Senate amendment to the 2nd edition makes the following changes. 

Amends proposed GS 115C-390.2(h1) to no longer limit the eye-witness account to those provided by school personnel or the student subject to discipline. Allows the witness account to be written or oral, but requires the principal or their designee to reduce an oral account to writing. Requires the account to be provided by the end of the school day following the day the principal or their designee is given notice of the incident (was, within 24 hours of the incident) and specifies that nothing prohibits the principal or designee from accepting any detailed eyewitness account after that date. 

House amendments make the following changes to the 2nd edition.

Part IV. Other Availability and Appropriations

Section 4.10 ARPA Temporary Savings Fund Grant Correction

Amendment #21 reduces the $70 million in nonrecurring funds for FY 2024-2025 appropriated from the ARPA Temporary Savings Fund (Fund) for Justice Involved Populations by $3 million. Appropriates $3 million from the Fund in nonrecurring funds for FY 2024-2025 to OSMB to provide a directed grant to the Boys Club of Wake County, Inc. to provide funds to boys and girls clubs across the State to implement programs that improve the motivation, performance, and self-esteem of youth and other initiatives that would be expected to reduce gang participation, school dropout, and teen pregnancy rates.

Part VIII. The UNC System

Part 8.13 Tuition Waiver for Survivors of Fallen Probation Officers

Amendment #25 expands the tuition waiver for UNC constituent institutions under GS 115B-2 to include survivors of fallen probation officers and spouses and certain children of permanently disabled probation officers as a direct result of a traumatic injury sustained in the line of duty. Makes conforming changes to GS 115B-5 (proof of eligibility) and GS 115B-1 (definitions). Applies beginning with the 2024-2025 academic year. 

Part XI-B. Central Management and Support

Section 9B.2 Advisory Council on Rare Diseases

Amendment #24 makes the following changes to Taylor’s Law Establishing the Advisory Council on Rare Diseases (Part 6 of Article 1B of GS Chapter 130A). Amends GS 130A-33.65 by changing the location of the Advisory Council from within the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Changes the number of the Advisory Council to 19 members and removes the appointing authority of the Dean of the School of Medicine at UNC-Chapel Hill. Instead, allows the DHHS Secretary to appoint 15 members in line with the qualifications listed in the statute.

Amends the appointed membership as follows:

• increases number of physicians from one to two;
• removes rare disease survivor, rare disease foundation, parent of childhood rare disease survivor, and medical researcher appointees;
• removes appointees who are chairs of the NCGA Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services, or their designees;
• decreases the number of researchers from State academic research institutions to one receiving any grant funding for rare disease research (currently one representative per State institution receiving any such grant funding);
• adds the following appointees:
• one hospital administrator, or the hospital administrator's designee, representing a hospital in the State that provides care to persons diagnosed with a rare disease;
• two persons age 18 or older who have been diagnosed with a rare disease; two persons age 18 or older who are, or were previously, caregivers to a person diagnosed with a rare disease;  
• one representative of a rare disease patient organization that operates in the State;
• one pharmacist licensed and practicing in this State with knowledge and experience regarding drugs used to treat rare diseases;
• one representative of the life sciences, biotechnology, or biopharmaceutical industry that either focuses on research efforts related to the development of therapeutic products for persons diagnosed with a rare disease or has demonstrable understanding of the path to commercialization of such products;
• two representatives of a health benefit plan or health insurer, at least one of whom is a representative of a North Carolina Medicaid Managed Care health plan;
• one genetic counselor with experience providing services to persons diagnosed with a rare disease or caregivers of persons diagnosed with a rare disease;
• one member appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate;
• one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and
• one member appointed by the Governor. 

Provides for terms for each of the initial appointed representatives and term limits of three consecutive terms, except that the initial physician members and initial member representing a rare disease patient organization can serve up to four terms. Thereafter, directs that members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Governor will serve for a term of two years and members appointed by the Secretary will serve for a term of two, three, or four years as determined by the chair of the advisory council. Provides for filling vacancies, member removal, and selection of a chair by a majority vote. Requires that the Advisory Council meet at least quarterly (currently, just need to meet). Makes technical and conforming changes.

