House committee substitute to the 2nd edition removes the content of the previous edition and replaces it with the following.

Section 1.1

Sets a monthly teacher salary schedule for "A" teachers for 2024-25 for licensed public school personnel classified as teachers, based on years of experience, ranging from $4,100 for teachers with 0 years of experience to $5,595 for 25 or more years of experience. Provides for a 12% salary supplement for licensed teachers who have National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification; a 10% salary supplement for licensed teachers classified as "M" teachers; a $126 salary supplement for licensed teachers with licensure based on academic preparation at the six-year degree level, in addition to the "M" teachers salary supplement; a $253 salary supplement for licensed teachers with licensure based on academic preparation at the doctoral degree level, in addition to the "M" teachers salary supplement; a 10% salary supplement for certified school nurses; and a $100 salary supplement for school counselors who are licensed as counselors at the master’s degree level or higher.

Requires that the first step of the salary schedule for school psychologists, school speech pathologists licensed at the master's degree level or higher, and school audiologists licensed at the master's degree level or higher must be equivalent to the sixth step of the "A" salary schedule. Provides for a 10% and $350 salary supplement. Deems these employees eligible to receive salary supplements equivalent to those of teachers for academic preparation at the six-year degree level or the doctoral degree level. Requires that the twenty-sixth step of the salary schedule for school psychologists, school speech pathologists licensed at the master's degree level or higher, and school audiologists licensed at the master's degree level or higher must be 7.5% higher than the salary received by these same employees on the twenty-fifth step of the salary schedule. Provides that in lieu of the amounts of annual longevity payments to teachers paid on the teacher salary schedule, beginning with the 2014-15 fiscal year, the amounts of those longevity payments are included in the monthly amounts under the teacher salary schedule.

Details teacher compensation for the 2024-25 school year based on either (1) the applicable salary schedule; (2) the sum of the salary the teacher received in 2013-14, longevity pay for the 2013-14 school year, and annual bonus provided in SL 2014-100; or (3) for those not eligible for longevity in 2013-14, the sum of the salary and annual bonus the teacher received in 2014-15 school year, with the compensation amount determined to be equal to the greater of those amounts. Provides that "teacher" includes instructional support personnel.

Section 1.2

Sets an annual principal salary schedule, applicable to the 2024-25 fiscal year beginning July 1, 2024. Sets out the schedule based on average daily membership (ADM) with amounts increasing from the base amount for meeting and then for exceeding growth; sets out provisions for determining which category to use. Amounts range from $77,792 for an ADM of 0-200 base salary to $116,687 for an ADM of 1,601 or more that exceeds growth. Sets out provisions governing placement on the salary scale. Provides that in lieu of the amounts of annual longevity payments, beginning with the 2017-18 fiscal year, the amounts of those longevity payments are included in the salary. Details principal compensation for the applicable school year based on (1) the applicable salary schedule, (2) the sum of the salary received in 2016-17 and longevity pay for the 2016-17 school year, or (3) the salary received in 2016-17 if not eligible for longevity at that time.

Section 1.3

Requires the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to administer a bonus in the 2024-25 fiscal year to any principal who supervised a school as a principal for a majority of the previous school year if that school was in the top 50% of school growth in the State during the previous school year. Sets out the amount of the bonus, ranging from $15,000 for those with a statewide growth percentage in the top 5%, down to $1,000 for those with a statewide growth percentage in the top 50%. States the NCGA’s intent that funds provided pursuant to this section will supplement principal compensation and not supplant local funds. Requires the bonus to be paid by October 31, 2024, to qualifying principals employed as of October 1, 2024.

Section 1.4

Provides that for 2024-25, beginning July 1, 2024, assistant principals are to receive a monthly salary based on the "A" teacher salary schedule plus 19%, with placement based on total years the assistant principal has spent as a certified employee. Requires assistant principals with certification based on academic preparation at the six-year degree level to be paid a salary supplement of $126 per month, and at the doctoral degree level to be paid a salary supplement of $253 per month. Provides for a 10-month stipend for participants in an approved full-time master's in-school administration program. Details limitations and required certification. Provides that in lieu of the amounts of annual longevity payments to assistant principals paid on the assistant principal salary schedule, beginning with the 2017-18 fiscal year, the amounts of those longevity payments are included in the monthly amounts provided to assistant principals pursuant to the act. Requires assistant principals paid under the salary schedule provided for the 2024-25 fiscal year to receive the greater amount of (1) the applicable amount provided in the salary schedule by the act, (2) the salary the assistant principal received in the 2016-17 school year under Sections 9.1 or 9.2 of SL 2016-94 plus the longevity that would have been received, or (3) the salary received in 2016-17 if not eligible for longevity at that time.

Section 1.5

Sets out the monthly salary maximums for superintendents, assistant superintendents, associate superintendents, directors/coordinators, supervisors, and finance officers for 2024-25, beginning July 1, 2024. Specifies that longevity pay for superintendents, assistant superintendents, associate superintendents, directors/coordinators, supervisors, and finance officers is as provided for State employees under the North Carolina Human Resources Act. Provides a salary supplement of $126 for superintendents, assistant superintendents, associate superintendents, directors/coordinators, supervisors, and finance officers who have certification based on a six-year degree level. Provides a salary supplement of $253 per month those with certification based on a doctoral degree. Directs the State Board of Education to prevent local school administrative units from transferring State funds from other funding categories to salaries for central office administrators.

Section 1.6

Increases salaries for the 2024-2025 fiscal year, beginning July 1, 2024, for noncertified public school employees whose salaries are supported from State funds as follows: (1) by 3% for permanent, full-time employees on a 12-month contract, and (2) for the following employees, by an equitable amount based on the amount specified above: a. permanent, full-time employees on a contract for fewer than 12 months, b. permanent, part-time employees, and c. temporary and permanent hourly employees.

Section 1.7

Requires that for the 2024-25 fiscal year, employees of schools operated by the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Adult Correction, and the State Board of Education who are paid on the Teacher Salary Schedule must be paid as authorized under this act.

Section 1.8

Effective July 1, 2024.

Makes conforming changes to the act's titles.

House committee substitute to the 2nd edition removes the content of the previous edition and replaces it with the following.

Subject to approval by voters at the statewide election on November 5, 2024, amends Sections 2 and 3 of Article VI of the North Carolina Constitution to require all voters (was, only voters offering to vote in person) to present photo identification before voting. If approved, effective upon certification by the State Board of Elections. 

Makes conforming changes to the act's titles.

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

Section 1

Extends the time that nonrecurring appropriation funds that will revert to the fund from which the appropriation was so that those funds remain available for expenditure until December 31, 2024 (was, September 30, 2024).

Section 2

Removes provisions pertaining to the reduction of funds for premium pay bonuses under SL 2021-180 and the allocation form SFRF to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for child care stabilization grants. Reduces the following nine State Fiscal Recovery Funds appropriated in SL 2021-180:

• Economic Assistance Funds to the Administrative Office of the Courts by $964,680
• Motorsports to the Department of Commerce (DOC) by $125,338
• Premium Pay Bonuses to DHHS by $11,993,088
• Temporary Assistance Funding for ICF/IID’s by $4,686
• Smart School Bus Pilot to the Department of Public Instruction by $3,327,585
• Mainframe Migration to the Department of Revenue (DOR) by $372,237
• Business Recovery Grant Program to DOR by $2,917,143
• Longleaf Commitment Grants to UNC Board of Governors by $13,148,275
• DEQ for water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure grants by $800 million.

Requires state agencies in possession of the above described funds to return the funds to the State Fiscal Recovery Fund (SFRF) not later than fifteen business days after the section becomes law. Specifies that if the reductions above are not sufficient to meet the funding reallocations below, the Office of State Budget and Management (OMB) in conjunction with the NC Pandemic Recovery Office, identify additional SFRF funds to meet the allocations.

Directs OMB to allocate SFRF funds for the following purposes:

• $32,853,032 to the Department Health and Human Services (DHHS) for Childcare Stabilization Grants
• $800 million to OSBM to offset existing General Fund appropriations across State government for allowable uses of SFRF funds for FY 2024-2025, to be fully expended by June 30, 2025.

