the amounts provided in the award notifications and authorizes State agencies to spend the funds, subject to Director of Budget approval. Provides a schedule of the programs and grant amounts with estimates of allocations to be deposited in the State's Treasury and administered by State agencies. Appropriates additional federal funds of which the final amount awarded is not yet known, as specified.

Sections 1.2 and 1.3

Enacts subsection (c1) to SL 2020-1 (2020 COVID Relief Bill Modifications) to require the State Board of Education (State Board) to reserve a portion of funds remaining after the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) allocated federal funds to public school units pursuant to subsection (c) made available from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief II (ESSER II) Fund to be used to meet emergency needs of the elementary and secondary schools of the State pursuant to Section 5A of that act, as enacted.

Enacts Section 5A to SL 2021-1 to direct DPI to use the federal funds reserved pursuant to subsection (c1) of that act, as enacted, in specified amounts and specified purposes as follows: $500,000 to the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) for the State Library for the NC Kids Digital Library project; $500,000 to the Governor Morehead School for the Blind, the Eastern NC School for the Deaf, and the NC School for the Deaf; $1 million to the UNC Board of Governors for the NC New Teacher Support Program; $1 million to contract with a third-party to collect, analyze, and report data related to the overall impacts of COVID-19 on public school units, students, and families, with reporting by DPI to the specified NCGA committee in a preliminary report by March 15, 2022, and a final report by December 15, 2022; $1.2 million to the Wildlife Resources Commission for the Outdoor Heritage Special Fund and the Outdoor Heritage Advisory Council's NC Schools Go Outside program; $10 million to be allocated to each public school unit to ensure every public school unit received a total amount from the ESSER II Fund of at least $180 per pupil in federal grant funds, as specified; $10 million to be allocated in a manner consistent with the formula for Instructional Support Allotment for contracted health support personnel services; $10 million to be allocated to public school units participating in a federal school nutrition program, with prioritization as specified; $1 million to contract with a third-party entity to conduct a statewide assessment of the cybersecurity capabilities of public schools and threats posed to public schools in response to COVID-19, with DPI reporting to specified NCGA committee chairs by June 20, 2021; $9 million to implement a statewide cybersecurity program to implement a statewide cybersecurity program in public schools, with DPI administered program components, as specified; $12 million to contract with Voyager Sopris Learning, Inc. to provide Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling training for specified PreK to fifth grade educators during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years; $15 million for the Extended Learning and Integrated Student Supports Competitive Grant Program for grants of up to $500,000 a year to eligible programs with certified $3:$1 nongrant matching funds, with DPI using up to $200,000 for Program administration, as specified, and reporting to the specified NCGA committee annually by February 15; $40,000,000 to be held in reserve to be allocated to public school units to support in-person instruction programs to address learning loss and provide enrichment activities in the summer, prioritized based on need; $26,046,144 to be held in reserve to be allocated to public school units to support COVID-19 related needs, prioritizing based on need; up to $8,012,955 to be used for DPI's administrative costs; $1 million to contract with a third-party entity to conduct a statewide assessment of the cybersecurity capabilities of public schools and threats posed to public schools, with DPI reporting to specified NCGA committee chairs by June 30, 2021; and $9 million to contract with a third-party entity to implement a statewide cybersecurity program in public school infrastructure, as specified. Except for funds allocated for the Extended Learning and Integrated Student Supports Competitive Grant Program, DPI administrative costs, and the third-party contract for the statewide assessment of the cybersecurity capabilities of public schools under subdivision 16 and 17, requires any remaining ESSER II funds on August 15, 2022 to be reallocated to the reserve to be used for expenditure on or after that date to meet additional emergency needs of the elementary and secondary schools of the State, as determined by the State Board.

Section 1.4

Further amends Section 5 of SL 2021-1, adjusting the estimate set out in the schedule for the State's allocation from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, for Emergency Rental Assistance, to be administered by the Office of Recovery and Resiliency and the Office of State Budget and Management, from $546,597,070 to $546,596,104. Makes conforming changes. 

Enacts new subsection (e) to Section 5 of SL 2020-1, directing the Office of Recovery and Resiliency (ORR) to administer federal funds received for the Emergency Rental Assistance program (program) to local governments that received direct allocations from the federal program in their maximum allotment amount, as specified for each county, with ORR managing the funds in accordance with local priorities and federal requirements, subject to first exhausting their respective direct allocations from the federal program before expending any State allotment. Allows reallotment following specified reporting. Further directs ORR to administer federal funds received for the program to local governments that did not receive direct allocations from the federal program in their maximum aggregate amount allocation specified, to be provided to recipients renting housing in the respective county, with ORR reserving the maximum amount to the respective county minus pro-rata adjustments. Requires ORR to provide awards based on actual monthly rent owed by the tenant or the actual amount of utility costs owed. Requires ORR to continue to provide awards to each county that did not receive direct allocations from the federal program until maximum allotment amounts specified have been exhausted. Requires ORR to establish a hotline to provide eligible households with case management and other related pandemic services, with ORR authorized to use up to 10% for the hotline, housing sustainability services, and administrative costs, and up to 3% for administrative costs, deducted pro-rata from the maximum county allotments. Requires ORR to report to the specified NCGA committee chairs and division by May 15, 2021, as specified. Provides for proportional distribution of actual federal funds received from the program.

Section 1.5

Appropriates from federal Child Care and Development Block Grant funds received for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Child Development and Early Education (Division) $335,912,393 for cleaning and sanitation and copayment assistance for families receiving subsidized childcare, with legislative encouragement to use the some of the funds to address early childhood education learning loss, with authorization to use funds remaining upon maximizing the use for previously specified initiatives, for operational grants to childcare providers, as specified. Bars using the funds for staff bonuses.

Appropriates from the federal Community Mental Health Grant funds received for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, to DHHS, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services $47,465,800 for mental health services in response to COVID-19. Requires $2.1 million of the funds to be allocated to the NC Statewide Telepsychiatry Program (NC-STeP).

Appropriates from the federal Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block grants received for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, to DHHS, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services $11,249,046 to provide services across the State to those in need due to the pandemic.

Section 1.6

Allocates funds received pursuant to Division M, Title III of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, appropriated under Section 1.1 of this act as Enhancing Detection Through Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Funds, to DHHS, Division of Public Health in the amount received in the notification award for use in accordance with specified federal guidance, with $84 million to be allocated to local health departments and $15 million to be allocated to the NC Policy Collaboratory at UNC-Chapel Hill to meet specified requirements of the Emerging and Infection Disease Program Enhancing Detection Expansion cooperative agreement, and developing and managing a plan for an initiative to implement alternative COVID-19 surveillance methods throughout the State using UNC and other partnership resources, as specified. Details plan requirements, requiring CDC approval prior to fund allocation to the Collaboratory. Bars CDC-disapproved plan components and allows the Division of Public Health to use unexpended funds from disapproved plan components for any other CDC-approved activity allowed under the cooperative agreement grant. 

Section 1.6A

Directs DHHS to allocate up to $3 million to the Department of Information Technology, Government Data Analytics Center (GDAC) from the COVID-19 Vaccine Preparedness grant funds (described in Section 5(b) of SL 2020-1) or from FEMA funds, to the extent allowed under applicable federal law and guidance and not exceeding actual costs of authorized projects. Restricts use of funds to: (1) integration of the NC COVID Vaccine Management System (CVMS) with the statewide health information exchange network (NC HealthConnex); and (2) added functionality to both CVMS and NC HealthConnex to support existing efforts to improve the State's public health response to COVID-19. Provides for alternatively allocating up to $3 million of the funds of the ELC Enhancing Detection through Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental funds described in Section 1.1 of this act to GDAC to cover the costs of the authorized projects in the event the federal government disapproved DHHS allocating the Section 5(b) of SL 2020-1 or FEMA funds to GDAC for these purposes.

Section 1.7

Appropriates $1,085,486 of federal funds received pursuant to the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) for Grants-In-Aid for Airports to the Department of Transportation (DOT) in amounts specified in the FAA guidance to be used and allocated by DOT as specified. 

Appropriates federal funds received pursuant to the CRRSAA for Highway Infrastructure Programs to DOT in amounts specified in federal guidance to be used and allocated by DOT with $3o million to DOT for maintenance activities within the Roadside Environmental Unit for litter removal and other programmed activities, $199,282,615 to the Highway Trust Fund to advance the State Transportation Improvement Program delayed projects and delayed bridge replacement and interstate maintenance, and $29,454,289 to be suballocated to urbanized areas with a population of over 200,000 as set forth in federal guidance. 

Appropriates $781,861 of federal funds received pursuant to the CRRSAA for the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and People with Disabilities Program to DOT in the amounts specified in federal guidance to be used and allocated by DOT in accordance with federal and Department guidance.

Prohibits using appropriated CRRSAA funds for employee salary or benefits.

Requires allocating $30 million of the funds appropriated from the Highway Fund to DOT for 2020-21 to the Roadside Environmental Fund for litter removal and other programmed activities within the Unit, in addition to the $90 million authorized in the Spend Plan, as specified. 

Requires DOT to quarterly report to the specified NCGA committee on the use of appropriated CRRSAA funds. 