Amends GS 130A-33.66, pertaining to the Advisory Council’s powers and duties as follows. Specifies that the Advisory Council should advise the Governor, the DHHS Secretary, and General Assembly on all of the following, in addition to powers already listed in the statute: coordination of statewide efforts to increase public awareness and understanding of rare diseases, identification of policy issues related to rare diseases and the advancement of policy initiatives related to rare diseases at the State and federal levels, and the appropriation of State funds to facilitate increased public awareness of and improved treatment for rare diseases. Requires the Advisory Council to, in consultation with certain medical schools, other educational institutions with specified programs, and hospitals in the State that provide services to persons with rare diseases, develop resources or recommendations regarding quality of and access to treatment and services available within North Carolina for persons diagnosed with a rare disease. Now requires the Advisory Council to advise and consult with DHHS and other specified boards and panels in developing recommendations, resources, and programs relating to the diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases. Now requires the Advisory Council to identify additional relevant areas for the advisory council to study and evaluate. Makes technical changes.  

Requires DHHS to use funds available to it to cover the administrative costs of the Advisory Council.

Part XII. Environmental Quality

Section 12.10 PFAS Remediation and Prevention Funding

Amendment #21 amends Amendment #6 by deleting the phrase “Used by the Department of Commerce” in reference to equipment and lab services and replacing it with the phrase “transferred to the Department of Environmental Quality to be used.”

Part XXXIII. Military and Veterans Affairs

Section 33.3 Renovate Fayetteville State Veterans Home

Amendment #21 appropriates from the cash balance of the North Carolina Veterans Home Trust Fund, Budget Code 63050, to the Department  of Military and Veterans Affairs $34.8 million in nonrecurring funds to begin making necessary renovations to the Fayetteville State Veterans Home with the goal of reopening the Home not later than June 30, 2026.

Senate committee substitute to the 6th edition adds the following content and makes conforming changes to the act's titles.

Part IX

Enacts new Article 5H to GS Chapter 90, to be cited as the "NC Compassionate Care Act," requiring the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to issue "registry identification cards" to persons who qualify as qualified patients or designated caregivers under the Article’s provisions. Sets forth legislative findings, the purpose of the Act, and defined terms for the Article.  

Establishes an 11-member Compassionate Use Advisory Board (Advisory Board), consisting of seven gubernatorially appointed members and four legislatively appointed members, appointed for up to two four-year terms. States member qualifications. Provides for meetings, vacancies, and member expenses. Grants the Advisory Board authority to approve adding a debilitating medical condition to those defined by the Article by majority vote of members present and voting, and requires the Advisory Board to meet at least twice per year to review petitions and add debilitating conditions. Requires initial appointments to be made within 45 days of the date the act becomes law and staggers initial terms. 

Sets standards for physicians issuing written certification of debilitating medical conditions under the Article. Requires physicians to complete a ten-hour continuing medical education course on prescribing cannabis and an annual three-hour supplemental medical education course thereafter. Requires maintaining records of compliance for six consecutive years with permitted inspection by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) or the NC Medical Board or its agents. Establishes a requirement for physicians to register written certifications in the medical cannabis registry database electronically, and limits issuance to patients with whom the physician has a bona fide physician-patient relationship. Includes patient screening and patient education requirements. Requires physicians to have a physical office in the state to conduct in-person exams. Requires physicians to reevaluate patients as needed to determine the efficacy of the use of cannabis as a treatment for the patient's medical condition, at least quarterly in the first year and annually thereafter, with the Medical Cannabis Production Commission (Commission, as established below) authorized to set shorter reevaluation intervals or in-person exam requirements. Sets requirements for checking patients' prescription history. Requires physicians to update the medical cannabis registry database within 48 hours after any change is made to the original written certification. Charges DHHS with monitoring written certifications and referring cases to the NC Medical Board or SBI as appropriate. Requires DHHS, upon request, to provide information in the medical cannabis registry database to the North Carolina Medical Board (Medical Board). Prohibits physicians from evaluating patients on the site of a medical cannabis center and from advertising their ability to issue written certifications. Prohibits physicians who provide written certifications from being employed by or have any direct or indirect economic interest in a supplier or independent testing laboratory, or profiting from a patient obtaining a written certification, aside from visit fees. Authorizes the Commission to adopt rules regarding physicians and the issuance of written certifications. 