Appropriates $800 million in nonrecurring funds from the General Fund for FY 2024-25 to DEQ for water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure grants.

Section 2A

Appropriates $32,853,032 from SFRF in nonrecurring funds to DHHS’s Division of Child Development and Early Education (Division) from SFRF, $25,498,922 in nonrecurring funds from the Child Care and Development and Block Grant, and $9,148,046 from the General Fund to continue the compensation grants portion of the child care stabilization grants. Requires the Division to continue the compensation grants portion of the child care stabilization grants for the first two quarters of FY 2024-25 at a reduced level to stay within the provided funding limits.

Amends Section 9M.1 of SL 2023-134, as amended, to increase the appropriation lined as the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) to the Division for Subsidized Child Care from $45,813,694 to $52,316,626; the total TANF funds from $312,353,987 to $318,856,919 for FY 2024-25. Amends Section 9M.1 of SL 2023-134 as amended, to amends the appropriation lined as Child Care and Development Fund Block Grant, Local Program Expenditures, as follows: (1) reduces child care services from $289,070,072 to $282,567,140; (2) increases Quality and Availability Initiatives funds from $61,980,526 to $87,479,448; and overall (3) increases the Total Child Care and Development Fund Block Grant from $411,280,123 to $430,302,451. Specifies that of the $87,479,448 appropriated $25,498,922 must be used to extend the compensation grants portion of the child care stabilization grants.

Amends GS 115C-562.8 (opportunity scholarship grant reserve) and GS 115C-597 to authorize the State Education Assistance Authority (Authority) to allocate unused funds of the additional administrative costs  of the Personal Education Student Accounts for Children with Disabilities Program if the actual costs of administering the scholarship grant program is less than the funds authorized for administering the program. Amends the amount the Authority may use for administrative costs.

Amends GS 116-143.1 (relating to provisions for determining resident status for tuition purposes), so that any citizen of the Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, or the Republic of Palau who is a nonresident is eligible to be charged in-State tuition rate and pay the full amount of the in-State tuition rate and applicable mandatory fees. Effective July 1, 2024, and applicable beginning with the 2024-25 academic year.

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

Amends the act’s title. Makes organizational changes. Adds the following new content:

Part II

Amends GS 7A-224 so that judgment is rendered in a small claims action either when it is signed by the magistrate or rendered electronically by the magistrate (currently, judgment is only rendered when signed by the magistrate). Amends GS 7A-228 (new trials, appeals for trial de novo, how appeal is perfected, oral notice, and dismissal in small claims actions) to change references from entry of judgment to rendering of judgment. Makes language gender neutral. Effective October 1, 2025, and applies to judgments rendered on or after that date.

Part III

Amends GS 7A-228 requiring that a superior or district court or clerk of superior court authorizing a person to appeal as an indigent person make written findings that either: (1) include all GS 1-110 criteria that leads to the authorization of the person to appeal to district court as indigent and information or evidence used to determine the criteria exists, or (2) establish that the authorization was not based on GS 1-110 criteria and the information or evidence used to determine that the person would otherwise be authorized to appeal as an indigent. Changes the grounds for a plaintiff to move to dismiss a defendant’s summary ejectment appeal so that the plaintiff is authorized to do so if the defendant failed to raise a defense orally or writing in small claims court and also either failed to perform one of two listed obligations in the statute. (Currently, GS 7A-228 lists failure to raise defense as one of listed obligations in the statute and does not give priority to any of the obligations).

Amends GS 42-31 (trial by magistrate in summary ejectment proceedings) to require that if a magistrate finds in favor of the plaintiff, their judgment must include an order to the clerk of superior court providing that if the judgment is appealed by the defendant, the clerk of superior court is compelled to pay to the plaintiff any amount specified in GS 42-34 within five business days of a written request by the plaintiff. Makes conforming changes to GS 42-34 (undertaking on appeal and order staying execution for summary ejectment proceedings) to account for new contents of magistrate’s order.

Amends GS 42-34 (undertaking on appeal and order staying execution for summary ejectment proceedings) as follows. Requires that the clerk of superior court's payment to the plaintiff any amount of the rental payments paid by the defendant into the clerk's office which are not claimed by the defendant in any pleading be paid within five business days of the plaintiff's written request. Also requires when it appears by stipulation executed by all of the parties or by final order of the court that the appeal has been resolved, that the clerk of court disbursed accrued money within five business days of a written request. 

Effective October 1, 2024, and applies to judgments rendered on or after that date.

Part IV

Amends GS 14-127 (willful and wanton injury to property) to make it a Class I felony if a person willfully and wantonly damages, injures, or destroys the residential real property of another, and that damage, injury, or destruction results in damages valued at $500, so long as the conduct is not covered under some other provision of law providing greater punishment. Effective December 1, 2024, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.

Part V

Adds new GS 14-117.8 making it a Class H felony to rent or lease residential real property to another person knowing that the renter or lessor has no lawful ownership in the property or leasehold interest in the property and a Class I felony to list or advertise residential real property for sale knowing that the purported seller has no legal title or authority to sell the property. Specifies that violations of new GS 14-117.8 (fraudulently renting, leasing, or advertising for sale of residential real property) is a violation GS 75-1.1 (unfair methods of competition altering or affecting commerce). Effective December 1, 2024, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.

House amendment to the 6th edition makes a technical change to GS 18B-108 (concerning sales on trains). 

House committee substitute to the 3rd edition replaces the prior edition in its entirety with the following new content.

Makes conforming changes to act’s titles.

Section 1

Enacts new Article 44, Healing Arts, in GS Chapter 90, providing as follows.

Part 1 of the new Article establishes the North Carolina Healing Arts Act and sets out the act's purpose. Defines healing arts as the use of allopathic, complementary, or alternative approaches to the art and science of medicine for the prevention, identification, and treatment of human physical or mental conditions, diseases, ailments, illnesses, infirmities, pain, defects, or injuries and the promotion and restoration of health and wellness. Creates the seven-member North Carolina Health Arts Commission (Commission), with initial members to be appointed by the specified entities, for three-year terms, by January 1, 2025. Subsequent members serve for terms of three years. Sets out provisions for the inclusion of additional members for any healing arts professions created after January 1, 2025. Provides for the filling of vacancies and sets out membership requirements including citizenship requirements, residency requirements, and the requirement to hold a North Carolina Healing Arts License in the individual's respective healing arts profession. Sets out additional restrictions on the public members of the Commission. Allows for the removal of commission members. Requires Commission officers to be elected annually; sets out requirements for the meeting timing, for serving as chair, for adopting rules governing meetings, and for establishing a quorum. 

Sets out the Commission's nine powers, including administering, coordinating, and enforcing the Article; issuing a North Carolina Healing Arts License to practice the healing art; taking specified disciplinary actions; and conducting administrative hearings necessary to administer the Article, including disciplinary hearings. Sets out provisions governing fees payable to the Commission. Requires the Commission to establish fees of up to $300 for the issuance of a North Carolina Healing Arts License, $200 for the license application and exam, $350 for the renewal of the license, and $200 for late renewal. Makes the first violation of the Article punishable by a written warning, a second violation punishable by a civil penalty of no more than $200, and third and subsequent violations subject to a civil penalty of no more than $200 per violation and a Class 1 misdemeanor. Directs that violations of the provisions governing naturopathic doctors are a Class 1 misdemeanor.  Allows the Commission to proceed in superior court to enjoin and restrain any person from violating the Article. Specifies that the healing arts professions subject to the Article are reflexologists, music therapists, and naturopathic doctors. 

Part 2 of the new Article makes it State policy to consider reflexology as a healing arts profession. Defines reflexology as a protocol of manual techniques, including specified practices, that are applied to specific reflex areas predominantly on the feet and hands and that stimulate the complex neural pathways linking body systems and support the body's efforts to function optimally; specifies that reflexology is not massage and bodywork therapy. Defines a North Carolina Licensed Reflexologist as an individual that (1) is certified by the certifying entity as a certified reflexologist and (2) and been issued a North Carolina Healing Arts License in reflexology by the Commission. 

