GS 93B-8.1 governs the use of criminal history records by state agency and occupational licensing boards. A board may not deny an applicant based on a determination that the person has been convicted of a crime of “moral turpitude,” nor may a board automatically deny an applicant based on their criminal record, unless required to do so under federal law. A board can only deny licensure based on a criminal conviction “only if the board finds that the criminal conviction history is directly related to the duties and responsibilities for the licensed occupation or the conviction is for a crime that is violent or sexual in nature.” 

Amends GS 93B-8.1 by adding newly defined term, deny licensure or denies licensure, meaning to refuse to issue a license to an applicant, to refuse to renew the license of a licensee, or to revoke the license of a licensee. Also amends the definition of criminal history record to no longer require that the crime bear upon an applicant's or licensee's fitness to be licensed or disciplined.

Amends the following occupational licensing statutes to remove language that refers to denial of licensure based on a crime of moral turpitude and makes conforming changes to account for requirements of GS 93B-8.1B in rejecting an applicant for criminal history, if the statute covers rejection: GS 53-244.050 (registration application requirements for persons wanting to engage in the mortgage business or act as a mortgage loan originator); GS 53-244.060 (grounds for rejection of license or registration for persons wanting to engage in the mortgage business or act as a mortgage loan originator); GS 58-33-46 (insurance producers: suspension, probation, revocation, or nonrenewal of licenses); GS 58-58-215 (viatical settlement providers or brokers: license revocation or denial); GS 58-71-80 (bail bondsmen and runners: grounds for denial, suspension, probation, revocation, or nonrenewal of licenses); GS 143-151.56 (home inspector/inspections licenses: suspension, revocation, and refusal to renew license); GS 66-234 membership camping operators: registration requirements); GS 66-237 (salespersons of membership operating contracts: registration requirements); GS 74D-2 (Alarm Systems Licensing Act: license requirements); GS 74D-10 (Alarm Systems Licensing Board: appeals of suspension or revocation of licenses or registrations); GS 85B-3.2(auctioneer, apprentice auctioneer, or auction firm: criminal history record checks of licensure applicants); GS 85B-4 (license for auctioneer, apprentice auctioneer, or auction firm); GS 85B-8 (auctioneer, apprentice auctioneer, or auction firm: grounds for civil penalty, denial, suspension, or revocation of license); GS 89C-21 (disciplinary action by the Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors); GS 90-14 (disciplinary authority of the Medical Board); GS 90-41 (dentists: disciplinary action); GS 90-229 (dental hygienists: disciplinary measures); GS 90A-64 (Board of Environmental Health Examiners: suspensions and revocations of certificates); GS 90-113.44 (substance use disorder specialists: grounds for disciplinary action); GS 90-121.2 (Board of Examiners in Optometry: rules, discipline, suspension, revocation and regrant of certificate); GS 90-154 (Board of Chiropractic Examiners: grounds for professional discipline); GS 90-187.8 (Veterinary Medical Board: discipline of licensees); GS 90-202.8 (Board of Podiatry Examiners: revocation or suspension of certificate); GS 90-210.25 (Board of Funeral Service: licensing and permitting); GS 90-210.69 (Board of Funeral Service: enforcement of Article 13D of GS Chapter 90); GS 90-210.123 (Board of Funeral Service: licensing and inspection); GS 90-249.1 (Board of Opticians: disciplinary actions); GS 90-270.60 (Marriage and Family Therapy Licensure Board: discipline, including denial, revocation or suspension of license); GS 90-270.76 (Board of Occupational Therapy: suspension, revocation, and refusal to renew license); GS 90-270.103 (Board of Physical Therapy Examiners: grounds for disciplinary action); GS 90-270.148 (Psychology Board: disciplinary and remedial actions); GS 90-340 (Board of Licensed Mental Health Counselors: protection of the public); GS 90-363 (Board of Dietetics/Nutrition: suspension, revocation, and refusal to renew license); GS 90-390 (Board of Examiners of Fee-Based Pastoral Counselors: refusal, suspension, or revocation of certificate); GS 90-633 (Board of Massage and Body Work Therapy: disciplinary action); GS 90-659 (Respiratory Care Board: suspension, revocation, and refusal to renew a license); GS-742 (Behavior Analysis Board: denial, suspension, relinquishment, or revocation of licenses and other disciplinary and remedial actions); GS 90B-11 (Social Work Certification and Licensure Board: disciplinary procedure); GS 93A-6 (Real Estate Commission: disciplinary action); GS 93A-38 (Real Estate Commission: suspension, revocation, or denial of certification); GS 93A-54 (Real Estate Commission: disciplinary action under the NC Timeshare Act); GS 93D-13 (Hearing Aid Dealers and Fitters Board: discipline, suspension, revocation licenses and registrations); GS 93E-1-12 (Real Estate Appraisal Board: disciplinary action); GS 106-65.26 (Pest Control Applicators, Structural Pest Control Committee, Department of Agriculture: qualifications for certified applicator and licensee); and GS 106-610 (Grain dealers, Department of Agriculture: grounds for refusal, suspension, or revocation of license). 