Specifies criteria and procedures for DHHS’s issuance or renewal of registry identification cards. Provides for limited issuance of registry identification cards to minors. Details required card information; notice requirements for information changes; and DHHS’s authority to deny, suspend or revoke cards. Directs DHHS to adopt implementing rules and to establish requirements for card issuance that include six specified components, which must include setting a limit on the number of written certifications a physician may issue; requires adoption within 270 days of the date the act becomes law. Requires registry identification cardholders or supplier registry identification cardholders to carry the card(s) and valid identification whenever the cardholder is carrying cannabis or cannabis-infused products. Also requires a cardholder approached or addressed by an officer to display both the registry identification card/supplier registry identification card and valid identification.  

Requires DHHS to create a secure, confidential, electronic medical cannabis registry database of all qualified patients and designated caregivers to whom DHHS has issued cards, consisting of the name, address, and photo of the cardholder; the name, address, and hospital affiliation of the physician that issued the respective written certification; a photo of the cardholder; the adequate supply of cannabis or cannabis-infused product prescribed to the cardholder; and the prescribed delivery method for the cannabis or cannabis-infused product for the cardholder. Allows law enforcement to contact DHHS to confirm a cardholder's identity if the law enforcement agency is unable to verify the registry identification cardholder by using the medical cannabis verification system. Deems card applicants’ information confidential and not public record, with limited exceptions for authorized DHHS employees and law enforcement. Makes it a Class 2 misdemeanor for any person (including a State or local employee) to breach confidentiality of such protected information, punishable by a civil penalty of up to $1,000. Specifies that the provisions do not prevent DHHS from notifying law enforcement of falsified or fraudulent information submitted with a card application.  

Establishes the 11-member Medical Cannabis Production Commission (Commission) with oversight of medical cannabis supplier licensing and licensee discipline. Requires approval of licensee applications upon recommendation by DHHS, as described, by majority vote of members present and voting. Details Commission membership with some members appointed by the Governor and legislature, terms, leadership, vacancies, removal, quorum, and member expenses. Details disciplinary authority. Gives the Commission the power to approve applications for medical cannabis supplier licenses upon recommendation of DHHS by a majority vote of those present and voting. Details DHHS’s process for evaluation of applications and referral to the Commission. Limits number of licenses that can be approved by the Commission to ten.  Limits the amount of medical cannabis centers owned by each supplier to not more than eight. Suppliers must also operate at least one medical cannabis center in a Tier 1 county (i.e., the 2024 County Tier Designations published by the Department of Commerce according to the specified statute). Requires that the Commission must also consider the following criteria in awarding licenses: (1) requires giving priority to any supplier who commits to establishing a medical cannabis center in more than one Tier 1 county and (2) requires giving priority to a supplier who commits to establishing the eight allowed medical cannabis centers in a way that demonstrates a commitment to ensuring the equitable distribution of medical cannabis centers throughout the State in order for registry ID card holders to access an adequate supply of cannabis and cannabis-infused products, while preventing an overconcentration of medical cannabis centers in any one area (allows considering county population in making this determination).