Establishes the three-member North Carolina Reflexology Advisory Committee (Reflexology Committee). Sets out membership requirements and provides for the appointment of initial members by January 1, 2025, with initial members serving 1-2 years. Subsequent membership terms are for three years, with no member serving for more than two consecutive terms. Sets out membership qualifications including citizenship requirements, residency requirements, certification as a reflexologist, and being eligible to obtain a healing arts license in reflexology (with the requirement that appointees immediately seek to obtain the license). Sets out additional restrictions on the public members. Provides for the election of a chair and other officers, holding meetings, and establishing a quorum. 

Sets out the Reflexology Committee's eight powers and duties, including establishing and determining qualification and fitness of applicants for a North Carolina Healing Arts License in reflexology; making recommendations to the Commission whether to issue, renew, deny, suspend, revoke, or refuse to issue or renew North Carolina Healing Arts License in reflexology; and making recommendations to the Commission on discipline of North Carolina Licensed Reflexologists. Sets out requirements for applying for a North Carolina Healing Arts License in reflexology, which must be renewed annually. Allows compensation for reflexology services to be received only when those services are performed by an individual holding a North Carolina Healing Arts License in reflexology. Subjects non-licensed individuals providing reflexology services or engaging in the practice of reflexology to penalties or an injunction, unless: (1) the individual is a reflexology student working to obtain a certification of completion from a nationally recognized reflexology education program or (2) the individual holds a certification of completion from a nationally recognized reflexology education program, and that program was completed no more than six months before receiving compensation for services. Provides that unless all reflexology services are performed by individuals holding a state license, a place of business where reflexology services are offered for compensation is subject to a civil penalty of no more than $500 per violation and a suspension of any license to operate the business for no more than 90 days. Requires businesses to display a valid and up-to-date certificate for all individuals offering compensated reflexology services.  Sets out information that must be included in advertisements. Provides for reciprocity for individuals licensed or certified to practice reflexology in another state or territory.  Provides that this Part does not apply to pressure to the reflex areas on the hands, feet, and outer ears in the regular course of the individual's work, so long as the specified requirements are met. 

Part 3 of the new Article makes it State policy to consider music therapy as a healing arts profession. Defines music therapy as the clinical and evidence-based use of music interventions to accomplish individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed professional who has completed an approved music therapy program, including the specified assessments, development and implementation of treatment plans that use specified music interventions, and evaluation and documentation of the client's response to treatment. Defines music therapy services as the provision of services to accomplish music therapy goals, including (1) conducting an individualized assessment for the purpose of collecting systematic, comprehensive, and accurate data necessary to determine the course of action subsequent to the individualized treatment plan; (2) planning and developing the individualized music therapy treatment plan that identifies an individual's goals, objectives, and potential treatment intervention strategies; (3) implementing the individualized music therapy treatment plan consistent with the individual's overall treatment program; (4) systematically evaluating and comparing the individual's response to the individualized music therapy treatment plan and suggesting modifications, as appropriate; (5) developing a discharge plan in collaboration with the individual, the individual's family, treatment team, and other identified support networks, when appropriate; (6) minimizing the impact of environmental constraints as a barrier to participation in least-restrictive environments for individuals engaging in music therapy; (7) collaborating with and educating the individual, family, caregiver, and others to foster an environment responsive to the developmental needs of the individual as addressed in music therapy; or (8) consulting with groups, programs, organizations, or communities to improve accessibility to music therapy services.

Establishes the three-member North Carolina Music Therapy Advisory Committee (Music Therapy Committee). Sets out membership requirements and provides for the appointment of initial members by January 1, 2025, with initial members serving 1-2 years. Subsequent membership terms are for three years, with no member serving for more than two consecutive terms. Sets out membership qualifications including citizenship requirements, residency requirements, certification as a music therapist, and being eligible to obtain a healing arts certification in music therapy (with the requirement that appointees immediately seek to obtain the license). Sets out additional restrictions on the public members. Provides for the election of a chair and other officers, holding meetings, and establishing a quorum. 

Sets out the Music Therapy Committee's eight powers and duties, including establishing and determining qualification and fitness of applicants for a North Carolina Healing Arts License in music therapy; recommendations to the Commission to issue, renew, deny, suspend, revoke, or refuse to issue or renew North Carolina Healing Arts Licenses in music therapy; and recommendations to the Commission to discipline North Carolina Licensed Music Therapists. Sets out requirements for applying for a North Carolina Healing Arts License in music therapy, which must be renewed after five years, including completing the specified academic requirements, completing the specified exam, and completing the specified number of clinical training hours. Allows compensation for music therapy services to be received only when those services are performed by an individual holding a North Carolina Healing Arts License in music therapy. Subjects non-licensed individuals providing music therapy services or engaging in the practice of music therapy to penalties or an injunction. Provides for reciprocity for individuals licensed or certified to practice music therapy in another state or territory. 

Part 4 of the new Article makes it State policy to consider naturopathic medicine as a healing arts profession. Defines naturopathic medicine as a system of natural health care that employs diagnosis and treatment using diagnostic techniques and natural therapies for the promotion, maintenance, and restoration of health and the prevention of disease, including all of the following: the administration or provision of any of the following for preventive and therapeutic purposes: natural medicines, natural therapies, natural topical medicines, hydrotherapy, dietary therapy, and naturopathic physical medicine; the use of diagnostic procedures, including physical and orificial examination, but excluding endoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy; and the ordering, performing, and interpretation of laboratory tests and diagnostic imaging. Sets out the scope of practice of naturopathic medicine as well as prohibitions on practice. Sets out and defines other terms.

Establishes the three-member North Carolina Naturopathic Medicine Advisory Committee (Naturopathic Therapy Committee). Sets out membership requirements and provides for the appointment of initial members by January 1, 2025, with initial members serving 1-2 years. Subsequent membership terms are for three years, with no member serving for more than two consecutive terms. Sets out membership qualifications including citizenship requirements, residency requirements, graduation from an approved program, and being eligible to obtain a healing arts license in naturopathic medicine (with the requirement that appointees immediately seek to obtain the license). Sets out additional restrictions on the public members. Provides for the election of a chair and other officers, holding meetings, and establishing a quorum.

Sets out the Naturopathic Therapy Committee's eight powers and duties, including establishing and determining qualification and fitness of applicants for a North Carolina Healing Arts License in naturopathic medicine; recommendations the Commission to issue, renew, deny, suspend, revoke, or refuse to issue or renew North Carolina Healing Arts Licenses in naturopathic medicine; and recommendations to the Commission to discipline North Carolina Licensed Naturopathic Doctors. Sets out requirements for applying for a North Carolina Healing Arts License in naturopathic medicine, which must be every year, including completing the specified academic requirements, and completing the specified exam.

Establishes the six-member Naturopathic Doctors Formulary Council to develop and recommend to the Naturopathic Therapy Committee a formulary for naturopathic doctors to use in practice. Sets out membership requirements, with members serving three year terms, and the Council's duties. Sets out requirements for the formulary.

Prohibits practicing, attempting to practice, or claiming to practice, naturopathic medicine without a license. Sets out six exemptions, including practice by a naturopathic doctor duly licensed or registered in another state, territory, or the District of Columbia when called into this State to consult with a licensed or registered health care provider for a period not to exceed six months, and practice by students completing a clinical requirement for graduation from an approved program of naturopathic medicine, so long as the practice is performed under the supervision of a physician licensed under Article 1 of GS Chapter 90 or a licensed naturopathic doctor and the clinical requirement does not exceed one year.

Provides for reciprocity. Requires reporting misconduct or incapacity of a licensed naturopathic doctor and sets out disciplinary actions that may be taken. Provides criminal and civil immunity for the Naturopathic Therapy Committee, its officers, employees, and staff for exercising, in good faith, the powers and duties given to the Committee.

Amends GS 90-18, requiring a license to practice medicine or surgery, by excluding the practice of naturopathic medicine by a licensed naturopathic doctor.

