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

Amends GS 130A-343 by removing the prohibition on the Commission including more restrictive conditions and limitations in the approval of a wastewater system as Accepted that are not included in the approval of the wastewater system as Innovative or otherwise approved by law.

Adds the following content.

Amends GS 87-97 by removing the provisions under which a building inspector may request from the local health department the opportunity to inspect the activities authorized by a private drinking water well permit that has been issued. Also adds that the permit is deemed to also include authorization for installation of both water pipes and electrical wiring in a single ditch by a person certified as a well contractor when running electrical wires from the well pump to a pressure sensing device other than a pressure switch. Adds the requirement that the ditch be covered by a person certified as a well contractor upon the completion of the allowed activities.

Changes the effective date of fees assessed pursuant to GS 130A-336.1(n), as amended by Section 3 of this act, and fees assessed pursuant to GS 130A-336.2(n), as amended by Section 32 of this act, to September 1, 2023.

Adds the following, effective May 1, 2024.

Replaces the education and practice qualifications required for registration as an environmental health specialist under GS 90A-53 to now require satisfying any of the following: (1) graduation with a bachelor's degree or a postgraduate degree from a program accredited by the National Health Science and Protection Accreditation Council (EHAC); (2) graduation with a bachelor's degree or a postgraduate degree in public health and has at least one year of experience in the field of environmental health practice; or (3) graduation with a bachelor's degree or postgraduate degree, has earned a minimum of 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours in physical, biological, natural, life, or health sciences and has at least one year of experiences in the field of environmental health practice; or (4) worked at least five years as a registered environmental health associate. Makes technical changes.

Enacts GS 90A-53.1, establishing requirements for registration as an environmental health associate, with certification issuable by the Board of Environmental Health Specialist Examiners. Registration requirements include application and payment of $100 fee, meeting and complying with applicable ethics standards, and meeting at least one of the education qualifications described: either (1) graduating with an associate, bachelor's, or postgraduate degree from a program accredited by EHAC and completed general and specialized instruction and training in environmental health approved by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) or (2) graduating with an associate, bachelor's, or postgraduate degree and earned a minimum of 15 semester hours in physical, biological, natural, life, or health sciences and satisfactorily completed general and specialized instruction and training in environmental health approved by DHHS. Adds environmental health associate and registered environmental health associate to the defined terms in GS 90A-51 and makes technical changes.

Amends GS 90A-52 to allow a person with a temporary certification of registration to practice as an environmental health specialist intern for two (was, three) years. Also authorizes a registered environmental health associate, working under the responsible charge of a registered environmental health specialist, to perform any of eight specified duties relating to permitting and inspections, pursuant to rules adopted by the Commission for Public Health, including permitting and inspections for private water wells, inspections of Category I food establishments, temporary food establishments, and limited food service establishments, and inspections of residential care facilities.

Effective when the act becomes law, directs the Board of Environmental Health Specialist Examiners to amend its rules consistent with the act's provisions. 

Amends the act’s long title.