Gives the Commission, in consultation with the NC Medical Care Commission, the authority to adopt implementing rules to establish qualifications and requirements of licensure, for production by a supplier, and for proper regulation of medical cannabis centers and cannabis product facilities operated by suppliers; ensure equitable distribution of medical cannabis centers across the State; and establish civil penalties for minor violations. Includes member disqualifications concerning conflicts of interest as an owner or employee of a licensed medical cannabis supplier or testing lab, or as a qualified patient, a designated caregiver, or physician issuing written certifications. Adds that the rules become effective when adopted and pursuant to the provisions of GS Chapter 90. Requires initial appointments to be made within 45 days of the date the act becomes law and staggers initial terms.  

Directs the Commission to establish a medical cannabis supply system to provide a safe, regulated supply of cannabis appropriate for medical use by qualified patients that are valid cardholders; ensure statewide access to safe and affordable cannabis to cardholders; establish a system that is well-regulated and financially viable; and to generate revenue sufficient for the Commission to verse and DHHS to maintain and operate the system. Directs the Commission to adopt regulatory rules that consist of at least 14 specified components, such as security, sanitation, storage and transportation requirements. Directs the Commission to establish, maintain, and control a computer software tracking system that traces cannabis from seed to sale and allows real time, 24-hour access by DHHS, the Commission, and any State or local enforcement agency to data from all production facilities, medical cannabis centers, and testing labs. Details further requirements of the tracking system. Explicitly requires medical cannabis suppliers to use the tracking system or integrate its own system with the system established by the Commission. Authorizes the Commission to contract to establish the tracking system, so long as the vendor does not have a direct or indirect financial interest in a medical cannabis supplier or testing lab. Allows for legislative appropriations to establish the system, but states the NCGA's intent that the operation be funded by authorized fees.  

Establishes criteria for licensing medical cannabis suppliers to (1) grow, cultivate, produce, or sell cannabis or cannabis-infused products; (2) operate a business to produce cannabis or cannabis-infused products; or (3) establish or operate a medical cannabis center for the sale of cannabis, cannabis-infused products, and paraphernalia relating to the administration of cannabis to qualified patients and designated caregivers who hold valid registry identification cards. Requires suppliers to begin cultivation within 120 days of receiving a license and begin selling cannabis or cannabis-infused products in medical cannabis centers within 270 days of initiating cultivation. Includes criminal history check requirements. Specifies licensure disqualifications, including being less than 21, or having served a sentence of any of the listed felonies within the previous five years. States sales and supply restrictions of licensees. Establishes monthly fees and reporting requirements for licensees. Authorizers DHHS to impose fines of up to $10,000 on suppliers for certain enumerated violations, including improperly disclosing confidential patient information or failing to maintain required records. Authorizes the Commission to require financial audits at cost to the supplier. Provides for criminal immunity for licensed medical cannabis suppliers and their employees, agents, or principal, as specified, excluding conduct described in four instances, such as delivering cannabis to and individual that the person knows is not a qualified patient or designated caregiver or a licensed provider.  

Provides civil and criminal immunity for a registry identification cardholder for purchasing or possessing cannabis for medical use if the quantity does not exceed an "adequate supply" for the patient as determined by their physician and the cannabis or cannabis-infused product is contained in packaging bearing the label required by GS 90-113.132. Adequate supply is defined by the act as an amount, as determined by the qualified patient's physician, of usable cannabis derived solely from an intrastate source that is possessed by a qualified patient, or collectively possessed by a qualified  patient and the qualified patient's designated caregiver, in an amount that does  not exceed what is reasonably necessary to assure the uninterrupted availability of cannabis for a period of 30 days, in any form recommended by the qualified patient's physician for the purpose of alleviating the symptoms or effects of the qualified patient's debilitating medical condition. Provides for exclusion of the weight of other ingredients infused or added to cannabis for consumption or use by a qualified patient in determining whether the patient is in possession of an amount that exceeds the patient's adequate supply. Prohibits law enforcement from considering a qualified patient or designated caregiver’s possession or use differently than any other lawful possession or use of a controlled substance so long as the possession or use complies with the Article.  