Amends GS 90-624 (activities not requiring a license to practice) in Article 36 (massage and bodywork therapy practice) which states nothing in Article 36 may be used to prohibit or affect a list of specified activities, by adding new subdivision (9) listing a licensed reflexologist engaged in the practice of reflexology as defined in GS 90-730.11.

Enacts new GS 143B-975 allowing the Department of Public Safety to provide the Commission a criminal history record for naturopathic doctor licensure applicants. Requires the Commission to provide fingerprints and a consent form along with the requests for criminal history records. Allows charging a fee to offset the Department of Public Safety's costs for conducting the record check.

Section 2

Provides for initial appointments to the Commission on or before December 1, 2024, by designated appointing entities for specified terms ranging from one year to three years. Requires that the professional healing arts appointees appointed to the Commission must have been State residents for at least two years prior to appointment, certified by a national entity that certifies each respective profession, and eligible for licensure under the act.  Requires those healing arts appointees apply for a healing arts license as soon as the first application period begins and that they remain in good standing with the Commission. Directs that the violations and injunctive provisions set forth in GS 90-750.6 and GS 90-750.7 become effective on the date that is the first day of a month that begins 180 days after the Chair of the Commission certifies to the Revisor of Statutes that the Commission has begun accepting applications for Healing Arts Licenses, and applies to acts committed on or after that date.

Section 3

Includes persons employed by a barbershop whose duties are confined to the shampooing or blow drying of hair, provided that the person complies with the GS 86B-31’s sanitary rules under the exemptions from the provisions governing barbers under GS 86B-32 . Exempts persons employed in cosmetic arts shop whose duties confined to the shampooing or blow drying of hair, provided that the person conforms to rules governing sanitary management of cosmetic arts shops from the provisions governing cosmetic artists under GS Chapter 88B under GS 88B-25.

Section 4

Extends the training requirements for licensure as a massage and bodywork therapist to 650 in-class hours (currently, 500 in-class hours) under GS 90-629 (requirements for licensure). Applies to applicants who apply for licensure on or after July 1, 2024.

Section 5

Removes the licensure requirement that an electrologist be a resident of the State under GS 86B-53.

Section 6

Specifies that a rule submitted to the Codifier of Rules (COR) under GS 150B-21.21 (publication of rules of the NC State Bar, the Building Code Council and exempt agencies) becomes effective on the first of the month following submission for inclusion in the NC Administrative Code (NCAC).

Section 7

Directs the Legislative Library (Library) to send a request for documentation (i.e., the current membership, last reported minutes, current bylaws, and a listing of the entities to which reports are to be submitted) and confirmation of activity to all boards, committees, and commissions that have not expired or been repealed.  Directs the Library to compile a list of any entity that fails to respond within 120 days or responds, but has not met within the past 12 months and to send that list to the Joint Legislative Administrative Procedure Oversight Committee (Committee). Directs the Committee to recommend legislation to the 2025 Regular Session of the 2025 General Assembly to repeal those entities on the list.

Section 8

Extends the effective date of the amendments made to GS 113-170.3 (concerning reporting requirements and mandatory reporting for certain fisheries) by SL 2023-134 (2023 regulatory reform act) by one year. 

Section 9

Amends GS 14-159.1 (now criminal offense of contaminating or injuring a public water system and injuring a public wastewater treatment facility) as follows. Changes the intent requirement for the offense of contaminating a public water system from willfully and wantonly to knowingly and willfully commit any of the listed acts. Sets forth the separate offense of injuring a public water system, which makes it a Class C felony to knowingly and willfully stop, obstruct, impair, weaken, destroy, injure, or otherwise damage, or attempt to stop, obstruct, impair, weaken, destroy, injure, or otherwise damage, the property or equipment of a public water system, with the intent to impair the services of the public water system. (Currently, the only illegal acts pertaining to damaging a public water system are if the person willfully and wantonly damages or tampers with the property or equipment of a public water system with the intent to impair the system’s services.) Makes it a Class C felony to knowingly and willfully stop, obstruct, impair, weaken, destroy, injure, or otherwise damage, or attempt to stop, obstruct, impair, weaken, destroy, injure, or otherwise damage, the property or equipment of a wastewater treatment system (defined) that is owned or operated by a (1) public utility or (2) local government unit. Makes organizational and technical changes. Imposes a mandatory $250,000 fine for persons who commit any of the offenses listed in GS 14-159.1. Prevents the offense from merging with other offenses.

Amends GS 62-323 (willful injury to public utility property) to increase the offense from a Class 1 misdemeanor to a Class C felony. Prevents merger of offenses. Specifies that the section only applies to conduct resulting in injury to a public utility or property thereof, that’s not otherwise covered by GS 14-159.1 (discussed above), GS 14-150.2 (injuring an energy facility), and GS 14-154 (injuring wires and other fixtures of telephone, broadband, broadcast, or cable telecommunications companies).

Adds new GS 14-150.3 (injuring a manufacturing facility) making it a Class C felony for a person to knowingly and willfully stop, obstruct, impair, weaken, destroy, injure, or otherwise damage, or attempt to stop, obstruct, impair, weaken, destroy, injure, or otherwise damage, the property or equipment of a manufacturing facility (defined as a facility used for the lawful production or manufacture of goods).  Imposes a mandatory $250,000 fine for persons who commit the offense. Prevents the offense from merging with other offenses.

Creates a civil action for persons whose property or person is injured by reason of a violation of GS 14-159.1, GS 62-323, or GS 14-150.3 with treble actual and consequential damages. Provides for direct, accessory, solicitation, conspiracy and material support liability. Directs that establishment of the statutory violation constitutes willful and wanton conduct for purposes of punitive damages and that the cap on punitive damages does not apply.  Directs that the civil action is in addition to any other rights and remedies provided by law.

Directs that: (1) GS 14-159.1 (offenses for public water and wastewater facilities) does not apply to work or activity that is performed at or on a wastewater treatment facility by the owner or operator of the facility, or an agent of the owner or operator authorized to perform such work or activity by the owner or operator; (2) GS 62-323 (felony willful injury to public utility property) does not apply to work or activity performed at or on a public activity by the utility’s owner or operator or an agent thereof authorized to perform such work; and (3)  GS 14-150.3 (injury to a manufacturing facility) does not apply to work or activity performed at or on a wastewater treatment facility/public utility/manufacturing facility by the utility's/facility’s owner or operator or an agent thereof authorized to perform such work. Also specifies that GS 62-323 does not apply to lawful activity authorized or required under State or federal law.

Repeals GS 143-152 (making it a misdemeanor to cause injury to intentionally or maliciously damage or obstruct any waterline of any public institution, or in any way contaminate or render the water impure or injurious).

Amends GS 1D-27 by specifying that the cap on punitive damages in GS 1D-25(b) does not apply to violations of GS 14-150.2(b), GS 14-150.3(a), GS 14-159.1(a), (b), or (c), or GS 62-323(a).

Effective December 1, 2024, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date. Specifies that prosecutions for offenses committed before December 1, 2024, are not abated or affected by the act, and the statutes that would be applicable but for the act remain applicable.  

Section 10

Enacts new Article 3 to GS Chapter 64, which is known as The NC High Purity Quartz Protection Act.  Contains findings. Specifies that it is in the public interest for the State to guard its deposits of high purity quartz from the potential of adversarial foreign government control to protect its vital mineral and economic resources. Contains five definitions, including adversarial foreign government (a state-controlled enterprise or the  government of a foreign nation that has received a designation under 15 C.F.R. § 7.4 from a determination by the United States Secretary of Commerce that the entity has engaged in a long-term pattern or serious instances of conduct significantly adverse to the national security of the United States or security and safety of United States persons). Prevents an adversarial foreign government from purchasing, acquiring, leasing or holding any interest in (1) a quartz mining operation or (2) land containing commercially valuable amounts of high purity quartz under new GS 64-53. Directs that any transfers of an interest in land or mining operation in violation of the above is void.  Designates the State and the US Secretary of Commerce as solely responsible for determining whether an individual or entity is subject to new Article 3. Directs that an individual or other entity that is not an adversarial foreign government does not bear any civil or criminal liability for failing to determine or make inquiry of whether an individual or other entity is an adversarial foreign government. Applies to interests in land acquired on or after the act becomes law.