Section 1.8

Requires federal grant funds received under Part I of the act to be quarterly reported on as specified, including quarterly reporting by public school units and DPI, and State agencies and Departments.

Specifies that the appropriations of Part I do not obligate or create ongoing obligations of the State for future appropriations for programs or other purposes for which the funds must be used.

Part II

Section 2.1

Amends Section 4.6 of SL 2020-4, which directs the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to increase the fee-for-service Medicaid rates paid directly by the Division of Heath Benefits by 5%, effective March 1, 2020, to extend the provision's expiration to the earlier of (1) the date the declared nationwide public health emergency as a result of the 2019 novel cornavirus expires, (2) the date Executive Order No. 116 expires or is rescinded, or (3) June 30, 2021 (was, March 31, 2021).

Section 2.2

Amends Section 3.3 of SL 2020-4 (2020 COVID-19 Recovery Act), as amended, subdivision (8) concerning the allocation of $21 million to DPI for the provision of community and home mobile internet access points for students. Regarding the prohibition against using the funds for subscription services, specifies that subscription services excludes internet service provided as part of the purchase price of a device or internet service purchased for a device without an ongoing monthly subscription. 

Section 2.3

Amends Section 2.28 of SL 2020-3 (COVID-19 Recovery Act) to now prohibit UNC constituent institutions from accruing or charging any interest to a past-due account receival held by a student between March 13, 2020, and December 31, 2021 (was, September 15, 2020).

Section 2.4

Authorizes UNC employees subject to the NC Human Resources Act to use accrues sick, vacation, and bonus leave for any COVID-19 related absences. Excludes leave options related to terminal leave payouts for transfers, separations, or reductions in force, terminal use of leave prior to retirement, or unpaid time due to placement on a temporary emergency furlough. Expires December 31, 2021. 

Section 2.5

Amends Section 3.2 of SL 2020-97 (Coronavirus Relief Act 3.0) to allow the two virtual charter schools to increase enrollment for the 2021-22 school year as authorized for the 2020-21 school year. Adds a March 15, 2022 and a November 15, 2022 reporting deadline. Makes conforming changes.

Section 2.6

Amends Section 4.2 of SL 2019-245, extending the period for which civil actions for sexual child abuse otherwise time-barred under GS 1-52 as it existed immediately before the enactment of SL 2019-245, to January 1, 2020, until December 31, 2022 (was, December 31, 2021).

Section 2.7

Requires local governments to issue a temporary certificate of compliance and temporary certificate of occupancy to a health service facility allowing for the full operation use of the facility in three circumstances, as described, including that the facility is currently under construction and the scheduled completion date will occur before rescission of the COVID-19 emergency declaration. Defines local government, health care facility, and COVID-19 emergency declaration. Expires upon the later of the recession of the COVID-19 emergency declaration or upon completion of the roadway improvements agreed to by the facility.

Section 2.8

Amends Section 3D.3 of SL 2020-3, regarding the authorization process for immunizing pharmacists to administer COVID-19 vaccines. Enacts a new subdivision to require the State Health Director to amend, reissue, or replace existing statewide standing order issued under Section 3D.3 to ensure that the statewide standing order is consistent with federal law and guidance pertaining to qualified individuals who can administer COVID-19 vaccines, as specified. Makes conforming changes to the civil and criminal immunity provisions. 

Section 2.9

Amends GS 90-85.15B to authorize an immunizing pharmacist to administer a long-acting injectable medication to persons 18 or older pursuant to a specific prescription order by a prescriber, so long as the immunizing pharmacist maintains specified records of administration in a patient profile or record, and notified the patient's primary care provider within 72 hours of administration. Makes conforming changes to GS 90-85.3. 

Authorizes the NC Board of Pharmacy to adopt temporary implementing rules.

Effective October 1, 2021.

Section 2.10

Amends GS 10B-25 and GS 10B-200 to extend the expiration of the temporary authorizations for emergency video notarization and emergency video witnessing from March 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021. Effective March 1, 2021.

Section 2.11

Authorizes the NC Appraisal Board to amend, extend, or adopt emergency rules to modify any educational requirements implemented by the Board in accordance with specified uncodified law, with adopted emergency rules expiring December 31, 2021.

Section 2.12

Amends the effective date of Section 3E.3 of SL 2020-3, which (1) suspended all annual and biennial inspections and regular monitoring requirements for specified licensed facilities except as necessary to avoid serious injury, harm, impairment, or death to employees, residents, or patients of these facilities or as directed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and (2) required training on infection control and the proper use of personal protective equipment for employees of facilities that were determined to be in violation, assessed penalties, or placed on probation within the six-month period preceding the beginning of the COVID-19 emergency, for noncompliance with rules, statutes, or guidelines on infection control or the proper use of personal protective equipment. Provides that this expires upon the earlier of 60 days after Executive Order No. 116 is rescinded or December 31, 2021 (was, or December 32, 2020).

Section 2.13

Amends Section 3D.7 of SL 2020-3, which enacted Article 1L, Emergency or Disaster Treatment Protection Act, by making the section applicable to acts or omissions occurring during the time of Executive Order No. 116  (previously, also included any subsequent time period during which a state of emergency is declared to be in effect during 2020 by the Governor). Applies retroactively to acts and omissions occurring on or after May 4, 2020.

Section 2.14

Amends GS 90-21.132 to also include in the definition of health care provider (as it applies to Article 1L, Emergency or Disaster Treatment Protection Act), an individual who volunteers to assist a State agency, department, or approved organization in the administration of COVID-19 vaccinations, including clinical, clinical support, and nonclinical support activities.

Section 2.15

Amends GS 131D-2.4, concerning the license of adult care homes, as follows. Adds definitions for the following terms as they are used in the statute: person, owner, affiliate, and principal. Amends the conditions under which an applicant for licensure is the owner, principal, or affiliate of an adult care home and is responsible for the operation of the facility that had its license downgraded to provisional status or had its admissions suspended due to the specified types of violations, is prohibited from being issued a new license so that it is now until the date of (was, until six months from the date of) restoration from provisional to full licensure, termination of the provisional license, or lifting or termination of the suspension of admissions, as applicable. Adds that a provisional license or suspension of admissions for which an appeal is pending is exempt. Makes additional clarifying changes. Specifies that this supersedes any provision of the NC Administrative Code to the contrary. Requires the Medical Care Commission, as promptly as practicable, to amend and update the specified rule and any other impacted rule to reflect the changes made in this section. Specifies that this section applies to (1) applications for new licenses submitted to the Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR) on or after the effective date of this section, (2) applications for the renewal of existing licenses submitted to the DHSR on or after the effective date of this section, and (3) licenses downgraded by DHSR within the six-month period preceding the effective date of this section.

Section 2.16

Repeals Section 2.6(b) of SL 2020-80, which, effective March 15, 2021, would have amended GS 116B-67 to allow a person claiming property paid or delivered to the Treasurer to file a claim on a form no matter the amount of the claim (current law limits it to when the amount claimed exceeds $250, with all other claims paid by the Unclaimed Property Division upon verification of ownership).

Section 2.17

Extends the expiration of Section 3D.5(e) of SL 2020-3 (which prohibited enforcing any provision of the quality improvement plan rules to the extent specified, prohibited enforcing any provision of the quality improvement plan rules or the application fee rules to the extent they require any individual to fill out an application or pay a fee for individuals providing volunteer health care services in response to the pandemic, and prohibited enforcing any provision of the annual review rules) from December 31, 2021, to December 31, 2022.

Section 2.18

Allows a pharmacist to dispense the following controlled substances to individuals who present a valid prescription (if one is required under current law), and an NC drivers license or identification card that expired while Executive Order No. 116 (2020) remains in effect: (1) paregoric, U.S.P.; (2) any Schedule II controlled substances; (3) any of the Schedule III controlled substances listed in subdivisions (1) through (8) of subsection (d) of GS 90-91 (materials, compounds, mixtures, or preparations containing limited quantities of any of the specified narcotic drugs); (4) any Schedule V controlled substances; and (5) pseudoephedrine products. Expires six months after the earlier of the date the Governor signs an executive order rescinding Executive Order No. 116 (2020), or December 31, 2021.

Section 2.19

Enacts Article 21 in GS Chapter 153A (applicable to counties) and Article 31 in GS Chapter 160A (applicable to cities), entitled “Tourism Development Authorities,” providing as follows. Allows a tourism development authority to enter into a PPP loan. Requires compliance with all the requirements and limitations of the PPP loan program and requires applying for forgiveness of the loan in a timely manner. Prohibits a tourism development authority from obligating the State or the county/city (as applicable) that established the authority to repay a PPP loan and has no power to pledge the credit of the State or the county/city that established the authority. Requires a tourism development authority to give written notice to the board of commissioners/city council (as applicable) within 30 days of its acceptance of a PPP loan; specifies items to be included in the notice. Requires a tourism development authority for which a PPP loan is not forgiven to repay the loan and interest from occupancy tax proceeds remitted to the authority on or after receipt of the PPP loan proceeds. Repeals both Articles January 1, 2028.

Section 2.20

Requires the Department of Health and Human Services, by July 1, 2021, to give each prepaid health plan (as defined by statute) access to client-specific immunization information contained within the North Carolina Immunization Registry.