Specifies that the new Article does not authorize a registry identification cardholder to engage in the smoking of cannabis or the vaping of cannabis for medical use in seven places identified by the act, including (1) in a public place or a place open to the public, (2) in any place of employment, (3) in a vehicle, or (4) in or within 1,000 feet of the property line of a church, child care facility, public school or nonpublic school, community college or UNC facility or grounds. Provides further specifications relating to smoking or vaping near a child care facility or community college or UNC facility or grounds. Makes smoking or vaping cannabis in violation of these prohibitions an infraction punishable by a fine of up to $25. 

Makes it a Class G felony to manufacture, sell, deliver, or possess with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver cannabis in violation of this Article at a medical cannabis center or production facility. Makes it a Class H felony to create, sell, deliver, or possess with intent to sell or deliver counterfeit cannabis in violation of this Article at a medical cannabis center or production facility. Makes it a Class A1 misdemeanor to possess an amount of cannabis up to 1 1/2 ounces in violation of this Article, at a medical cannabis center or production facility. Makes it a Class H felony to possess an amount of cannabis that exceeds 1 1/2 ounces in violation of this Article, at a medical cannabis center or production facility. Makes it a Class 1 misdemeanor to provide DHHS with false or misleading information in relation to a registry identification card or license. Makes it a Class I felony for any person who has been issued a valid registry identification card who is found to be in possession of cannabis in violation of this Article. Adds that if a person is convicted of a violation of GS 90-95(h)(1) (trafficking in marijuana), and it is found that the offense was committed at a medical cannabis center or production facility or with cannabis from a medical cannabis center or production facility, then the person must be sentenced at a felony class level one class higher than the principal felony for which the person was convicted, and an additional 12 months will be added to the mandatory minimum sentence. Prohibits sentencing at a level higher than a Class C felony. Requires an indictment or information for the felony to allege the facts that qualify the offense for an enhancement under this provision. Provides that one pleading is sufficient for all felonies that are tried at a single trial. Makes it a Class 3 misdemeanor to possess cannabis or a cannabis-infused product, other than in a closed retailer’s container as packaged, in a passenger compartment of a vehicle in a public vehicular area or on a public street or highway. Makes it a Class 2 misdemeanor to enter or attempt to enter a licensed medical cannabis center where cannabis or a cannabis-infused product is sold, or to obtain or attempt to obtain cannabis or a cannabis-infused product, or to obtain or attempt to obtain permission for such a purchase, by using or attempting to use a fraudulent or altered registry identification card. Specifies that these new penalties can be imposed in addition to any other penalties provided by law. 

Requires DHHS to establish a web-based verification system allowing DHHS personnel, State and local law enforcement personnel, and medical cannabis centers to enter a registry identification card number to determine whether the number corresponds with a current, valid registry identification card. Limits the information that the system may disclose to eight specified items. Specifies who may have access to the system. Requires before cannabis or cannabis-infused products are dispensed to a registry identification cardholder that a medical cannabis center employee access the system and determine that: (1) the registry identification card presented at the medical cannabis center is valid; (2) each person presenting a registry identification card is the person identified on the card; (3) the amount to be dispensed would not cause a qualifying patient to exceed the limit on obtaining no more than an adequate supply of cannabis or cannabis-infused products during any thirty-day period; (4) the cannabis to be dispensed complies with the delivery method; and (5) after making the determinations required in (3), but before dispensing cannabis or cannabis-infused products to a registry identification cardholder, a medical cannabis center employee must enter specified information into the system on the amount of the product, who it is dispensed to, date and time it is to be dispensed, and the dispensing center’s registry identification number. 

Requires DHHS to perform annual inspections of the premises of licensees, including any production facility or medical cannabis center. Establishes security measures and inspection requirements of suppliers, production facilities, and medical cannabis centers, including requiring suppliers to implement security measures adopted by the Commission in consultation with the SBI, and subjecting production facilities and medical cannabis centers owned and operated by a supplier to random inspection by DHHS and the SBI in accordance with rules adopted by the Commission.  