Amends GS 20-294 by expanding the grounds for suspending motor vehicle dealer and manufacturer licenses to include convictions under GS 14-160.4 and GS 20-79.2 while removing GS 20-107; removes felonies involving moral turpitude. Makes conforming changes to GS 20-79.2. 

Removes requirement that applicant for Athlete Agents share whether they have been convicted of a crime of moral turpitude and instead requires the applicant to share whether they have been convicted of any misdemeanor involving theft, fraud, or dishonesty or any felony in submitting an application under GS 78C-89. Makes conforming changes under GS 78C-90 (issuance, denial or renewal of applications for Athlete Agents by Secretary of State). 

Removes reference to crime of moral turpitude as grounds for denial of licensure and specifies that GS 74D-6 (pertaining to the denial of a license or registration by the Alarms System Licensing Board) is subject to the requirements of GS 98B-8.1 and the other hearings requirement of the APA. 

Amends GS 83A-15 to remove reference to the Board of Architecture and Interior Designers’ power to deny a license or certificate of registration of an architect as well as references to crimes of moral turpitude as grounds constituting unprofessional conduct warranting in imposition of action against license, reprimand or civil penalty. 

Removes reference to conviction of crime of moral turpitude in GS 87-47 as grounds for disciplinary action for persons subject to the requirements of the State Board of Examiners of Electrical Contractors and Surveyors and replaces that ground with conviction of a crime that is violent or sexual in nature.  

Amends GS 90-30 (pertaining to examination and licensing of applicants before the Board of Dental examiners) to (1) allow for clinical examinations either on live persons or an approved alternative method, including manikins that simulate human subjects (currently, just live persons) and (2) removes power of the dental board to refuse to grant a license to any person found guilty of a crime of moral turpitude, or gross immortality, or to any person addicted to the use of alcoholic liquors or narcotic drugs to such an extent, as, in the Board’s opinion, would render them unfit to practice dentistry.   

Amends GS 90-102.1 as follows. Removes reference to crime of moral turpitude as relevant to registration as a dog handler with limited use of controlled substances with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and clarifies that DHHS or the Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services can deny, suspend, or revoke a registration issued under GS 90-102.1 so long as it complies with the requirements of GS 98B-8.1, the other hearings requirement of the APA, and the other statutory requirements. 

Amends GS 93B-1, which contains the definitions for GS Chapter 93B (Occupational Licensing Boards) by amending the professions for which the Department of Public Safety may issue licenses by allowing: (1) the Private Protective Services Board to issue licenses for Armored Car Service, Close Personal Protection, Courier Service, Digital Forensics Examiner, Electronic Countermeasures, and Special Limited Guard and Patrol (also removes Counter Intelligence licenses) and (2) the Alarm Systems Licensing Board to issue licenses for alarm systems business. Makes technical changes.  

Makes technical, organizational, conforming, and clarifying changes. Makes language gender neutral and removes outdated language. 

Effective October 1, 2025. 

Part I

Titles the act “The Disaster Recovery Act of 7 2025 – Part I.” Declares act’s intent that its appropriations and allocations are for maximum amounts necessary. Directs that savings must be effected where the total amounts appropriated or allocated are not required to implement the act. Defines affected area as the counties designated before, on, or after the effective date of the act under a major disaster declaration by the President of the United States under the Stafford Act (PL 93-288) as a result of Hurricane Helene. Also defines Helene Fund (the Hurricane Helene Disaster Recovery Fund established in Section 4.1 of SL 2024-51), and SERDF (the State Emergency Response and Disaster Relief Fund established in GS 166A-19.42). Specifies that Part II applies to North Carolina counties in the affected area, unless otherwise provided.

Part II

Directs the State Controller to transfer $500 million from SERDF to the Helene Fund.

Specifies that nothing in GS 14-326.1 (creating misdemeanor offenses for certain persons who fail to support their parents) should be construed as requiring a person to be liable or otherwise responsible for a debt contracted for or otherwise incurred by the person’s parent or parents. Makes organizational changes.  

Adds new GS 14-34.7A, making assault or battery on a public safety officer, law enforcement agency animal, or search and rescue animal by throwing, spraying, or otherwise projecting water or other substances a Class I felony offense, as follows. Directs that a person is liable under the statute when, unless covered under some other provision of law providing greater punishment, the person commits an assault or battery on either of the following by throwing, spraying, or otherwise projecting, or causing to be thrown, sprayed, or otherwise projected, water or any other substance at:

1. A public safety officer (i) while the public safety officer is discharging or attempting to discharge his or her official duties or (ii) because of the victim's status as a public safety officer.
2. A law enforcement agency animal or a search and rescue animal (i) while the animal is in the performance of its duty or (ii) because of the animal's status as a law enforcement agency animal or search and rescue animal.