Section 2.21

Amends Section 3.21 of SL 2020-97, which extended by 120 days the expiration of any development approval and associated vested rights of any development approval that was current and valid at any point during the period beginning September 2, 2020, and ending 30 days after Executive Order No. 116 is rescinded. Amends the extension to now automatically extend the approval for 150 days from the date the Executive Order is rescinded. Makes conforming changes. Applies retroactively to vested rights existing on and after September 4, 2020.

Section 2.22

Amends Section 4.2A of SL 2020-4, as amended, by expanding the entities eligible for meat processing grants, to include facilities producing further processed meat products for which the USDA contracts with DACS inspectors to conduct federal inspection activities authorized by the Talmadge-Aiken Act of 1962 at the plant, or which is a State-inspected facility, or which is a USDA inspected processor of shelf-stable meat or meat products. Makes conforming changes to the NCGA’s findings related to the grant program.

Part III.

Section 3.1

Amends Section 3.3 of SL 2020-4, as amended, by amending the amounts allocated by OSBM (from funds from the Coronavirus Relief Fund) as follows. Increases the allocation for Golden LEAF for small business loan assistance from $75 million to $83 million. Increases the amount allocated to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) to support meat processing facilities and seafood processing facilities from $20,250,000, to $26,250,000. Decreases the amount allocated to the Division of Emergency Management to be used as the State match for any FEMA public assistance funds provided in response to the pandemic from $120 million to $80 million. Removes the allocation meant for the PPE-NC Initiative that was to be allocated as a grant to Conover (see the replacement allocation described below); requires that the already specified allocation of $5.3 million be allocated to OSBM for a grant to Gaston County to construct an Incubator and Extrusion Center for Advanced Fibers, no longer allocating through the PPE-NC Initiative. Adds an allocation of $6 million to DACS to be distributed equally among the state’s food banks; encourages the food banks to use the funds to purchase food from NC-based farmers and vendors. Adds an allocation of $8 million to the Department of Administration for the ReTOOLNC grant program to provide additional funds to assist state-certified, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses in their recovery. Adds an allocation of $3 million to the Department of Commerce for a North Carolina nonprofit with which the Department contracts as a stimulus investment in Visit North Carolina’s marketing budget to be used to market the state as a business and tourism destination. Adds an allocation of $1 million to DACS to market the state’s agricultural products and state-owned attractions. Adds an allocation of $2 million to DACS for the Farm Worker Quarantine Program, to reimburse eligible expenses (as defined) for eligible farm workers (defined as a worker who is an alien under federal law who is performing agricultural labor or service on a farm in this state) required to quarantine apart from family or coworkers following a positive COVID-19 test.

Section 3.2

Appropriates $9 million for 2020-21 from the General Fund to OSBM to be allocated as a grant to Conover as follows: (1) $7.25 million for a facility to house testing labs, rapid prototyping, and a textile sourcing library; (2) $1.25 million for a clean room upfit for MSC facilities; and (3) $500,000 for equipment, materials, and logistics for a rapid prototyping pilot line to create products and train a workforce for US PPE manufactures (these are the same funds and purposes as previously allocated, and now deleted, to the PPE-NC Initiative). Specifies that these funds do not revert until June 30, 2022.

Section 3.3

Amends Section 4.1 of SL 2021-1, as follows. Increases the amount transferred from the General Fund to the State Capital and Infrastructure Fund from $39 million to $45 million for 2020-21. Make a corresponding increase in the amount appropriated from the State Capital and Infrastructure Fund to the Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology Fund; also increases by $6 million the amount of those funds that are to be distributed in the special supplementary grant process.

Section 3.4

Amends Section 8 of SL 2020-64, as amended, as follows. Increases the amount to be transferred from the Coronavirus Relief Reserve to the Fund, from $684.4 million to $699.4 million; makes a corresponding increase in the amount that is appropriated from the Fund to OSBM for 2020-21 to offset General Fund appropriations across State government for allowable expenditure of funds from the Fund. Increases the amount of the beginning negative appropriation balance in the Statewide Reserve for Appropriations from $684.4 million to $699.4 million.

Section 3.5

Amends Section 3.1 of SL 2020-4, as amended, to decrease the amount that the State Controller must transfer for 2019-20 from the Reserve to the Fund, from $2,324,390,646 to $2,309,390,646. Amends Section 3.2 of the act to decrease the amount appropriated from the Fund to OSBM in 2019-20 to be allocated and used as provided in Section 3.3 of the act from $2,624,390,646, to $2,609,390,646.

Intro. by Faircloth, Bumgardner, K. Hall, Strickland.APPROP, GS 10B, GS 90, GS 131D, GS 153A, GS 160A
H 197 (2021-2022) NC CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY ACT. Filed Mar 1 2021, AN ACT TO PROTECT A PERSON'S RIGHT TO CARRY A CONCEALED HANDGUN WITHOUT A PERMIT AND TO CONTINUE ALLOWING PERSONS TO ACQUIRE A CONCEALED HANDGUN PERMIT FOR THE PURPOSES OF RECIPROCITY OR FOR ANY OTHER REASON DESIRED.

Amends GS 14-269, which prohibits carrying concealed weapons, to establish that the term weapon does not include a firearm for purposes of the statute. Makes conforming changes to eliminate subsections (a1) and (a2) pertaining to carrying a concealed handgun with a permit and the punishments set out for violations of those subsections in subsection (c). Makes further conforming changes to eliminate related defenses to prosecution under this statute. Adds new subsection (a3) to clarify that the exceptions to the prohibition on carrying a concealed weapon listed in subsection (b) of the statute that include a condition that the person have a concealed carry permit require a person to have a concealed handgun permit issued in accordance with Article 54B of GS Chapter 54B or one considered valid under GS 14-415.24 (reciprocity for out-of-state handgun permits or licenses) to qualify as an exception. 

Enacts Article 54C, Carrying Concealed Handguns, to establish that any person who is a US citizen and is at least 18 years old can carry a concealed handgun in North Carolina unless prohibited otherwise by law. Makes it unlawful for a person who meets any of the 14 specified criteria to carry a concealed handgun, including a person who is under indictment for a felony, or who is or has been adjudicated to be a danger to self or others due to mental illness or lack of mental capacity. Makes a violation of this prohibition a Class 2 misdemeanor for a first offense, and a Class H felony for a second or subsequent offense. Requires a person to carry valid identification when carrying a concealed handgun. Further, requires a person to disclose to any law enforcement officer that the person is carrying a concealed handgun when approached or addressed by the officer, and to display the proper identification upon the officer's request. Makes a violation of this subsection an infraction punishable in accordance with GS 14-3.1 (setting a penalty not to exceed $100).

Prohibits carrying a concealed weapon, unless provided otherwise by law, (1) in an area prohibited by a rule adopted by the Legislative Services Commission under GS 120-32.1 concerning State legislative buildings and grounds, (2) in any area prohibited by 18 USC 922 or any other federal law, (3) in a law enforcement or correctional facility, or (4) on any private premises where notice is given by posting a conspicuous notice or statement by the person in legal possession or control of the premises that carrying a concealed handgun is prohibited. Exempts any person listed in GS 14-415.41 [intends to exempt persons listed in GS 14-269(b)] from this prohibition. Makes a violation of this statute a Class 1 misdemeanor.

Makes conforming changes to GS 14-269.3, which prohibits carrying weapons into assemblies and establishments where alcoholic beverages are sold and consumed, to exempt a person carrying a concealed handgun from the prohibition (previously, exempted persons carrying a concealed handgun with a valid permit under GS 14-415.24, a concealed handgun permit considered valid under GS 14-415.24, or a person who is exempt from obtaining a permit under GS 14-415.25). Does not make changes to the clarification that a person may not carry a handgun on any premises where the person in legal possession or control of the premises has posted a conspicuous notice prohibiting the carrying of a concealed handgun on the premises in accordance with GS 14-415.11(c). Makes similar conforming changes to GS 14-269.4 to exempt a person carrying a concealed handgun from the prohibition on carrying weapons into certain State property and courthouses, so long as the firearm is in a closed compartment or container within the person's locked vehicle or in a locked container securely affixed to the person's vehicle (previously, exempted persons carrying a concealed handgun with a valid permit under GS 14-415.24, a concealed handgun permit considered valid under GS 14-415.24, or a person who is exempt from obtaining a permit under GS 14-415.25, who has a firearm in the locked vehicle as specified). Makes similar conforming changes to exempt carrying a concealed handgun from the prohibition of possessing any dangerous weapons at parades or funeral processions (previously, exempted persons carrying a concealed handgun with a valid permit under GS 14-415.24, a concealed handgun permit considered valid under GS 14-415.24, or is exempt from obtaining a permit under GS 14-415.25). Does not make changes to the clarification that a person may not carry a handgun on any premises where the person in legal possession or control of the premises has posted a conspicuous notice prohibiting the carrying of a concealed handgun on the premises in accordance with GS 14-415.11(c).