Establishes hour, location, and age restrictions for medical cannabis centers. Prohibits licensed medical cannabis centers from selling cannabis or cannabis-infused products between 7:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. Bars locating a medical cannabis center within 1,000 linear feet of the property line of a church, child care facility, public school or nonpublic school, or community college or UNC facility or grounds. Limits entry to individuals who are qualified patients, designated caregivers, and persons whose job duties require their presence in the medical cannabis center. Requires employees to be 21 or older. Prohibits consuming cannabis or cannabis-infused products on the site of the medical cannabis center. Prohibits cannabis, cannabis-infused products, and paraphernalia from being visible to the public from the outside of the medical cannabis center. Authorizes the Commission to establish rules to allow the delivery of cannabis, cannabis-infused products, and paraphernalia used to administer cannabis products by medical cannabis centers to the home of a qualified patient or designated caregiver. 

Requires DHHS to establish standards for and license up to five independent testing labs to test cannabis and cannabis-infused products that are to be sold in this State. Requires an independent testing lab to analyze a representative sample before the sale or transfer to a medical cannabis center by a production facility; requires the lab to report the results of all required testing to DHHS and the Commission. Makes an independent testing lab responsible for selecting, picking up, and testing samples. Requires DHHS to adopt rules to establish certain standards related to testing, lab licensing, and lab fees, as well as remedial actions that may be taken for samples which do not meet the established standards. Includes disqualifications for owners or employees of a supplier, production facility, or medical cannabis center. 

Establishes advertising restrictions as follows. Requires the production facility or medical cannabis center logo, advertising, and signage to be tasteful, respectful, and medically focused; prohibits it from appealing to minors or containing cartoon-like figures or attempts at humor. Prohibits suppliers from using marijuana leaves or cannabis slang on their signs, logos, packaging or structures, as well as prohibiting the use of neon in signs, logos, packaging, or on structures. Requires suppliers to submit logos or signs to DHHS for review. Requires medical cannabis centers to only use signs that include its name, logo and hours of operation. Establishes prohibited advertisements by suppliers and centers, such as distributing handbills in public areas. Authorizes the Commission to take action against a licensee or retailer who engages in nonconforming signage or advertising. Establishes parameters for medical cannabis center websites. Requires production facilities and medical cannabis centers owned and operated by a supplier to have a discreet, professional appearance compatible with existing commercial structures or land uses in the immediate area. Requires DHHS to consult with the Commission to adopt rules to define and monitor standards for centers’ names, signage, and logo. 

Requires suppliers to safely package and accurately label cannabis or cannabis-infused products and requires items sold at a medical cannabis center to be properly labeled and in child-resistant packaging. Prohibits labels from including strain names and requires labels to include at least 10 specified items, including the name of the medical cannabis center, the percentage of tetrahydrocannabinol and the percentage of cannabidiol within a profile tolerance range of 10%, and the length of time it takes for the product to take effect. Requires cannabis products to be placed in child-resistant packaging before leaving the medical cannabis center. Requires DHHS to adopt rules that accomplish three specified objectives, including establishing restrictions on the forms and appearance of edible cannabis-infused products in order to reduce their appeal to minors. 

Requires the destruction and disposal of (1) production center cannabis by-product, cannabis scrap, and harvested cannabis not intended for distribution to a medical cannabis center or independent testing lab, and (2) cannabis and cannabis-infused products that are not sold to qualifying patients by medical cannabis centers. Requires keeping documentation of the destruction or disposal for at least one year and requires a record of the date of destruction and the amount destroyed. Requires a medical cannabis center to also destroy all unused cannabis products that are returned to the center by a formerly qualifying patient who no longer qualifies or by the former qualifying patient’s caregiver. 

Expresses legislative intent that the NC Collaboratory undertake scientific research regarding the administration of cannabis or cannabis-infused products as a part of medical treatment and directs the Collaboratory to create the North Carolina Cannabis Research Program. Details parameters for the research and includes immunity for the Collaboratory and its partners to possess, transport, test, and dispose of cannabis within the scope of its research. 

