SB 634 – Funds for Equity Before Birth
SB 634 – Funds for Equity Before Birth
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Natalie Murdock (D-Durham); Sen. Joyce Waddell (D-Mecklenburg); Sen. Valerie Foushee (D-Chatham, Orange)
Summary
This bill appropriates $250K in nonrecurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to Equity Before Birth, a nonprofit organization, to supplement the income of mothers in the absence of paid parental leave and to cover the cost of essential services and support.
Movement
Filed – 4/6/2021
SB 632 – North Carolina Momnibus Act
SB 632 – North Carolina Momnibus Act
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Natalie Murdock (D-Durham); Sen. Sydney Batch (D-Wake); Sen. Deandrea Salvador (D-Mecklenburg)
Summary
This bill:
- Establishes the Social Determinants of Maternal Health Task Force within DHHS to develop a strategy to coordinate efforts between State agencies to address social determinants of maternal health with respect to pregnant and postpartum individuals.
- Establishes the Maternal Mortality Prevention Grant Program to award competitive grants to eligible entities to establish or expand programs for the prevention of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity among black women.
- Requires DHHS, in collaboration with community-based organizations led by black women that serve primarily black birthing people and a historically black college or university that primarily serves minority populations, to create or identify an evidence-based implicit bias training program for health care professionals involved in perinatal care.
- Establishes certain specified rights of perinatal care patients.
- Makes a series of appropriations to DHHS to support data collection, surveillance, and research on maternal health as a result of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
- Requires DHHS to provide the public with evidence-based public health information and education about COVID-19 and pregnancy.
- Establishes the Task Force on Birthing Experience and Safe Maternity Care During a Public Health Emergency within DHHS to develop recommendations on respectful maternity care during the COVID-19 public health emergency and other public health emergencies.
Movement
Filed – 4/6/2021
SB 626 – Concussion Protocol/County Recreation
SB 626 – Concussion Protocol/County Recreation
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Don Davis (Greene, Pitt); Sen. Ralph Hise (R-Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Yancey)
Summary
This bill requires county and municipal recreation programs to take precautions to ensure the safety and well-being of activity participants, including requiring programs to adopt a plan to provide participants with concussion awareness information and implement concussion response protocols.
Movement
Filed – 4/6/2021
SB 615 – Direct Care Worker Wage Passthrough/Medicaid
SB 615 – Direct Care Worker Wage Passthrough/Medicaid
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Natalie Murdock (D-Durham); Sen. Wiley Nickel (D-Wake); Sen. Julie Mayfield (D-Buncombe)
Summary
This bill:
- Requires the Division of Health Benefits to provide a 15% rate increase option for personal care services reimbursed under specified Medicaid Clinical Coverage Policies.
- Requires the Division to adjust the PMPM capitation amount paid to LME/MCOs operating capitated contracts for mental health, intellectual and developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services and to prepaid health plans.
- Appropriates $9.3M in recurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year and $21.85M in recurring funds for the 2022-2023 fiscal year to be used to implement the rate increase option.
- Provides a process for the Division to recoup funds related to the rate increase option received by the provider if the Division determines that the provider did not use the funding from the rate increase to increase wages of all direct care professionals it employs to an hourly wage of no less than $15 or that the provider failed to track and report the use of the funding as required.
Movement
Filed – 4/6/2021
SB 610 – Address Direct Sup. Staffing Crisis/Medicaid
SB 610 – Address Direct Sup. Staffing Crisis/Medicaid
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Jim Burgin (R-Harnett, Johnston, Lee); Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Davie, Forsyth); Sen. Jim Perry (R-Lenoir, Wayne)
Summary
This bill:
- Requires the Division of Health Benefits to adjust the PMPM capitation amount paid to LME/MCOs operating capitated contracts for mental health, intellectual and other developmental disabilities, and substance abuse services to include amounts sufficient to increase wages paid to direct support personnel working in intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
- Appropriates $17.5M in recurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year and $21.8M in recurring funds for the 2022-2023 fiscal year to be used to adjust the PMPM capitation amount paid to LME/MCOs.