Defines public safety officer to include any of ten listed officers, including a law enforcement officer, school employees or volunteers as defined in GS 143B-805, members of the NC National Guard or US military, firefighters, rescue squad workers, or emergency medical services personnel. Also defines law enforcement agency animal and search and rescue animal.

Incorporates new definition of public safety officer into GS 14-34.8 (criminal uses of laser device), GS 14-32 (felonious assault with deadly weapon with intent to kill or inflict serious injury), GS 14-34.5 (assault with a firearm on a public safety officer), GS 14-34.7 (assault or affray on a public safety officer), and GS 14-69.3 (arson resulting in serious injury to a public safety officer). Makes conforming changes. 

Expands the grounds for culpability under: (1) GS 14-34.8 (criminal use of a laser device) and (2) GS 14-34.5 (assault with a firearm on public safety officer) to include instances where the conduct is engaged in because of a person’s status as a public safety officer or an animal’s status as a law enforcement agency animal or search and rescue animal (GS 14-34.8 only).

Clarifies that a person can only be punished under GS 14-32 (assault of a public safety officer) if no other provision of law applies providing a greater punishment.  

Expands the grounds for culpability under GS 14-34.7 (assault or affray on a public safety officer) to include instances where the conduct is engaged in because of a person’s status as a public safety officer. Expands the illegal conduct covered by the statute to include affray.

Expands the grounds for culpability under GS 14-69.3 (arson resulting in serious injury to a public safety officer or fire investigator) to include instances where the conduct is engaged in because of a person’s status as a public safety officer or fire investigator. Clarifies that a person can only be punished under the statute if no other provision of law applies providing a greater punishment. Makes conforming changes.

Expands the grounds for culpability under: (1) GS 14-33(c)(4) (assault on State officers or employees [including officers and employees of political subdivisions of the State]) and (2) GS 14-34.2 (assaults with a firearm/other deadly weapon upon governmental officers or employees or a company or campus police officer) to include assaults that occur because of the victim’s status as described in the statute. 

Repeals GS 14-34.6 (assault or affray on a firefighter, an emergency medical technician, medical responder, and medical practice and hospital personnel). Makes conforming changes to GS 15A-266.3A(f)(4)(concerning DNA samples and required DNA analyses upon arrest for certain offenses) and GS 131E-88.3(a) (concerning AOC’s annual reporting to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Service Regulation).

Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2025. 

Appropriates $125,000 in recurring funds for each year of the 2025-27 biennium from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services (Department), Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services, to be allocated as a grant to the NC Association of People Supporting Employment First (NC APSE) to develop and implement training programs for the Department, including online training modules, on the provision of evidence-based supported employment services for individuals in targeted populations, in order to assist these individuals with preparation for, identification of, and  maintenance of integrated, paid, competitive employment. The Department is to make these training programs available throughout the state to (1) employers that have hired or are willing to hire individuals in targeted populations, (2) service providers of local management entities/managed care organizations, and (3) any other entity the Department determines will benefit from receiving this training. Defines individuals in targeted populations. Effective July 1, 2025.

Requires each local board of education, by no later than August 15, 2025, and annually thereafter to publish and maintain listed information for each central office employee (defined) under GS 15-115C-320 (publication and inspection of certain records) including: (1) total compensation for each central office employee from all funding sources including at least salary, salary supplements and bonuses, reimbursements and allowances; (2) position title and description (including the date the employee’s position was created and department where the position is located) for each central office employee; (3) the title of each central office employee position in the local school administrative unit and the number of positions associated with that title; and (4) for each department, unit, or office of the local school administrative unit, the number of central office employees located in that department, unit, or office along with the number of central office employees for each position title. Expands the type of information a local board of education has to maintaining for its employees to include current compensation (currently current salary), including salary supplements, bonuses, reimbursements and allowances. Makes technical and conforming changes.  

Allows persons with an income for the preceding calendar year of not more than 80% of the applicable area median income (defined) for a household of two persons in the county in which the property is so long as the owner has owned and occupied the property as a permanent residence for the previous 15 consecutive years as an additional income ground for eligibility for the elderly or disabled property tax homestead exemption under GS 105-277.1. Increases the income eligibility limit from $25,000 to $48,000 starting in the taxable year beginning July 1, 2026. Makes conforming changes to account for new income grounds and year of income eligibility increase. Makes technical changes. Effective for taxable years beginning on or after July 1, 2026.