Amends GS 14-269.1 to include convictions under new GS 14-415.35(b) to the convicted offenses for which the presiding trial judge must order the confiscation and disposal of the deadly weapon referenced in the conviction, in the judge's discretion as specified. Also establishes that this provision applies to a conviction of any offense in addition to those specified involving the use of a deadly weapon, including a firearm.

Amends GS 14-269.2, which prohibits the carrying of weapons on any kind of educational property or to a curricular or extracurricular school-sponsored activity, as follows. Amends subsection (i) to exempt employees who reside on the higher education institution or nonpublic post-secondary educational institution at which the person is employed, who in addition to meeting other specified qualifications, has a handgun on the premises of the employee's residence or in a closed compartment or container within the employee's locked vehicle located in a parking area of the property at which the person is employed and resides (previously, exempted persons carrying a concealed handgun with a valid permit or who is exempt from obtaining a permit under Article 54B of GS Chapter 14). Makes conforming changes to eliminate provisions concerning employees who are not authorized to carry a concealed handgun pursuant to Article 54B of GS Chapter 14. Makes identical changes to subsection (j) exempting employees of a public or nonpublic school who reside on the campus of the school at which the person is employed. Makes conforming changes to eliminate reference to concealed handgun permits in the exemption set out in subsection (k), which sets out parameters for how a handgun must be kept in a locked compartment within the person's locked vehicle. 

Amends GS 14-401.24, which sets out the provisions for the unlawful possession and use of unmanned aircraft systems, to make a clarifying change to define the term weapon to include any object capable of inflicting serious bodily injury or death when used as a weapon, including a firearm. 

Amends GS 14-409.40, which establishes the regulation of firearms as an issue of general statewide concern, to provide that nothing in this statute prohibits municipalities or counties from application of their authority under GS 14-415.35 (as enacted by this act).

Amends GS 14-415.4, which provides for the restoration of firearms rights, to direct the court to deny the petition to restore the firearms rights of any petitioner if the court finds the petitioner is under indictment for a felony (previously, if the court finds that the petitioner is under indictment for a felony or a finding of probable cause exists against the petitioner for a felony).

Enacts GS 14-415.10A to provide that the State of North Carolina is to continue to make a concealed handgun permit available, even though it is lawful to carry a concealed handgun without a permit under new GS 14-415.35, to any person who applies for and is eligible to receive a concealed handgun permit pursuant to Article 54B of GS Chapter 14, reasoning that a permit is convenient for purposes of reciprocity when traveling out of state and to make the purchase of a firearm. 

Amends GS 14-415.11 to eliminate the provision that allows a military concealed handgun permitee to carry a concealed handgun during the 90 days following the end of deployment when that permitee's permit has expired during deployment. 

Repeals GS 14-415.22 (the construction provisions of Article 54B of GS Chapter 14).

Amends GS 74E-6 to provide that company police officers have the authority to carry concealed weapons pursuant to and in conformity with new GS 14-415.35 in addition to GS 14-269(b)(4) and (5) if duly authorized by the superior officer in charge. Company police agencies can be a hospital, a State institution, or a corporation engaged in providing on-site police security personnel service for persons or property under GS 74E-2 that is certified by the Attorney General in accordance with The Company Police Act, GS Chapter 74E.

Amends GS 74G-6  to provide that campus police officers have the authority to carry concealed weapons pursuant to and in conformity with new GS 14-415.35 in addition to GS 14-269(b) if duly authorized by their campus police agency and by the sheriff of the county in which the campus police agency is located. Campus police agencies can be public educational institutions operating under the authority of the UNC Board of Governors or the State Board of Community Colleges and private educational institutions licensed by the UNC Board of Governors pursuant to GS 116-15 or that are exempt from licensure by the Board of Governors pursuant to GS 116-15(c) and certified by the Attorney General in accordance with The Campus Police Act, GS Chapter 74G.

Amends GS 113-136 to authorize inspectors and protectors of the Department of Environmental Quality to arrest for violations of new GS 14-415.35, subject to the direction of administrative superiors, relating to matters within the jurisdiction of the Department concerning the conservation of marine and estuarine resources and relating to matters within the jurisdiction of the Wildlife Resources Commission concerning boating and water safety, hunting and trapping, fishing, and activities in woodlands and on inland waters. 

Effective December 1, 2021.

Intro. by Kidwell, Hanig, Goodwin, Setzer.GS 14, GS 74E, GS 74G, GS 113

The Daily Bulletin: 2021-03-01

PUBLIC/SENATE BILLS
S 37 (2021-2022) IN-PERSON LEARNING CHOICE FOR FAMILIES. Filed Feb 1 2021, AN ACT TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO IN-PERSON LEARNING FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES KINDERGARTEN THROUGH TWELVE.

The Governor vetoed the act on 02/26/21. The Governor's objections and veto message are available here: https://webservices.ncleg.gov/ViewBillDocument/2021/777/0/S37-BD-NBC-8733.

Intro. by Ballard, Lee, Hise.UNCODIFIED
S 167 (2021-2022) REMOVE BARRIERS/GAIN ACCESS TO ABORTION ACT. Filed Mar 1 2021, AN ACT TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO GAIN ACCESS TO ABORTION ACT (RBG ACT).

Includes whereas clauses. 

Section 1

Repeals Article 1I of GS Chapter 90, the Woman's Right to Know Act. 

Amends GS 14-45.1, which establishes when an abortion is unlawful. Eliminates the requirement for the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to publish the results and findings for annual inspections of clinics where abortions are performed on the website DHHS is required to maintain under Article 1I, the Women's Right to Know Act. Maintains the requirement for the annual inspection results and findings to be published on DHHS's website. Eliminates the definition given for qualified physician, as the term is used in the statute. Instead, deems a person who is qualified to practice medicine under Article 1 of GS Chapter 90, a physician assistant as defined by GS 90-18.1, a nurse practitioner as defined by GS 90-18.2, and a certified nurse midwife to fulfill the requirements and functions designated for a physician. Makes conforming changes. Enacts new subsection (h) to define medical emergency to mean a condition which, in reasonable medical judgment, so complicates the medical condition of the pregnant woman as to necessitate the immediate abortion of her pregnancy to avert her death or for which a delay will create serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function, not including any psychological or emotional conditions, and excluding claims or diagnosis that the woman will engage in conduct which would result in her death or in substantial or irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function (previously defined by statutory cross-reference to Article 1I, as repealed; enacts the substantively identical definition as previously cross-referenced).

Enacts GS 90-21.4(c) to extend the same limited immunity designated for a physician treating a minor without parental consent pursuant to the statute to a person who is qualified to practice medicine under Article 1 of GS Chapter 90, a physician assistant as defined by GS 90-18.1, a nurse practitioner as defined by GS 90-18.2, and a certified nurse midwife. Enacts a new subsection to GS 90-21.9, which provides an exception for a physician not meeting the requirements of parental consent for medical treatment of a minor during a medical emergency that requires an immediate abortion, to deem those same described persons to fulfill the requirements and functions designated for a physician under the statute.

Amends the following defined terms used in Article 1K, which prescribes prohibited abortions, to no longer define the terms by statutory cross-reference to GS 90-21.81 (the defined terms for Article 1I), but to instead provide substantively identical definitions as those previously referenced in Article 1I: abortionattempt to perform an abortion; and woman.

Amends GS 90-21.121, which prohibits sex-selective abortions, to deem a person who is qualified to practice medicine under Article 1 of GS Chapter 90, a physician assistant as defined by GS 90-18.1, a nurse practitioner as defined by GS 90-18.2, and a certified nurse midwife to fulfill the requirements and functions designated for a physician under the statute.

Effective 30 days after the date the act becomes law and applies to acts on or after that date.

Section 2

Repeals GS 143C-6-5.5, which bars the use of State funds for the performance of abortions, or to support any governmental health plan or government-offered insurance policy offering abortion, unless the life of the mother would be endangered if the unborn child is carried to term, or the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest. Makes conforming changes to GS 135-48.50, concerning abortion coverage under the State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees (SHP).

Section 3

Repeals GS 58-51-63, which holds similar prohibitions for abortion coverage under health plans offered through Health Benefit Exchanges under the federal Affordable Care Act, as specified, and operating in the State as those set out in GS 143C-6-5.5, as repealed.

Effective 30 days after the date the act becomes law and applies to contracts entered into, amended, or renewed on or after that date.

Section 4

Amends GS 153A-92 and GS 160A-162 to no longer prohibit counties and cities from providing abortion coverage to their officers and employees that is greater than that providing by the SHP.

Section 5

Provides for the act's provisions to become effective 30 days after the act becomes law, unless specified otherwise. 

Intro. by Marcus, Murdock, Chaudhuri.GS 14, GS 58, GS 90, GS 135, GS 143C, GS 153A, GS 160A
S 168 (2021-2022) HISTORIC SCHOOL PRESERVATION GRANT FUNDS. Filed Mar 1 2021, AN ACT APPROPRIATING FUNDS TO THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES TO ESTABLISH AND IMPLEMENT A HISTORIC SCHOOL PRESERVATION GRANT PROGRAM.