Section 11

Expands the type of projects subject to the requirements for certification under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act included in GS 143-214.1A to include also electric generation projects located at an existing or former electric generation facility. Applies to applications for 401 Certification pending or submitted after the act becomes law. 

Section 12

Adds new GS 162A-900 (concerning limitations on allocating service for residential development), as follows. Prevents local government units from requiring applicants for water and sewer service for residential development to agree to conditions not otherwise authorized by law or offers to consent to any condition not otherwise authorized by law, including: (1) payment of taxes, impact fees or other fees, or contributions to any fund; (2) adherence to restrictions on land development or land use; and (3) adherence to any restrictions related to building design elements. Prevents local government units from implementing a scoring system or preference system to allocate water or sewer service among applicants for residential development that includes four listed matters, including considering building design elements, setting minimum square footage, or requiring additional fire apparatus roads that are not in compliance with the required number of such roads set forth in the NC Residential Code. Defines residential development as new development of single-family or multi-family housing.

Section 13

Amends GS 62-133.4 (concerning gas cost adjustments for natural gas local distribution companies), as follows. Prevents utilities from recovering from ratepayers, in any rate recovery proceeding or rider, the incremental cost of natural gas attributable to renewable energy biomass resources that exceeds the average system cost of gas unattributable to renewable energy biomass resources calculated and filed with the Utilities Commission (UC). Directs each natural gas local distribution company that incurs costs attributable to renewable energy biomass resources to submit the utility's actual cost thereof to the UC monthly for purposes of determining the total amount of natural gas costs recoverable under GS 62-133.4. Defines domestic wastewater, natural gas or gas, and renewable energy biomass resources. Amends the definition of cost to also include those related to the production of natural gas.

Expands the things that are recoverable under GS 62-133.7A (concerning rate adjustment mechanisms for natural gas local distribution company rates) to allow the UC to enable a natural gas local distribution company to recover the prudently incurred capital investment and associated costs for producing and transporting natural gas as defined in GS 62-133.4 or consistent with the intent and purpose of GS 62-133.4. Makes organizational changes. Makes conforming changes, including to the statute's title.

Applies to rate case proceedings filed on or after the date the act becomes law.

Section 14

Amends GS 159G-36 by no longer prohibiting grants under the Viable Utility Reserve to a single local government for emergency grants for operating deficits from being awarded for more than three consecutive fiscal years.

Section 15

Exempts an Eligible Disabled Veteran (a disabled military veteran who was honorable or separated under honorable conditions, who (i) has submitted an application for a pass included within the Annual Pass Program, and (ii) has provided the NC Division of Parks and Recreation [Division] a copy of the veteran's disability certification or evidence of benefits received under 38 U.S.C. § 2101) whose application under has been approved by the Division from being required to pay a fee for any pass included within the NC State Parks Annual Pass Program. Requires the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) to adopt rules, or amend any current rules, necessary to implement this section.

Section 16

Requires that the CAMA Rules (15A NCAC Subchapter 07H-State Guidelines for Areas of Environmental Concern) be implemented as follows.  The Coastal Resources Commission (CRC) will, for the purpose of a dune building and beach planting project, authorize local governments that have received a permit to construct a terminal groin pursuant to GS 113A-115.1 to establish a measurement line, as that term is defined under 15A NCAC 07H .0305(9), that represents the location of the first line of stable and natural vegetation that is covered by the dune building and beach planting project. The measurement line shall be: (1) established in coordination with the Division of Coastal Management using on-ground observation and survey or aerial imagery for  all areas of oceanfront that undergo dune building and beach planting project; and (2) applicable for a period of no less than two years from the completion of the dune building and beach planting project. Requires the Environmental Management Commission (EMC) to adopt rules consistent with the above. Applies the APA’s effective date provisions triggered when 10 or more written objections are received to the rule (GS 150B-21.3). Sunsets this provision when the permanent rules become effective. Specifies that the provisions of the APA requiring review by the rules commission do not apply.  Makes the above provisions effective on the later of the following dates and applicable to applications for permits pending on or filed on or after that date: (1) September 1, 2024, or (2) the first day of the month that is 60 days after the DEQ Secretary certifies to the Revisor of Statutes that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has approved the changes made to the CAMA rules.

Requires DEQ, by August 1, 2024, to prepare and submit to NOAA for approval, the above proposed changes to the CAMA rules. Requires DEQ to report to the specified NCGA committee on the status of their activities under this section quarterly, beginning September 1, 2024, until the NCGA repeals this reporting requirement. 

Section 17

Amends GS 130A-291.1 (concerning septage management programs and permitting) to exempt food service establishments not involved in pumping or vacuuming a grease appurtenance from needing a permit under the statute.  

Section 18

Amends the outdoor grill requirements under GS 130A-248 (regulation of food and lodging establishments) to expand the acceptable surfaces of the grill to include stone or similar surfaces that comply with the relevant sections of the food code and no longer requires the outdoor grill to be in an enclosed area when not in operation.  

Section 19

Amends GS 20-119(f) as follows. Lists five requirements that a motor vehicle must meet in order to be used as an escort vehicle, including meeting a legal requirements for travel on a State roadway. Provides that the minimum age for an escort vehicle driver cannot be greater than 18. Directs that the Department of Transportation (DOT) cannot require escort vehicle drivers to possess a commercial drivers license. Allows persons holding a valid Class A commercial drivers license to sit for an escort vehicle certification exam without meeting any additional requirements. Requires DOT to allow third parties, including employers of escort drivers, to train and certify escort drivers pursuant to the rules issued by DOT to implement the changes to GS 20-119(f). 

Section 20

Amends GS 87-128 (absence of a facility location under the Underground Utility Safety and Damage Prevention Act) so that if an operator has visited the proposed excavation or demolition area and failed to properly locate a facility, there is a presumption, rebuttable by clear and convincing evidence, that the excavator has exercised due care, regardless of the presence of visible indications of a facility at the proposed excavation or demolition area, such as a pole, marker, pedestal, meter, or valve. Specifies that a facility is not  properly located if the marks are placed outside of the tolerance zone of the existing facility's actual location.

Section 21

Extends the expiration date of Section 5.17 of SL 2021-180’s specifications on design-building contracts using certain federal funds by two years, from December 31, 2025, to December 31, 2027. Makes conforming changes.

Section 22

Effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2025, amends GS 105-369(c) to require a tax collector, in addition to other advertisements required by the statute, to also advertise a tax lien by posting notice of the lien a conspicuous manner at the parcel to be advertised. Makes conforming changes.

Section 23

Adds new Part 6 to Article 9 of GS Chapter 160D, pertaining to unmanned aircraft traffic control devices, as follows.

Allows a local government to plan for and regulate the siting, installation, modification, maintenance, and removal of advanced air mobility radar for traffic control of unmanned aircraft systems flown in accordance with Article 10 of GS Chapter 63.  Specifies that new Part 6 does not amend, modify, or otherwise affect any easement between private parties. Directs that any and all rights for the use of a right-of-way are subject to the rights granted pursuant to an easement between private parties.  Allows a local government to require a permit applicant to remove abandoned advanced air mobility radar within 180 days of abandonment. If not timely removed, allows the local government to remove the abandoned advanced air mobility radar and may recover the actual cost of such  removal, including legal fees, if any, from the permit applicant. Clarifies that nothing in Part 6 should be construed to limit the provisions or requirements of any historic district or landmark regulation adopted under GS Chapter 160D. Defines terms. Sets forth three requirements for a permit applicant proposing to construct advanced air mobility radar within the  planning and development regulation jurisdiction of a local government, including complying with all development regulations. Prevents local governments from assessing a fee for the application for, or the installation and use of, advanced air mobility radar provided the advanced air mobility radar is installed and operated in compliance with the standards and requirements set forth in new Part 6. Sets forth three things that the local government may review in considering an application, including information or materials directly related to an identified public safety or development regulation. Requires the local government to make a determination on the application within thirty days after the completed application is received. Allows the local government to condition approval for a new enhanced air mobility radar on any of five listed things including, the provision of a collocation agreement if collocation is deemed feasible (if not included in the application) and the applicant obtaining an FCC operator license for any spectrum band required for the installation.

