Senate committee substitute makes the following changes to 2nd edition. Deletes the provisions of the 2nd edition and replaces them with AN ACT ALLOWING REGISTERED SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS TO ARRANGE FOR THE VOLUNTARY PROVISION OF HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN THIS STATE, RELIEVING PROVIDERS OF VOLUNTARY HEALTH CARE SERVICES FROM ADDITIONAL LICENSURE REQUIREMENTS, AND PROVIDING LIMITED PROTECTION FROM CIVIL LIABILITY TO PERSONS PROVIDING VOLUNTARY HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN ASSOCIATION WITH SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS.
Enacts new Article 1J (Voluntary Health Care Services Act) in GS Chapter 90. Allows a registered sponsoring organization to organize or arrange for the voluntary provision of in-state health care services for no more than seven calendar days in a calendar year. Defines sponsoring organization as any nonprofit that organizes or arranges for the voluntary provision of health care but does not include free clinics, local health department facilities, nonprofit community health centers, or nonprofit community health referral services that operate year-round. Requires a sponsoring organization to register with the Department of Health and Human Services (Department) and specifies information that must be included on the registration form. Requires a $50 registration fee and sets out requirements for the organization, including reporting on the health care providers providing services and maintaining specified records. Allows the Department to revoke registration for noncompliance and allows the organization to challenge the revocation by filing a contested case. Allows the Department to waive the requirements if there is an emergency. Requires the Department to forward the information provided by organizations on to the appropriate licensing boards to ensure licensure of health care providers. Requires organizations to ensure that at least one health care provider who is licensed to practice in the state and has access to the controlled substances reporting system is located on the site of the services. Provides that a health care provider engaging in the voluntary provision of health services with a sponsoring organization is not required to obtain additional licensure if the provider is licensed in the specified practice area in North Carolina or in another state and is in good standing. Enumerates instances in which the exemption from additional licensure does not apply. Provides that a health care provider providing voluntary health care services at a sponsoring organization’s location is not liable for death or injuries caused by the provider’s act or omission unless there is gross negligence, wanton conduct, or intentional wrongdoing by the provider. Specifies four circumstances in which the immunity does not exist. Effective January 1, 2013.