Appropriates $5 million for 2021-22 from the General Fund to the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, Office of Archives and History, for a historic school preservation grant program, with grants provided to local governments and nonprofit organizations to preserve historic schools. Requires the funds to be used to rehabilitate certified historic structures initially used for an educational purpose. Requires the Secretary to establish eligibility guidelines and prohibits a recipient or new project from receiving a total of more than $250,000 in grant funds for the 2021-22 fiscal year. Specifies that funds do not revert at the end of the 2021-22 fiscal year but instead remain available for grants until all funds are expended. Effective July 1, 2021.

Intro. by Davis.APPROP
S 172 (2021-2022) ADDITIONAL COVID-19 RESPONSE & RELIEF. (NEW) Filed Mar 1 2021, AN ACT TO ESTABLISH THE STATE FISCAL RECOVERY RESERVE AND FUND, CORONAVIRUS CAPITAL PROJECTS RESERVE AND FUND, AND LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY RESERVE AND FUND TO MAINTAIN FUNDS PAID TO THE STATE FROM THE CORONAVIRUS STATE FISCAL RECOVERY FUND, CORONAVIRUS CAPITAL PROJECTS FUND, AND CORONAVIRUS LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUND; TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FROM THE LOCAL FISCAL RECOVERY FUND FOR DISTRIBUTION TO NONENTITLEMENT UNITS OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT; TO APPROPRIATE CERTAIN FEDERAL GRANT FUNDS PROVIDED TO THE STATE UNDER THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT; AND TO MAKE TECHNICAL AND OTHER CHANGES.

Identical to H 196, filed 3/1/2021.

Part I

Section 1.1

Appropriates federal funds received by the State under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, in the amounts provided in the award notifications and authorizes State agencies to spend the funds, subject to Director of Budget approval. Provides a schedule of the programs and grant amounts with estimates of allocations to be deposited in the State's Treasury and administered by State agencies. Appropriates additional federal funds of which the final amount awarded is not yet known, as specified.

Sections 1.2 and 1.3

Enacts subsection (c1) to SL 2020-1 (2020 COVID Relief Bill Modifications) to require the State Board of Education (State Board) to reserve a portion of funds remaining after the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) allocated federal funds to public school units pursuant to subsection (c) made available from the Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief II (ESSER II) Fund to be used to meet emergency needs of the elementary and secondary schools of the State pursuant to Section 5A of that act, as enacted.

Enacts Section 5A to SL 2021-1 to direct DPI to use the federal funds reserved pursuant to subsection (c1) of that act, as enacted, in specified amounts and specified purposes as follows: $500,000 to the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) for the State Library for the NC Kids Digital Library project; $500,000 to the Governor Morehead School for the Blind, the Eastern NC School for the Deaf, and the NC School for the Deaf; $1 million to the UNC Board of Governors for the NC New Teacher Support Program; $1 million to contract with a third-party to collect, analyze, and report data related to the overall impacts of COVID-19 on public school units, students, and families, with reporting by DPI to the specified NCGA committee in a preliminary report by March 15, 2022, and a final report by December 15, 2022; $1.2 million to the Wildlife Resources Commission for the Outdoor Heritage Special Fund and the Outdoor Heritage Advisory Council's NC Schools Go Outside program; $10 million to be allocated to each public school unit to ensure every public school unit received a total amount from the ESSER II Fund of at least $180 per pupil in federal grant funds, as specified; $10 million to be allocated in a manner consistent with the formula for Instructional Support Allotment for contracted health support personnel services; $10 million to be allocated to public school units participating in a federal school nutrition program, with prioritization as specified; $1 million to contract with a third-party entity to conduct a statewide assessment of the cybersecurity capabilities of public schools and threats posed to public schools in response to COVID-19, with DPI reporting to specified NCGA committee chairs by June 20, 2021; $9 million to implement a statewide cybersecurity program to implement a statewide cybersecurity program in public schools, with DPI administered program components, as specified; $12 million to contract with Voyager Sopris Learning, Inc. to provide Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling training for specified PreK to fifth grade educators during the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years; $15 million for the Extended Learning and Integrated Student Supports Competitive Grant Program for grants of up to $500,000 a year to eligible programs with certified $3:$1 nongrant matching funds, with DPI using up to $200,000 for Program administration, as specified, and reporting to the specified NCGA committee annually by February 15; $40,000,000 to be held in reserve to be allocated to public school units to support in-person instruction programs to address learning loss and provide enrichment activities in the summer, prioritized based on need; $26,046,144 to be held in reserve to be allocated to public school units to support COVID-19 related needs, prioritizing based on need; up to $8,012,955 to be used for DPI's administrative costs; $1 million to contract with a third-party entity to conduct a statewide assessment of the cybersecurity capabilities of public schools and threats posed to public schools, with DPI reporting to specified NCGA committee chairs by June 30, 2021; and $9 million to contract with a third-party entity to implement a statewide cybersecurity program in public school infrastructure, as specified. Except for funds allocated for the Extended Learning and Integrated Student Supports Competitive Grant Program, DPI administrative costs, and the third-party contract for the statewide assessment of the cybersecurity capabilities of public schools under subdivision 16 and 17, requires any remaining ESSER II funds on August 15, 2022 to be reallocated to the reserve to be used for expenditure on or after that date to meet additional emergency needs of the elementary and secondary schools of the State, as determined by the State Board.

Section 1.4

Further amends Section 5 of SL 2021-1, adjusting the estimate set out in the schedule for the State's allocation from the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, for Emergency Rental Assistance, to be administered by the Office of Recovery and Resiliency and the Office of State Budget and Management, from $546,597,070 to $546,596,104. Makes conforming changes. 

Enacts new subsection (e) to Section 5 of SL 2020-1, directing the Office of Recovery and Resiliency (ORR) to administer federal funds received for the Emergency Rental Assistance program (program) to local governments that received direct allocations from the federal program in their maximum allotment amount, as specified for each county, with ORR managing the funds in accordance with local priorities and federal requirements, subject to first exhausting their respective direct allocations from the federal program before expending any State allotment. Allows reallotment following specified reporting. Further directs ORR to administer federal funds received for the program to local governments that did not receive direct allocations from the federal program in their maximum aggregate amount allocation specified, to be provided to recipients renting housing in the respective county, with ORR reserving the maximum amount to the respective county minus pro-rata adjustments. Requires ORR to provide awards based on actual monthly rent owed by the tenant or the actual amount of utility costs owed. Requires ORR to continue to provide awards to each county that did not receive direct allocations from the federal program until maximum allotment amounts specified have been exhausted. Requires ORR to establish a hotline to provide eligible households with case management and other related pandemic services, with ORR authorized to use up to 10% for the hotline, housing sustainability services, and administrative costs, and up to 3% for administrative costs, deducted pro-rata from the maximum county allotments. Requires ORR to report to the specified NCGA committee chairs and division by May 15, 2021, as specified. Provides for proportional distribution of actual federal funds received from the program.

Section 1.5

Appropriates from federal Child Care and Development Block Grant funds received for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Child Development and Early Education (Division) $335,912,393 for cleaning and sanitation and copayment assistance for families receiving subsidized childcare, with legislative encouragement to use the some of the funds to address early childhood education learning loss, with authorization to use funds remaining upon maximizing the use for previously specified initiatives, for operational grants to childcare providers, as specified. Bars using the funds for staff bonuses.

Appropriates from the federal Community Mental Health Grant funds received for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, to DHHS, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services $47,465,800 for mental health services in response to COVID-19. Requires $2.1 million of the funds to be allocated to the NC Statewide Telepsychiatry Program (NC-STeP).

Appropriates from the federal Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block grants received for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2021, pursuant to the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, to DHHS, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services $11,249,046 to provide services across the State to those in need due to the pandemic.

Section 1.6

Allocates funds received pursuant to Division M, Title III of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, appropriated under Section 1.1 of this act as Enhancing Detection Through Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Funds, to DHHS, Division of Public Health in the amount received in the notification award for use in accordance with specified federal guidance, with $84 million to be allocated to local health departments and $15 million to be allocated to the NC Policy Collaboratory at UNC-Chapel Hill to meet specified requirements of the Emerging and Infection Disease Program Enhancing Detection Expansion cooperative agreement, and developing and managing a plan for an initiative to implement alternative COVID-19 surveillance methods throughout the State using UNC and other partnership resources, as specified. Details plan requirements, requiring CDC approval prior to fund allocation to the Collaboratory. Bars CDC-disapproved plan components and allows the Division of Public Health to use unexpended funds from disapproved plan components for any other CDC-approved activity allowed under the cooperative agreement grant. 

Section 1.6A

Directs DHHS to allocate up to $3 million to the Department of Information Technology, Government Data Analytics Center (GDAC) from the COVID-19 Vaccine Preparedness grant funds (described in Section 5(b) of SL 2020-1) or from FEMA funds, to the extent allowed under applicable federal law and guidance and not exceeding actual costs of authorized projects. Restricts use of funds to: (1) integration of the NC COVID Vaccine Management System (CVMS) with the statewide health information exchange network (NC HealthConnex); and (2) added functionality to both CVMS and NC HealthConnex to support existing efforts to improve the State's public health response to COVID-19. Provides for alternatively allocating up to $3 million of the funds of the ELC Enhancing Detection through Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental funds described in Section 1.1 of this act to GDAC to cover the costs of the authorized projects in the event the federal government disapproved DHHS allocating the Section 5(b) of SL 2020-1 or FEMA funds to GDAC for these purposes.

