EMS PERSONNEL PROVISIONS. (NEW)

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View NCGA Bill Details(link is external)2025-2026 Session
House Bill 975 (Public) Filed Thursday, April 10, 2025
AN ACT TO ALLOW EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL, WHILE ON DUTY, TO CARRY PEPPER SPRAY OPENLY OR CONCEALED, AND TO PROVIDE AN EXEMPTION TO THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE FOR EMERGENCY PERSONNEL WHO RENDER EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES TO AN INJURED K-9 POLICE ANIMAL OR AN INJURED SEARCH AND RESCUE DOG AT THE SCENE OF AN EMERGENCY.
Intro. by Scott, N. Jackson, Biggs.

Status: Ch. SL 2025-42 (Jul 1 2025)

SOG comments (1):

Long title change

Previous title was AN ACT TO ALLOW EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL, WHILE ON DUTY, TO CARRY PEPPER SPRAY OPENLY OR CONCEALED.

Bill History:

H 975/S.L. 2025-42

Bill Summaries:

  • Summary date: Jul 3 2025 - View Summary

    AN ACT TO ALLOW EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL, WHILE ON DUTY, TO CARRY PEPPER SPRAY OPENLY OR CONCEALED, AND TO PROVIDE AN EXEMPTION TO THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE FOR EMERGENCY PERSONNEL WHO RENDER EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES TO AN INJURED K-9 POLICE ANIMAL OR AN INJURED SEARCH AND RESCUE DOG AT THE SCENE OF AN EMERGENCY. SL 2025-42. Enacted July 1, 2025. Effective July 1, 2025, except as otherwise provided.


  • Summary date: Jun 17 2025 - View Summary

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

    Makes changes to the act's titles.

    Makes formatting changes to the bill by adding Part I, including both sections from the 2nd edition with no substantive changes. Makes conforming changes to numbering of the sections.

    Adds Part II, which makes the following changes.

    Amends GS 90-187.10 by adding subdivision (13) which states that nothing in Article 11 regarding necessity of a veterinary license to practice veterinary medicine prohibits emergency medical services (EMS) personnel (defined by reference to GS 131E-155 and specifically excluding those only credentialed as emergency medical dispatchers) from providing emergency medical transport or services to an injured K-9 police unit animal or a certified search and rescue dog working with a federal, State, or local agency or department at the scene of an emergency.

    Amends Chapter 131E by adding GS 131E-155.2, which prohibits prosecution of EMS personnel for providing emergency medical transport or services to an injured K-9 police unit animal or search and rescue dog if the EMS personnel acted in good faith when providing the transport or service. Limits immunity so that it does not extend to gross negligence, wanton conduct, or intentional wrongdoing that would otherwise be actionable. Defines search and rescue dog.

    Part II is effective 30 days after becoming law and applies to acts on or after that date.


  • Summary date: Apr 29 2025 - View Summary

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

    Removes the previous edition’s amendments to GS 131E-157 and GS 143-508 preventing the NC Medical Care Commission (Commission) and the NC Office of Emergency Medical Services (Office) from adopting or enforcing any rule prohibiting EMS personnel from carrying concealed or openly any pepper spray and the provision requiring the adoption of related rules.

    Enacts new subsection (c) to GS 131E-158, directing the Commission and Office to adopt rules to permit EMS personnel to carry, concealed or openly, any pepper spray. Specifies the rules may require training that may not exceed NC Basic Law Enforcement Training standards in the use of pepper spray, and approval from the affiliated EMS provider under its policies prior to carrying pepper spray. Effective July 1, 2025.


  • Summary date: Apr 10 2025 - View Summary

    Amends GS 131E-157 and GS 143-508 to prevent the NC Medical Care Commission (Commission) and the NC Office of Emergency Medical Services (Office) from adopting or enforcing any rule prohibiting EMS personnel form carrying concealed or openly any pepper spray (meaning, a chemical irritant such as mace, oleoresin capsicum or pepper spray or tear gas) otherwise allowed under GS 14-401.6. Requires the Commission and the Office to adopt or amend their rules consistent with the provisions of the act. Authorizes the use of the APA's procedures for adopting a temporary rule to adopt the rules under the act.

    Effective July 1, 2025.