Establishes the North Carolina Medical Cannabis Program Fund within DHHS to ensure there are funds to carry out DHHS’s responsibilities under this Article. Requires revenues in excess of the amount needed to implement, administer, and enforce the Article to be distributed to the General Fund annually. 

Appropriates system revenues from license fees and monthly revenue fess to the Commission, with three authorized uses, with priority to costs associated with establishing and operating the regulated medical cannabis supply system. Provides for revenues in excess of the authorized uses to be annually transferred to the General Fund. 

Requires DHHS, in consultation with the Commission and Advisory Board, to report annually on the effectiveness of the medical cannabis program and any recommended changes. Sets out nine items that must be included in the report, while protecting the identity of specified individuals and entities. Requires the report to be submitted to the specified NCGA committees annually by October 1, beginning in the first year in which cannabis or cannabis-infused products are sold in medical cannabis centers. Authorizes DHHS to develop surveys for qualified patients, and the Commission to require completion of the survey by the patients. 

Provides for construction of the Article. Provides a severability clause.  

Amends GS 105-164.13 to exempt from sales tax cannabis or cannabis-infused products sold by a medical cannabis center to a registry identification cardholder. 

Amends GS 106-121 (definitions under Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics Act) to exclude cannabis and cannabis-infused products manufactured by a production facility or sold by a medical cannabis center from the definition of the terms drug and food. 

Effective December 1, 2024, amends GS 15A-974, regarding the exclusion or suppression of unlawfully obtained evidence. Adds new subsection (a1) to bar the suppression of evidence obtained as the result of a search that was supported by probable cause at the time of the search solely on the basis that either: (1) a subsequent determination that a substance believed to be a controlled substance at the time of the search was not a controlled substance; or (2) a subsequent determination that the presence of a controlled substance at the time of the search was not a violation of law. Applies to motions filed on or after December 1, 2024.

Amends GS 90-87 to exclude from the defined term marijuana, an adequate supply of cannabis for medical use in compliance with new Article 5H. 

Makes conforming changes to GS 90-94.

Part X

Adds new GS 90-12.8 requiring a practitioner to do the following when prescribing a Schedule II controlled substance as medication: (1) provide information regarding all of the following to each patient receiving the prescription: the potential dangers of opioids, overdose prevention, and the availability and use of a drug approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration as an opioid antagonist for the complete or partial reversal of opioid-induced respiratory depression; (2) provide this information to one or more persons designated by the patient receiving the prescription or, for minors, to the minor's parent, guardian, or person standing in loco parentis. Defines practitioner as: (1) a physician, dentist, optometrist, veterinarian, scientific investigator, or other person licensed, registered or otherwise permitted to distribute, dispense, conduct research with respect to or to administer a controlled substance so long as such activity is within the normal course of professional practice or research in this State or (2) a pharmacy, hospital or other institution licensed, registered, or otherwise permitted to distribute, dispense, conduct research with respect to or to administer a controlled substance so long as such activity is within the normal course of professional practice or research in this state.

Requires pharmacists to do the following when dispensing a Schedule II controlled substance: (1) provide the information described above in electronic or paper form and (2) post signage in conspicuous place containing the information described above.

Specifies that nothing in this statute creates a private right of action against a practitioner who fails to follow the statute's requirements, or limits a practitioner's liability for negligent diagnosis or treatment of a patient, as allowed under applicable State or federal law.

Exempts practitioners providing hospice services and veterinarians engaged in veterinary medicine at a specified location from the provisions of the act.

Effective December 1, 2025.

Part XI

Specifies that prosecutions for offenses committed before the effective date of the act are not abated or affected by the act, and the statutes that would be applicable but for the act remain applicable to those prosecutions.

Contains a severability clause. 

 

Senate committee substitute to the 2nd edition makes the following changes.

Makes organizational changes and adds the following.