Section 1.7

Appropriates $1,085,486 of federal funds received pursuant to the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 (CRRSAA) for Grants-In-Aid for Airports to the Department of Transportation (DOT) in amounts specified in the FAA guidance to be used and allocated by DOT as specified. 

Appropriates federal funds received pursuant to the CRRSAA for Highway Infrastructure Programs to DOT in amounts specified in federal guidance to be used and allocated by DOT with $3o million to DOT for maintenance activities within the Roadside Environmental Unit for litter removal and other programmed activities, $199,282,615 to the Highway Trust Fund to advance the State Transportation Improvement Program delayed projects and delayed bridge replacement and interstate maintenance, and $29,454,289 to be suballocated to urbanized areas with a population of over 200,000 as set forth in federal guidance. 

Appropriates $781,861 of federal funds received pursuant to the CRRSAA for the Enhanced Mobility of Seniors and People with Disabilities Program to DOT in the amounts specified in federal guidance to be used and allocated by DOT in accordance with federal and Department guidance.

Prohibits using appropriated CRRSAA funds for employee salary or benefits.

Requires allocating $30 million of the funds appropriated from the Highway Fund to DOT for 2020-21 to the Roadside Environmental Fund for litter removal and other programmed activities within the Unit, in addition to the $90 million authorized in the Spend Plan, as specified. 

Requires DOT to quarterly report to the specified NCGA committee on the use of appropriated CRRSAA funds. 

Section 1.8

Requires federal grant funds received under Part I of the act to be quarterly reported on as specified, including quarterly reporting by public school units and DPI, and State agencies and Departments.

Specifies that the appropriations of Part I do not obligate or create ongoing obligations of the State for future appropriations for programs or other purposes for which the funds must be used.

Part II

Section 2.1

Amends Section 4.6 of SL 2020-4, which directs the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to increase the fee-for-service Medicaid rates paid directly by the Division of Heath Benefits by 5%, effective March 1, 2020, to extend the provision's expiration to the earlier of (1) the date the declared nationwide public health emergency as a result of the 2019 novel cornavirus expires, (2) the date Executive Order No. 116 expires or is rescinded, or (3) June 30, 2021 (was, March 31, 2021).

Section 2.2

Amends Section 3.3 of SL 2020-4 (2020 COVID-19 Recovery Act), as amended, subdivision (8) concerning the allocation of $21 million to DPI for the provision of community and home mobile internet access points for students. Regarding the prohibition against using the funds for subscription services, specifies that subscription services excludes internet service provided as part of the purchase price of a device or internet service purchased for a device without an ongoing monthly subscription. 

Section 2.3

Amends Section 2.28 of SL 2020-3 (COVID-19 Recovery Act) to now prohibit UNC constituent institutions from accruing or charging any interest to a past-due account receival held by a student between March 13, 2020, and December 31, 2021 (was, September 15, 2020).

Section 2.4

Authorizes UNC employees subject to the NC Human Resources Act to use accrues sick, vacation, and bonus leave for any COVID-19 related absences. Excludes leave options related to terminal leave payouts for transfers, separations, or reductions in force, terminal use of leave prior to retirement, or unpaid time due to placement on a temporary emergency furlough. Expires December 31, 2021. 

Section 2.5

Amends Section 3.2 of SL 2020-97 (Coronavirus Relief Act 3.0) to allow the two virtual charter schools to increase enrollment for the 2021-22 school year as authorized for the 2020-21 school year. Adds a March 15, 2022 and a November 15, 2022 reporting deadline. Makes conforming changes.

Section 2.6

Amends Section 4.2 of SL 2019-245, extending the period for which civil actions for sexual child abuse otherwise time-barred under GS 1-52 as it existed immediately before the enactment of SL 2019-245, to January 1, 2020, until December 31, 2022 (was, December 31, 2021).

Section 2.7

Requires local governments to issue a temporary certificate of compliance and temporary certificate of occupancy to a health service facility allowing for the full operation use of the facility in three circumstances, as described, including that the facility is currently under construction and the scheduled completion date will occur before rescission of the COVID-19 emergency declaration. Defines local government, health care facility, and COVID-19 emergency declaration. Expires upon the later of the recession of the COVID-19 emergency declaration or upon completion of the roadway improvements agreed to by the facility.

Section 2.8

Amends Section 3D.3 of SL 2020-3, regarding the authorization process for immunizing pharmacists to administer COVID-19 vaccines. Enacts a new subdivision to require the State Health Director to amend, reissue, or replace existing statewide standing order issued under Section 3D.3 to ensure that the statewide standing order is consistent with federal law and guidance pertaining to qualified individuals who can administer COVID-19 vaccines, as specified. Makes conforming changes to the civil and criminal immunity provisions. 

Section 2.9

Amends GS 90-85.15B to authorize an immunizing pharmacist to administer a long-acting injectable medication to persons 18 or older pursuant to a specific prescription order by a prescriber, so long as the immunizing pharmacist maintains specified records of administration in a patient profile or record, and notified the patient's primary care provider within 72 hours of administration. Makes conforming changes to GS 90-85.3. 

Authorizes the NC Board of Pharmacy to adopt temporary implementing rules.

Effective October 1, 2021.

Section 2.10

Amends GS 10B-25 and GS 10B-200 to extend the expiration of the temporary authorizations for emergency video notarization and emergency video witnessing from March 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021. Effective March 1, 2021.

Section 2.11

Authorizes the NC Appraisal Board to amend, extend, or adopt emergency rules to modify any educational requirements implemented by the Board in accordance with specified uncodified law, with adopted emergency rules expiring December 31, 2021.

Section 2.12

Amends the effective date of Section 3E.3 of SL 2020-3, which (1) suspended all annual and biennial inspections and regular monitoring requirements for specified licensed facilities except as necessary to avoid serious injury, harm, impairment, or death to employees, residents, or patients of these facilities or as directed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and (2) required training on infection control and the proper use of personal protective equipment for employees of facilities that were determined to be in violation, assessed penalties, or placed on probation within the six-month period preceding the beginning of the COVID-19 emergency, for noncompliance with rules, statutes, or guidelines on infection control or the proper use of personal protective equipment. Provides that this expires upon the earlier of 60 days after Executive Order No. 116 is rescinded or December 31, 2021 (was, or December 32, 2020).

Section 2.13

Amends Section 3D.7 of SL 2020-3, which enacted Article 1L, Emergency or Disaster Treatment Protection Act, by making the section applicable to acts or omissions occurring during the time of Executive Order No. 116  (previously, also included any subsequent time period during which a state of emergency is declared to be in effect during 2020 by the Governor). Applies retroactively to acts and omissions occurring on or after May 4, 2020.

Section 2.14

Amends GS 90-21.132 to also include in the definition of health care provider (as it applies to Article 1L, Emergency or Disaster Treatment Protection Act), an individual who volunteers to assist a State agency, department, or approved organization in the administration of COVID-19 vaccinations, including clinical, clinical support, and nonclinical support activities.

Section 2.15

Amends GS 131D-2.4, concerning the license of adult care homes, as follows. Adds definitions for the following terms as they are used in the statute: personowneraffiliate, and principal. Amends the conditions under which an applicant for licensure is the owner, principal, or affiliate of an adult care home and is responsible for the operation of the facility that had its license downgraded to provisional status or had its admissions suspended due to the specified types of violations, is prohibited from being issued a new license so that it is now until the date of (was, until six months from the date of) restoration from provisional to full licensure, termination of the provisional license, or lifting or termination of the suspension of admissions, as applicable. Adds that a provisional license or suspension of admissions for which an appeal is pending is exempt. Makes additional clarifying changes. Specifies that this supersedes any provision of the NC Administrative Code to the contrary. Requires the Medical Care Commission, as promptly as practicable, to amend and update the specified rule and any other impacted rule to reflect the changes made in this section. Specifies that this section applies to (1) applications for new licenses submitted to the Division of Health Service Regulation (DHSR) on or after the effective date of this section, (2) applications for the renewal of existing licenses submitted to the DHSR on or after the effective date of this section, and (3) licenses downgraded by DHSR within the six-month period preceding the effective date of this section.

Section 2.16

Repeals Section 2.6(b) of SL 2020-80, which, effective March 15, 2021, would have amended GS 116B-67 to allow a person claiming property paid or delivered to the Treasurer to file a claim on a form no matter the amount of the claim (current law limits it to when the amount claimed exceeds $250, with all other claims paid by the Unclaimed Property Division upon verification of ownership).

Section 2.17

Extends the expiration of Section 3D.5(e) of SL 2020-3 (which prohibited enforcing any provision of the quality improvement plan rules to the extent specified, prohibited enforcing any provision of the quality improvement plan rules or the application fee rules to the extent they require any individual to fill out an application or pay a fee for individuals providing volunteer health care services in response to the pandemic, and prohibited enforcing any provision of the annual review rules) from December 31, 2021, to December 31, 2022.