Allows a local government to agree to collocation on property owned by the local government, subject to any existing easements or lease agreements. Directs that GS 160A-321 (governing sales or leases of city owned enterprises) does not apply to the lease of any city-owned water tower for collocation of advanced air mobility radar. Directs that within 30 days of receipt of a request for collocation, a local government must either  initiate lease or disposal of the collocation property or deny the request. A request for collocation may be denied only for the following reasons: (1) there is insufficient capacity; (2) reasons of safety, reliability, and generally applicable engineering principles, and those limitations cannot be remedied by rearranging, expanding, or otherwise reengineering the eligible facilities at the reasonable and actual cost of the local government to be reimbursed by the permit applicant; and (3) the terms of property ownership prohibit collocation.

Effective October 1, 2024.

Section 24

Adds new GS 75-44 (governing ticket price transparency), requiring a secondary ticket exchange, ticket issuer, or reseller to meet four listed  requirements when listing a ticket for sale or resale, including that the listing clearly and conspicuously disclose the total price of the ticket, including all mandatory fees and the maximum order processing fee, that the total price of the ticket initially displayed at the beginning of a ticketing session not be increased during that ticketing session, except by the addition of the charges permitted under GS 75-44 (i.e., actual delivery charges of a non-electronic ticket, government taxes or fees, and a reasonable processing fee). Specifies that a violation of GS 75-44 is an unfair trade practice and is subject to all of the investigative, enforcement, and penalty provisions of an unfair trade practice. Defines seven terms.  Effective January 1, 2025, and applies to tickets listed for sale or resale on or after that date.

Section 25

Amends Section 111.1(l) of the Charter of Winston-Salem (SL 2023-112) to change the filing deadline for a member of the classified service who wants a hearing from 1,030 days to ten days after learning of the action or omission of  which the member complains, but not before the member has exhausted all remedies provided by the grievance procedures established by ordinance or policy of the city. Requires the grievance procedure to be concluded within 30 days.

Section 26

Amends GS 153A-284 (a county’s power to require water or sewer line connections) so that a county may only require connection of an owner’s premises to a sewer line if the county has adequate capacity to transport and treat the proposed new wastewater from the premises at the time of connection.

Section 27

Amends GS 130A-309.204 (reports on coal ash management) to change DEQ’s reporting requirements to the Environmental Review Commission from quarterly to annually, by no later than October 1. Allows DEQ to combine this report with its report to the NCGA.

Section 28

Adds new GS 143B-279.20, requiring DEQ to report on any applications received for permits required for siting or operation of natural gas pipelines and gas-fired electric generation facilities within the State, and activities of the DEQ to process such applications, including  tracking of processing times (including total processing from when the initial/complete application is received to issuance or denial of the permit). Effective when this section becomes law and applies to applications for permits for natural gas pipelines and gas-fired electric generation facilities pending on or received on or after that date. Requires first initial report by no later than October 1, 2024.

Section 29

Amends the reporting provisions of the Stormwater Infrastructure Funds under Section 12.14 of SL 2021-180 so that DEQ’s annual reports are due by November 1 each year. Adds the Environmental Review Commission as a report recipient. Directs that the required reports should be submitted with reports required under GS 159G-26 and GS 159G-72 as a single report.

Section 30

Amends GS 77-98 (reporting requirements for the Roanoke River Basin BI-State Commission) and GS 77-117 (reporting requirements for the River Basin Advisory Commission) so that the report is only submitted on years when the commission(s) meets. 

Section 31

Repeals GS 108A-27.10(b), requiring the Director of the Budget report to the NCGA the number of permanent State employees who have been Work First Program Recipients during the previous calendar year.

Section 32

Repeals Section 2 of SL 2015-280, requiring entities, other than community colleges, receiving proceeds of public improvement bonds and notes, to make quarterly reports to the specified NCGA committees.

Section 33

Contains a severability clause. 

House committee substitute changes the act's titles and replaces the content of the 4th edition with the following.

Part I.

Amends the purposes set forth in GS 7B-100 that are applicable to Subchapter I of GS Chapter 7B, governing abuse, neglect, dependency and termination of parental rights proceedings. Now states as a purpose of the Subchapter that when it is not in the best interest of the juvenile to be returned home, the juvenile will be placed in a safe, permanent home within one year from the date of the initial order removing custody (was, within a reasonable amount of time).

Expands the definitions of abused juveniles and neglected juvenile provided in GS 7B-101. Now includes any juvenile less than 18 who is found to be a victim of unlawful sale, surrender, or purchase of a minor under GS 14-43.14 (previously, included in the list of offenses that if committed by a parent, guardian, custodian, or caretaker of a juvenile under 18, deemed the juvenile an abused juvenile). Changes the statutory violations listed for which a parent, guardian, custodian, or caretaker of a juvenile under 18, the commission of which deems the juvenile abused pursuant to the definition of an abused juvenile. Now includes sexually violent offenses as defined in GS 14-208.6(5), applicable to the Sex Offender and Public Protection Registration Programs (replacing individually listed GS Chapter 14 sexual offenses previously listed). Now deems a neglected juvenile any juvenile less than 18 whose parent, guardian, custodian, or caretaker uses an illegal substance, abuses alcohol, or illegally uses a controlled substance and is unable to care for and provide a safe and appropriate home for the juvenile, or (2) uses an illegal substance, abuses alcohol, or illegally uses a controlled substance while a child is in utero.

Expands the available grounds for obtaining nonsecure custody of a juvenile alleged to be abused, neglected or dependent which are set forth in GS 7B-503. Now allows for a court to order nonsecure custody if the juvenile is an infant born exposed to alcohol, illegal substances, or illegally used controlled substances. However, the parent's use cannot be the sole ground for a nonsecure custody order if the parent is enrolled in and meeting or exceeding benchmarks of a substance abuse treatment program recommended by a medical provider or a LME/MCO. Adds a new requirement that the court must consider the developmental and attachment needs of the juvenile when making nonsecure custody determinations. 

Amends GS 7B-505, adding the juvenile's next of kin to the relatives and other persons with custody of any siblings of the juvenile which the department of social services (dss) must identify and notify within 30 days of the initial nonsecure custody order. Adds a new requirement that the court must consider the developmental and attachment needs of the juvenile in determining whether placement with an identified relative while in nonsecure custody would be contrary to the best interest of the juvenile.

Modifies the aggravating circumstances which require a court to direct, in the initial dispositional order, that dss is not required to make reasonable efforts for reunification of the juvenile under GS 7B-901(c). Regarding a court's determination of a parent's commission or encouragement of the commission of, or allowance of the continuation of, chronic or toxic exposure to alcohol, illegal substances, or controlled substances in violation of the law, now specifically states that in utero exposure to alcohol, illegal substance, or controlled substances in violation of the law is included. Directs the court to consider the parent's enrollment in and meeting or exceeding the benchmarks of a substance abuse treatment program recommended by medical provider or LME/MCO.

Amends GS 7B-903, which lists dispositional alternatives the court may order following the adjudication of a juvenile as abused, neglected or dependent, to require the court to consider the developmental and attachment needs of the juvenile when determining whether placement with a relative would be contrary to the best interest of the juvenile. Limited to the provisions of GS 7B-903 only, deems a foster parent to be nonrelative kin of the juvenile once the juvenile has resided in the home of the foster parent for a continuous period of at least nine months, so long as the juvenile is not a member of a State-recognized tribe.

Amends GS 7B-903.1(c) regarding required observation visits with the juvenile and the parent, guardian, custodian, or caretaker from whom the juvenile was removed, to specify that dss can recommend unsupervised visits or return of physical custody of the juvenile, whichever occurs first.