Section 2

Amends GS 130A-50, concerning the election and terms of office of sanitary district boards, to require a sanitary district board (board), for the purpose of electing members of the board, to adopt single-member residency districts in which only a person residing in a district is eligible as a candidate in the election for the seat apportioned to that district, but candidates must be elected at large by the qualified voters of the entire sanitary district. Requires the district boundaries to be adopted in a resolution following a public hearing. Requires the most recent federal decennial census data to be used as the basis of population for establishing the districts and requires the districts to be revised as needed after each census. Requires board members to serve staggered terms. Applies only to a sanitary district lying wholly within a county with more than 17 municipalities lying wholly within that county.

Requires the resolution establishing the district boundaries to be adopted by December 1, 2024, and specifies that the boundaries will remain in effect until after the return of the 2030 census, at which time they must be revised.

Section 3

Amends SL 2023-134 by adding Columbus and Tryon to the recipients of the $2,304,878 allocation. Amends Section 4.2(h) of SL 2024-1 to require the funds that were allocated from Columbus and Tryon to be transferred to OSBM for a grant to those two towns for repayment of debt incurred for construction of a water or wastewater project. 

Section 4

Enacts new GS 130A-70.2 to allow a sanitary district board (board) to extend the boundaries of the district to include all of the contiguous corporate areas of any municipality adopting a resolution requesting inclusion. Requires the board to hold a public hearing as soon as practicable after receiving the resolution. Also requires establishing the new boundaries, if expanded, by resolution after the hearing. Requires the boundary change effective date, as determined by the board, to coincide with the start of a fiscal or calendar year. Requires the board to file a copy of the resolution, upon the expansion of the boundaries, and a map of the new boundaries with the county board of elections.

Applies to any resolution from a municipality received by a board on or after January 1, 2024.

Makes conforming changes to the act's titles.

Senate amendment to the 3rd edition makes the following changes.  Upon removal of a manufacturer or its products from the public directory under GS 143B-245.12, allows retailers 30 days to either sell that retailer's products that were in its inventory as of the day of removal or to remove those products from inventory and return them to the distributor or wholesaler from whom the products were purchased for a refund (was, could only sell products in inventory). 

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

Section 5

Amends GS 14-43.17(victim confidentiality) to remove carve out for court orders to seal documents or parts thereof in a court file in exception to confidentiality provisions under GS 14-43.17. Limits motions for victim confidentiality to those criminal cases arising under Article 10A (pertaining to human trafficking) of GS Chapter 14 (was, any criminal case). Allows victims to file such motions either in the criminal case with the trial court in which the case was pending, in addition to the trial court where the case was most recently pending. Extends time for court to set a hearing from five business days from filing to ten business days from filing. Removes requirement that court direct moving party to notify the State and defendant of the motion and hearing, and puts onus on the movant to do so. Removes requirement that the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) develop policies and practices for effectuating court orders granting motions for victim confidentiality under GS 14-43.17.  Extends immunity under the section to Clerks of Superior Court and removes carve out for gross negligence.

Section 7

Extends deadline for State employees and officials to remove pornography on State devices from August 15, 2024, to January 1, 2025. Extends deadline for State Chief Information Officer to publish recommendations for appropriate viewing of pornography for the purposes authorized by GS 143-805(d), as enacted by the act from August 15, 2024, to January 1, 2025, and for public agencies, the judicial branch and legislative branch to adopt the policy required by GS 143-805(c) to no later than January 1, 2025 (was, October 1, 2024).

Changes the effective date to October 1, 2024 (was, effective when it became law). 

AN ACT TO RECODIFY AND STANDARDIZE THE LAWS RELATING TO SERVICE PURCHASES, INCLUDING BY MAKING TECHNICAL, CLARIFYING, AND CONFORMING CHANGES, UNDER THE TEACHERS' AND STATE EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM, THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL EMPLOYEES' RETIREMENT SYSTEM, THE CONSOLIDATED JUDICIAL RETIREMENT SYSTEM, AND THE LEGISLATIVE RETIREMENT SYSTEM. SL 2024-10. Enacted June 20, 2024. Effective June 20, 2024.