Section 2.18

Allows a pharmacist to dispense the following controlled substances to individuals who present a valid prescription (if one is required under current law), and an NC drivers license or identification card that expired while Executive Order No. 116 (2020) remains in effect: (1) paregoric, U.S.P.; (2) any Schedule II controlled substances; (3) any of the Schedule III controlled substances listed in subdivisions (1) through (8) of subsection (d) of GS 90-91 (materials, compounds, mixtures, or preparations containing limited quantities of any of the specified narcotic drugs); (4) any Schedule V controlled substances; and (5) pseudoephedrine products. Expires six months after the earlier of the date the Governor signs an executive order rescinding Executive Order No. 116 (2020), or December 31, 2021.

Section 2.19

Enacts Article 21 in GS Chapter 153A (applicable to counties) and Article 31 in GS Chapter 160A (applicable to cities), entitled “Tourism Development Authorities,” providing as follows. Allows a tourism development authority to enter into a PPP loan. Requires compliance with all the requirements and limitations of the PPP loan program and requires applying for forgiveness of the loan in a timely manner. Prohibits a tourism development authority from obligating the State or the county/city (as applicable) that established the authority to repay a PPP loan and has no power to pledge the credit of the State or the county/city that established the authority. Requires a tourism development authority to give written notice to the board of commissioners/city council (as applicable) within 30 days of its acceptance of a PPP loan; specifies items to be included in the notice. Requires a tourism development authority for which a PPP loan is not forgiven to repay the loan and interest from occupancy tax proceeds remitted to the authority on or after receipt of the PPP loan proceeds. Repeals both Articles January 1, 2028.

Section 2.20

Requires the Department of Health and Human Services, by July 1, 2021, to give each prepaid health plan (as defined by statute) access to client-specific immunization information contained within the North Carolina Immunization Registry.

Section 2.21

Amends Section 3.21 of SL 2020-97, which extended by 120 days the expiration of any development approval and associated vested rights of any development approval that was current and valid at any point during the period beginning September 2, 2020, and ending 30 days after Executive Order No. 116 is rescinded. Amends the extension to now automatically extend the approval for 150 days from the date the Executive Order is rescinded. Makes conforming changes. Applies retroactively to vested rights existing on and after September 4, 2020.

Section 2.22

Amends Section 4.2A of SL 2020-4, as amended, by expanding the entities eligible for meat processing grants, to include facilities producing further processed meat products for which the USDA contracts with DACS inspectors to conduct federal inspection activities authorized by the Talmadge-Aiken Act of 1962 at the plant, or which is a State-inspected facility, or which is a USDA inspected processor of shelf-stable meat or meat products. Makes conforming changes to the NCGA’s findings related to the grant program.

Part III.

Section 3.1

Amends Section 3.3 of SL 2020-4, as amended, by amending the amounts allocated by OSBM (from funds from the Coronavirus Relief Fund) as follows. Increases the allocation for Golden LEAF for small business loan assistance from $75 million to $83 million. Increases the amount allocated to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) to support meat processing facilities and seafood processing facilities from $20,250,000, to $26,250,000. Decreases the amount allocated to the Division of Emergency Management to be used as the State match for any FEMA public assistance funds provided in response to the pandemic from $120 million to $80 million. Removes the allocation meant for the PPE-NC Initiative that was to be allocated as a grant to Conover (see the replacement allocation described below); requires that the already specified allocation of $5.3 million be allocated to OSBM for a grant to Gaston County to construct an Incubator and Extrusion Center for Advanced Fibers, no longer allocating through the PPE-NC Initiative. Adds an allocation of $6 million to DACS to be distributed equally among the state’s food banks; encourages the food banks to use the funds to purchase food from NC-based farmers and vendors. Adds an allocation of $8 million to the Department of Administration for the ReTOOLNC grant program to provide additional funds to assist state-certified, minority-owned, and women-owned businesses in their recovery. Adds an allocation of $3 million to the Department of Commerce for a North Carolina nonprofit with which the Department contracts as a stimulus investment in Visit North Carolina’s marketing budget to be used to market the state as a business and tourism destination. Adds an allocation of $1 million to DACS to market the state’s agricultural products and state-owned attractions. Adds an allocation of $2 million to DACS for the Farm Worker Quarantine Program, to reimburse eligible expenses (as defined) for eligible farm workers (defined as a worker who is an alien under federal law who is performing agricultural labor or service on a farm in this state) required to quarantine apart from family or coworkers following a positive COVID-19 test.

Section 3.2

Appropriates $9 million for 2020-21 from the General Fund to OSBM to be allocated as a grant to Conover as follows: (1) $7.25 million for a facility to house testing labs, rapid prototyping, and a textile sourcing library; (2) $1.25 million for a clean room upfit for MSC facilities; and (3) $500,000 for equipment, materials, and logistics for a rapid prototyping pilot line to create products and train a workforce for US PPE manufactures (these are the same funds and purposes as previously allocated, and now deleted, to the PPE-NC Initiative). Specifies that these funds do not revert until June 30, 2022.

Section 3.3

Amends Section 4.1 of SL 2021-1, as follows. Increases the amount transferred from the General Fund to the State Capital and Infrastructure Fund from $39 million to $45 million for 2020-21. Make a corresponding increase in the amount appropriated from the State Capital and Infrastructure Fund to the Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology Fund; also increases by $6 million the amount of those funds that are to be distributed in the special supplementary grant process.

Section 3.4

Amends Section 8 of SL 2020-64, as amended, as follows. Increases the amount to be transferred from the Coronavirus Relief Reserve to the Fund, from $684.4 million to $699.4 million; makes a corresponding increase in the amount that is appropriated from the Fund to OSBM for 2020-21 to offset General Fund appropriations across State government for allowable expenditure of funds from the Fund. Increases the amount of the beginning negative appropriation balance in the Statewide Reserve for Appropriations from $684.4 million to $699.4 million.

Section 3.5

Amends Section 3.1 of SL 2020-4, as amended, to decrease the amount that the State Controller must transfer for 2019-20 from the Reserve to the Fund, from $2,324,390,646 to $2,309,390,646. Amends Section 3.2 of the act to decrease the amount appropriated from the Fund to OSBM in 2019-20 to be allocated and used as provided in Section 3.3 of the act from $2,624,390,646, to $2,609,390,646.

Intro. by B. Jackson, Harrington, Hise.APPROP, GS 10B, GS 90, GS 131D, GS 153A, GS 160A

The Daily Bulletin: 2021-03-01

LOCAL/HOUSE BILLS
H 190 (2021-2022) VACANCIES/ROWLAND & MAYOR'S TERM/RED SPRINGS. Filed Mar 1 2021, AN ACT TO REVISE THE METHOD BY WHICH VACANCIES ARE FILLED FOR ELECTIVE OFFICE IN THE TOWN OF ROWLAND AND TO EXTEND THE TERM OF MAYOR FROM TWO TO FOUR YEARS IN THE TOWN OF RED SPRINGS.

Identical to S 125, filed 2/23/21.

Amends the Roland Town Charter, found in SL 1998-105, as follows. Requires vacancies in any elective office of the Town to be filled by appointment of the Town Board as provided in GS 160A-63 (was, vacancies in the office of Mayor or Commission were filled by calling a special election). Makes conforming changes.

Amends the Red Springs Town Charter, SL 1949-1252, as amended, to require the Mayor to be elected to a four-year term (was, two-year term), beginning in 2021.

Intro. by B. Jones.UNCODIFIED, Hoke, Robeson

The Daily Bulletin: 2021-03-01

LOCAL/SENATE BILLS
S 169 (2021-2022) MODIFY KINSTON-LENOIR COUNTY TDA MEMBERSHIP. Filed Mar 1 2021, AN ACT TO MODIFY THE COMPOSITION OF THE KINSTON-LENOIR COUNTY TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY.

Amends Subsection 2(a) of SL 1987-561, as amended, to modify the membership of the Kinston-Lenoir County Tourism Development Authority (Authority) so that one of the members who is required to be involved in the tourist business, demonstrated an interest in tourist development, and not own or operate hotels, motels, or other taxable tourist accommodations be appointed by the Authority instead of by the Lenoir County Chamber of Commerce.

Intro. by Perry.UNCODIFIED, Lenoir
S 170 (2021-2022) NO ETJ IN HAYWOOD CTY/MAGGIE VALLEY DEV. AUTH. (NEW) Filed Mar 1 2021, AN ACT TO ELIMINATE THE EXTRATERRITORIAL JURISDICTION AUTHORITY OF MUNICIPALITIES IN HAYWOOD COUNTY, TO PROHIBIT THE TOWN OF MAGGIE VALLEY FROM ADOPTING OR ENFORCING ANY MORATORIA ON ANY DEVELOPMENT APPROVAL, AND TO EXPAND THE PROHIBITIONS ON DOWN-ZONING PROPERTY IN MAGGIE VALLEY.