Regarding whether hearings which follow the initial dispositional hearing are designated review hearings or permanency planning hearings, amends GS 7B-906.1 to designate hearings for a juvenile who was residing with a caretaker at the time the abuse, neglect or dependency petition was filed as a permanency planning hearing (previously, review hearings were held for a juvenile that was not removed from a caretaker). Amends the required relevant findings the court must make at each review and permanency planning hearing under GS 7B-906.1 as follows. Removes the exception for hearings noticed and heard as permanency planning hearings from the requirement that the court schedule a permanency planning hearing within 30 days of a review hearing in which a juvenile is removed from the custody of a parent, guardian, or custodian. If relevant, requires the court to make written findings regarding whether reunification would be unsuccessful or inconsistent with the juvenile's health or safety and need for a safe, permanency home within one year from the date the initial order removing custody was entered (was, within a reasonable period of time). Adds that this finding must also address whether the parent has engaged in any of the factors described in GS 7B-901(c) which require that the court direct that reunification efforts are not required at initial disposition. Limits the court's authority to maintain or order a different placement, appoint a guardian of the person, or order any dispositional alternative under subsection (i) to permanency planning hearings. Specifies that visitation requirements under GS 7B-903.1 apply when the court orders custody or placement to dss, in addition to instances in which the court continues custody or placement with dss, under subsection (l). Limits the authority of the court to waive future hearings, subject to making five required findings, to permanency planning hearings only. Eliminates "cogent" from the evidentiary standard required for the court's findings to waive future permanency planning hearings, hold the hearings less often than required, or require written reports in lieu of hearings. Changes the five required findings for waiver under subsection (n) as follows. As an alternative to a finding that the juvenile has resided in the placement for at least one year, allowing for the parties to agree and the court to enter a consent order (was, that the juvenile has resided in the placement for at least six consecutive months and the court enters a consent order). Requires that all parties are aware that the matter can be brought before the court for review at any time by filing a permanency planning or modification motion (was, a motion for review) or on the court's own motion. Makes technical changes. 

Modifies the criteria for standing to petition or motion to terminate the parental rights (TPR) of a parent under GS 7B-1103(a) to include any person with whom the juvenile has resided for a continuous period of 15 months (was, 18 months) or more next preceding the filing.

Amends GS 7B-1109 to specify that the evidentiary standard to adjudicate a TPR ground is clear and convincing evidence (was, clear, cogent and convincing).

Amends the grounds upon which a parent's rights may be terminated under GS 7B-1111(a) to include that the parent has willfully left the juvenile in foster care or placement outside of the home for more than nine months (was, 12 months) without showing reasonable progress under the circumstances in correcting the conditions which led to the juvenile's removal.

Effective October 1, 2024, and applies to TPR petitions and motions filed on or after that date.

Part II.

Immediately stays the Regional Abuse and Medical Specialist (RAMS) program staffed within the NC Child Medical Evaluation Program (NC CMEP), pending compliance with three objectives, which include establishing program rules pursuant to GS Chapter 150A, amendment and federal approval of any State plan, and federal approval of RAMS program rules. Requires modification of any contracts or memorandums of understanding between the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and the UNC School of Medicine to comply with the act. 

Directs the Social Services Commission (Commission) to adopt rules to implement the RAMS program and lists 10 required components, including limiting the RAMS team focus to screened-in cases meeting specified criteria, requiring the county dss director to decide issues where there is a disagreement between the local social services worker and the RAMS team, and establishing the frequency in which the RAMS team member and the social worker supervisor must meet during the family or investigative assessment period. Within 30 days of the completion of the rulemaking process, requires the DHHS Secretary (Secretary) or their designee to submit the proposed rules and any proposed changes to the State plan to the US Secretary of Health and Human Services (US Secretary) or their designee. Requires the Commission to initiate the rulemaking process within 30 days of the date the act becomes effective. Prohibits any rule, statute or plan amendment which the US Secretary determines would negatively impact federal funding to the State from becoming effective. Requires the Secretary or their designee to notify the Commission and the Rules Review Commission of the US Secretary's determinations within five days of receipt. 

Directs the Division to annually report to the specified NCGA committees and chairs beginning September 1, 2024, on the hiring, training, and oversight of the RAMS program and the rulemaking process. Requires all reports provided to the federal government relevant to the RAMS program to be simultaneously provided to the specified NCGA committees and chairs. 

Details the effective dates for rules adopted pursuant to the act, based on whether approval of the US Secretary is required or State plan amendments are necessary because of the proposed rules. Requires the Secretary to report to the Revisor applicable effective dates once known.

Part III.

Enacts GS 143B-138.1A, establishing a private cause of action against DHHS for any individual who experiences a loss or harm due to the Secretary or their designee taking any action or causing any action to be taken against an individual through a program created, administered, supervised, or funded by DHHS that is operating without going through the required rulemaking process. Provides for the prevailing individual to recover litigation costs. Applies to actions taken by DHHS on or after October 1, 2024.

Part IV.

Effective March 1, 2025, amends GS 108-9, GS 108A-15.8, and GS 153A-77 to require members of county boards of social services, regional boards of social services, and consolidated human services board members to attend education and training sessions provided for new board members during their first year of service. Directs the Division of Social Services (applicable to county and regional boards) and the Divisions of Social Services, Public Health, and Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services (applicable to consolidated boards) to collaborate with specified stakeholders to create formal education and training sessions required of new board members, including a segment on the potential liabilities of the applicable board, with sessions available statewide by March 1, 2025. Requires all board members to have participated in the sessions by March 1, 2027.

Part V.

Directs the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) to conduct a feasibility and cost study of a proposed child support tribunal in which dedicate court officers would hear child support matter using quasi-judicial procedures. Details required considerations of the study. Requires AOC to submit its findings and recommendations to the specified NCGA committee by May 1, 2025.

Part VI.

Enacts GS 108A-15.16 to require county and regional departments of social services and consolidated human services agencies to expeditiously work to resolve conflicts of interest pursuant to applicable law and DHHS policies and procedures. Describes three instances which qualify as a conflict of interest, including when the department or agency cannot manage adverse interests of two individuals to whom the office owes a duty to serve. Requires DHHS policies and procedures to address financial and practice responsibilities associated with conflicts of interest. Provides for offices to contact DHHS when a conflict arises and grants DHHS final authority regarding conflicts of interest assignments when a dispute arises, with regional and central offices having initial authority as specified. Directs the Social Services Commission to adopt rules regarding conflicts of interest management that address described required components within 30 days of the date the act becomes law.

Directs the Social Services Commission to report to the specified NCGA committee within 30 days of adopting the rules addressing conflicts of interest.

Part VII.

Directs the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee (Committee) on Health and Human Services to study, evaluate, and make recommendations on five described proposals regarding foster children, foster families, and kinship providers. Further directs the committee to: (1) work with DHHS and county boards to create uniform standards regarding child welfare matters; (2) make recommendations from information updated provided by DHHS on the Child Welfare and Family Well-being Transformation Team; (3) work with the Supreme Court Chief Justice regarding improvements to child welfare cases, obtain updates from the Task Force of Adverse Childhood Experience Informed Courts, and make recommendations based on the information provided; (4) work with DHHS regarding the working group working to identify innovative Medicaid services to fill gaps in care for foster children and the development of the trauma-informed standardized assessment for foster cases, and make recommendations based thereon; and (5) any other issues the committee deems appropriate for the improvement of the child welfare system. Directs the Committee to report to the 2025 NCGA prior to its convening.

House amendment to the 4th edition changes amends the effective date of Part III so that the changes to GS 105-275 (property classified and excluded from the tax base) are effective for taxes imposed for taxable years beginning or after July 1, 2025. The remainder of Part III is effective when it becomes law.

Part I. 