Includes whereas clauses. Limits the scope of the act to Alexander, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, and Swain counties.  Authorizes all public and nonpublic high schools to limit the number of spectators at outdoor sporting events for the remainder of the scheduled 2020-21 school year, as follows. Defines spectator to exclude athletes, school employees, entertainers, and event support staff. Caps spectators at 50% capacity of an outdoor facility's approved occupancy capacity under the building code, or no more than seven persons for every 1,000 feet for those without an approved occupancy capacity. Specifies that for outdoor facilities allowing spectators to bring their own seats, individuals sitting in their own seats do not count toward the limit if the individuals maintain at least 6 feet of distance between themselves and anyone outside of their family unit. Requires high schools to comply with the requirements of the StrongSchoolsNC Public Health Toolkit as it existed on February 2, 2021, and the Interim Guidance for Administrators and Participants of Youth and Amateur Sports Programs as it existed on January 28, 2021, in allowing access to outdoor sporting facilities so long as the requirements are consistent with the act's provisions. Does not prohibit a school's implementation of stricter access to outdoor sporting events at that school. 

Intro. by Corbin, Alexander, Proctor.UNCODIFIED, Alexander, Catawba, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Swain
S 171 (2021-2022) BELVILLE/WINGATE SAT. ANNEX./OTHER DEANNEX. (NEW) Filed Mar 1 2021, AN ACT REMOVING THE CAP ON SATELLITE ANNEXATIONS FOR THE TOWNS OF BELVILLE AND WINGATE, REMOVING CERTAIN DESCRIBED PROPERTY FROM THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE TOWN OF SURF CITY, AND REMOVING CERTAIN DESCRIBED PROPERTY FROM THE CORPORATE LIMITS OF THE CITY OF ASHEBORO.

Amends GS 160A-58.1 as title indicates. 

Intro. by Johnson.Union, GS 160A
ACTIONS ON BILLS

Actions on Bills: 2021-03-01

PUBLIC BILLS

H 159: EDUCATION LAW CHANGES. (NEW)

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Education - K-12, if favorable, Appropriations, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Education - K-12, if favorable, Appropriations, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 160: RETIREMENT SERVICE PURCHASE REWRITE PART II.-AB

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on State Government, if favorable, State Personnel, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 161: ADDRESS ABANDONED AND DERELICT VESSELS.-AB

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Marine Resources and Aqua Culture, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 163: TREASURY ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES.-AB

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Pensions and Retirement, if favorable, Local Government, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 165: DOT LEGISLATIVE CHANGES.-AB

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Transportation, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 167: U.S. ARMY SPECIAL FORCES REG. PLATE.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Finance, if favorable, Transportation, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 168: RETIREMENT ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES ACT OF 2021.-AB

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on State Personnel, if favorable, Pensions and Retirement, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 169: STATE HEALTH PLAN DATA TRANSPARENCY.-AB

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on State Government, if favorable, Pensions and Retirement, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 170: NORTH CAROLINA CROWN ACT.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Judiciary 2, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 171: BURDEN OF PROOF-CHALLENGE TO CANDIDACY.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Election Law and Campaign Finance Reform, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 172: TERM LIMITS FOR CONGRESS.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Judiciary 1, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 173: SEPARATE DIVS-JUV JUSTICE AND ADULT CORR.-AB

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on State Government, if favorable, Appropriations, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 174: FUNDS TO HELP THOSE STRUGGLING WITH ADDICTION.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Appropriations, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 175: RET. & TREASURY TECH. CORRECTIONS ACT OF 2021.-AB

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on State Government, if favorable, Pensions and Retirement, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 176: ENHANCE SHP DEBT COLLECTION ABILITIES.-AB

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on State Personnel, if favorable, Pensions and Retirement, if favorable, Finance, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 177: EXTEND SPIKING MORATORIUM/LGERS SURETY. (NEW)

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on State Personnel, if favorable, Health, if favorable, Insurance, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on State Personnel, if favorable, Health, if favorable, Insurance, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 178: ACCESS TO PRESCRIPTION DRUG COST INFORMATION.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Health, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 179: AMEND HIE PARTICIPATION ENFORCEMENT MECHANISM.-AB

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Health, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 180: DESIGNATE OVERDOSE AWARENESS DAY.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Health, if favorable, State Government, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 181: WILDLIFE RESOURCES COMM'N. AMENDMENTS.-AB

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Wildlife Resources, if favorable, Marine Resources and Aqua Culture, if favorable, Finance, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 182: INCREASING MEAT PRODUCTION AND CAPACITY.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Agriculture, if favorable, Marine Resources and Aqua Culture, if favorable, Appropriations, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 183: JUV. COURT COUNSELORS/SENSITIVITY TRAINING.-AB

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Judiciary 2, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 186: PRESUMED SHARED PARENTING/CHILD CUSTODY.

    House: Filed

H 187: FUNDS/WAGRAM RECREATION CENTER.

    House: Filed

H 188: REMOVE BARRIERS/GAIN ACCESS TO ABORTION ACT.

    House: Filed

H 189: SECOND AMENDMENT PRESERVATION ACT.

    House: Filed

H 191: UNC PEMBROKE/HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER FUNDS.

    House: Filed

H 192: COVID RESPONSE/SUPPLEMENTAL SPENDING 2020-21.

    House: Filed

H 193: EXEMPT PROPERTY FROM BOONE UDO. (NEW)

    House: Filed
    House: Filed

H 194: FEDERAL COURT OFFICIAL/CONCEALED CARRY.

    House: Filed

H 195: CRIMINAL FALSIFICATION OF MEDICAL RECORDS.

    House: Filed

H 196: 2021 COVID-19 RESPONSE & RELIEF.

    House: Filed

H 197: NC CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY ACT.

    House: Filed

S 37: IN-PERSON LEARNING CHOICE FOR FAMILIES.

    Senate: Placed on Today's Calendar
    Senate: Failed To Override Veto

S 43: PROTECT RELIGIOUS MEETING PLACES.

    Senate: Passed 2nd Reading
    Senate: Passed 3rd Reading

S 50: ESTATE PLANNING LAW CHANGES.

    Senate: Passed 2nd Reading
    Senate: Passed 3rd Reading

S 52: SEX OFFENDER RESIDENCE RESTRICTION/CLARIFY.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

S 87: MEDICAID REIMBURSEMENT/CHARTER SCHOOLS.

    Senate: Passed 2nd Reading
    Senate: Passed 3rd Reading

S 116: PUTTING NORTH CAROLINA BACK TO WORK ACT. (NEW)

    Senate: Passed 2nd Reading
    Senate: Passed 3rd Reading
    Senate: Passed 2nd Reading
    Senate: Passed 3rd Reading

S 159: STATE HEALTH PLAN ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES.-AB

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 160: ENHANCE SHP DEBT COLLECTION ABILITIES.-AB

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 161: NC STATEWIDE TELEPSYCHIATRY PROGRAM/FUNDS.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 165: NORTH CAROLINA CROWN ACT.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 167: REMOVE BARRIERS/GAIN ACCESS TO ABORTION ACT.

    Senate: Filed

S 168: HISTORIC SCHOOL PRESERVATION GRANT FUNDS.

    Senate: Filed

S 172: ADDITIONAL COVID-19 RESPONSE & RELIEF. (NEW)

    Senate: Filed
    Senate: Filed

Actions on Bills: 2021-03-01

LOCAL BILLS

H 162: CITY OF MORGANTON/CHARTER AMENDMENTS.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Local Government, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 164: GREENSBORO/DEANNEXATION.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Local Government, if favorable, Finance, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Local Government, if favorable, Finance, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 166: EMER. MGT./POWERS/RUTHERFORD/POLK COUNTY.

    House: Passed 1st Reading
    House: Ref to the Com on Judiciary 1, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

H 190: VACANCIES/ROWLAND & MAYOR'S TERM/RED SPRINGS.

    House: Filed

S 115: KICKOFF COLLEGE SPORTS ACT. (NEW)

    Senate: Passed 2nd Reading
    Senate: Passed 3rd Reading
    Senate: Passed 2nd Reading
    Senate: Passed 3rd Reading

S 158: 31ST SENATORIAL DISTRICT LOCAL ACT-1.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 162: SCHOOL CALENDAR FLEXIBILITY/CERTAIN SYSTEMS.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 163: SCHOOL CALENDAR FLEXIBILITY/CERTAIN SYSTEMS.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 164: SCHOOL CALENDAR FLEXIBILITY/CHATHAM COUNTY.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 166: SCHOOL CALENDAR FLEX/CERTAIN SCHOOL SYSTEMS.

    Senate: Passed 1st Reading
    Senate: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

S 169: MODIFY KINSTON-LENOIR COUNTY TDA MEMBERSHIP.

    Senate: Filed

S 170: NO ETJ IN HAYWOOD CTY/MAGGIE VALLEY DEV. AUTH. (NEW)

    Senate: Filed
    Senate: Filed

S 171: BELVILLE/WINGATE SAT. ANNEX./OTHER DEANNEX. (NEW)

    Senate: Filed
    Senate: Filed
    Senate: Filed

© 2024 School of Government The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

This work is copyrighted and subject to "fair use" as permitted by federal copyright law. No portion of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the express written permission of the publisher. Distribution by third parties is prohibited. Prohibited distribution includes, but is not limited to, posting, e-mailing, faxing, archiving in a public database, installing on intranets or servers, and redistributing via a computer network or in printed form. Unauthorized use or reproduction may result in legal action against the unauthorized user.