Appoints the specified persons to the following boards and commissions upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore, effective on the specified date, with terms expiring as provided: North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching Board of Trustees, Umstead Act of Unfair Competition Panel, Rural Infrastructure Authority, Board of Trustees of the State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees, Education Commission of the States, North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Fee-Based Practicing Pastoral Counselors, North Carolina Interpreter and Transliterator Licensing Board, North Carolina Parks and Recreation Authority, North Carolina Irrigation Contractors' Licensing Board, North Carolina Manufactured Housing Board, Well Contractors Certification Commission, North Carolina Respiratory Care Board, Disciplinary Hearing Commission of the North Carolina State Bar, Private Protective Services Board, North Carolina State Banking Commission, North Carolina Medical Board, North Carolina Board of Athletic Trainer Examiners, Acupuncture Licensing Board, North Carolina Agricultural Finance Authority, North Carolina Appraisal Board, African American Heritage Commission, North Carolina Behavior Analysis Board, North Carolina Land and Water Fund Board of Trustees, North Carolina Board of Dietetics/Nutrition, North Carolina Education and Workforce Innovation Commission, North Carolina State Building Commission, Ferry Transportation Authority Board of Trustees, North Carolina Landscape Contractors' Licensing Board, Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services, North Carolina On-Site Wastewater Contractors and Inspectors Certification Board, Commission on Indigent Defense Services, Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission, North Carolina Arboretum Board of Directors, North Carolina Capital Facilities Finance Agency Board of Directors, 911 Board, State Ethics Commission, North Carolina Board of Nursing, North Carolina Child Care Commission, North Carolina State Water Infrastructure Authority, Rules Review Committee, North Carolina State Ports Authority, Domestic Violence Commission, North Carolina Residential Code Council, North Carolina Building Code Council, North Carolina Locksmith Licensing Board, Board of Directors of the UNC Health Care System, North Carolina Criminal Justice Information Network Governing Board, Special Superior Court Judge, NCInnovation, North Carolina State Commission for Public Health, North Carolina Board of Barbers and Electrolysis Examiners, License to Give Trust Fund Commission, North Carolina Code Officials Qualification Board, North Carolina Addictions Specialists Professional Practice Board, North Carolina Mining Commission, North Carolina Housing Partnership, Alamance Community College Board of Trustees, Bladen Community College Board of Trustees, Brunswick Community College Board of Trustees, Carteret Community College Board of Trustees, Central Piedmont Community College Board of Trustees, Cleveland Community College Board of Trustees, Coastal Carolina Community College Board of Trustees, Craven Community College Board of Trustees, Edgecombe Community College Board of Trustees, Fayetteville Technical Community College Board of Trustees, Guilford Technical Community College Board of Trustees, Haywood Community College Board of Trustees, James Sprunt Community College Board of Trustees, Johnston Community College Board of Trustees, McDowell Community College Board of Trustees, Mitchell Community College Board of Trustees, Montgomery Community College Board of Trustees, Nash Community College Board of Trustees, Pamlico Community College Board of Trustees, Pitt Community College Board of Trustees, Randolph Community College Board of Trustees, Robeson Community College Board of Trustees, Rockingham Community College Board of Trustees, Sampson Community College Board of Trustees, Southeastern Community College Board of Trustees, Stanly Community College Board of Trustees, Wake Technical Community College Board of Trustees, Wayne Community College Board of Trustees, Western Piedmont Community College Board of Trustees, Wilson Community College Board of Trustees, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Board of Trustees, Blue Ridge Community College Board of Trustees, Caldwell Community College Board of Trustees, Cape Fear Community College Board of Trustees, Catawba Community College Board of Trustees, Davidson-Davie Community College Board of Trustees, Durham Technical Community College Board of Trustees, Forsyth Community College Board of Trustees, Gaston College Board of Trustees, Halifax Community College Board of Trustees, Isothermal Community College Board of Trustees, Martin Community College Board of Trustees, Piedmont Community College Board of Trustees, Richmond Community College Board of Trustees, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Board of Trustees, Sandhills Community College Board of Trustees, South Piedmont Community College Board of Trustees, Surry Community College Board of Trustees, Central Carolina Community College Board of Trustees, Lenoir Community College Board of Trustees, Mayland Community College Board of Trustees, Roanoke-Chowan Community College Board of Trustees, Southwestern Community College Board of Trustees, Tri-County Community College Board of Trustees, Wilkes Community College Board of Trustees, College of The Albemarle Board of Trustees, and Vance-Granville Community College Board of Trustees.

Part II. 

Appoints the specified persons to the following boards and commissions upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House, effective on the specified date, with terms expiring as provided: Alamance Community College Board of Trustees, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College Board of Trustees, Beaufort County Community College Board of Trustees, Bladen Community College Board of Trustees, Brunswick Community College Board of Trustees, Cape Fear Community College Board of Trustees, Carteret Community College Board of Trustees, Catawba Valley Community College Board of Trustees, Central Carolina Community College Board of Trustees, Central Piedmont Community College Board of Trustees, Cleveland Community College Board of Trustees, Coastal Carolina Community College Board of Trustees, College of The Albemarle Board of Trustees, Craven Community College Board of Trustees, Davidson-Davie Community College Board of Trustees, Durham Technical Community College Board of Trustees, Edgecombe Community College Board of Trustees, Fayetteville Technical Community College Board of Trustees, Forsyth Technical Community College Board of Trustees, Gaston College Board of Trustees, Guilford Technical Community College Board of Trustees, Haywood Community College Board of Trustees, Isothermal Community College Board of Trustees, James Sprunt Community College Board of Trustees, Johnston Community College Board of Trustees, Lenoir Community College Board of Trustees, Martin Community College Board of Trustees, Mayland Community College Board of Trustees, McDowell Technical Community College Board of Trustees, Mitchell Community College Board of Trustees, Montgomery Community College Board of Trustees, Nash Community College Board of Trustees, Pamlico Community College Board of Trustees, Piedmont Community College Board of Trustees, Pitt Community College Board of Trustees, Randolph Community College Board of Trustees, Richmond Community College Board of Trustees, Roanoke-Chowan Community College Board of Trustees, Robeson Community College Board of Trustees, Rockingham Community College Board of Trustees, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Board of Trustees, Sampson Community College Board of Trustees, Sandhills Community College Board of Trustees, South Piedmont Community College Board of Trustees, Southeastern Community College Board of Trustees, Southwestern Community College Board of Trustees, Stanly Community College Board of Trustees, Surry Community College Board of Trustees, Tri-County Community College Board of Trustees, Vance-Granville Community College Board of Trustees, Wake Technical Community College Board of Trustees, Wayne Community College Board of Trustees, Western Piedmont Community College Board of Trustees, Wilkes Community College Board of Trustees, Wilson Community College Board of Trustees, Western Carolina University Board of Trustees, Special Superior Court Judge, African-American Heritage Commission, North Carolina Addictions Specialist Professional Practice Board, North Carolina Agricultural Finance Committee, Alarm Systems Licensing Board, North Carolina Behavior Analysis Board, State Building Commission, Centennial Authority, North Carolina Child Care Commission, North Carolina Code Officials Qualification Board, North Carolina Board of Cosmetic Art Examiners, North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission, North Carolina Board of Dietetics and Nutrition, Disciplinary Hearing Commission of the North Carolina State Bar, Dispute Resolution Committee, Economic Investment Committee, State Ethics Commission, North Carolina Board of Examiners of Fee-Based Practicing Pastoral Counselors, Ferry Transportation Authority, North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, North Carolina Housing Partnership, North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs, Commission of Indigent Defense Services, Information Technology Strategy Board, North Carolina Irrigation Contractors' Licensing Board, Landscape Contractors' Licensing Board, License to Give Trust Fund Commission, North Carolina Locksmith Licensing Board, North Carolina Manufactured Housing Board, North Carolina Board of Massage and Bodywork Therapy, North Carolina Medical Board, Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services, 911 Board, North Carolina On-Site Wastewater Contractors and Inspectors Certification Board, North Carolina Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission, North Carolina Parks and Recreation Authority, North Carolina State Ports Authority, North Carolina Professional Educator and Standards Commission, North Carolina Respiratory Care Board, Roanoke Island Historical Association, Rules Review Commission, Rural Infrastructure Authority, North Carolina Sheriffs' Education and Training Standards Commission, North Carolina Land and Water Fund, Board of Trustees of the State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees, State Water Infrastructure Authority, North Carolina Turnpike Authority, University of North Carolina Health Care System Board of Directors, Virginia-North Carolina High-Speed Rail Compact, Well Contractors Certification Commission, Brain Injury Advisory Council, and Residential Code Council.