- Recommends the Division consider cost-of-living adjustments and wage and hour cost-of-living adjustments for direct support personnel when setting the PMPM capitation amount paid to LME/MCOs for future capitation rate cycles.
Movement
Filed – 4/6/2021
SB 607 – Substance Use Disorder Safety Act
SB 607 – Substance Use Disorder Safety Act
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Chuck Edwards (R-Buncombe, Henderson, Transylvania); Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Davie, Forsyth)
Summary
This bill:
- Allows any governmental or nongovernmental organization to establish and operate a needle and hypodermic syringe exchange program in a facility that offers professional counseling or rehabilitation services for individuals with drug use disorders.
- Requires such programs to require individuals who use drugs illicitly to enroll in evidence-based treatment (was previously “encourage” individuals).
- Requires the host of such programs to ensure that all program supplies are engraved or marked with a symbol or logo that clearly identifies the program.
- Notes that statutory limited immunity does not apply to individuals in possession of program supplies within an area designated as a school zone.
- Adds information to the reporting requirements for organizations operating such programs.
- Establishes new requirements related to the program’s location and neighborhood and school safety.
- Requires any individual operating an exchange program to maintain general liability insurance and professional liability insurance in the amount of $1M each.
Movement
Filed – 4/6/2021
SB 604 – Addressing Nonacademic Barriers to Success
SB 604 – Addressing Nonacademic Barriers to Success
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Sarah Crawford (D-Franklin, Wake)
Summary
This bill requires the State Board of Community Colleges to develop and administer a grant program designed to improve academic success by addressing nonacademic barriers impacting students, including the lack or insufficient availability and accessibility of: (1) mental health and other behavioral health services, (2) affordable and stable housing, (3) sufficient and healthy nutrition, (4) affordable health care services and health insurance, and (5) legal and other support services.
This bill also appropriates $1.6M in nonrecurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to the Community College System to establish the Community College Support Student Academic Success Program and appropriates $1.1M in nonrecurring funds for the 2022-2023 fiscal year to the Community College System to extend successful grant programs and evaluate the Academic Success Program.
Movement
Filed – 4/6/2021
SB 601 – Funds & Authority/Appoint NC Surgeon General
SB 601 – Funds & Authority/Appoint NC Surgeon General
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen Wiley Nickle (D-Wake)
Summary
This bill establishes the position of North Carolina Surgeon General as a Governor appointed position. The NC Surgeon General will work closely with the DHHS Secretary to ensure compliance with the strategic plans, policies, and implementation activities of DHHS and will advise the Governor and the DHHS Secretary on health policy.
This bill also appropriates $150K in recurring funds for the 2020-2021 fiscal year to the Office of the Governor to fund the position.
Movement
Filed – 4/6/2021
SB 595 – Task Force on Adverse Childhood Experiences
SB 595 – Task Force on Adverse Childhood Experiences
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Jeff Jackson (D-Mecklenburg); Sen. Sydney Batch (D-Wake); Sen. Deandrea Salvador (D-Mecklenburg)
Summary
This bill establishes the Task Force to Study Adverse Childhood Experiences, requires the Task Force to study the extent, nature, and impact of adverse childhood experiences, make recommendations to address these impacts through State and local government, and report its recommendations to specified joint legislative oversight committees no later than December 31, 2022.
Movement
Filed – 4/6/2021
SB 594 – Medicaid Administrative Changes & Technical Corrections
SB 594 – Medicaid Administrative Changes & Technical Corrections
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Davie, Forsyth); Sen. Jim Burgin (R-Harnett, Johnston, Lee); Sen. Jim Perry (R-Lenoir, Wayne)
Summary
This bill makes a series of updates and technical edits to the statutes governing the NC Medicaid program, including establishing new processes for beneficiary appeals and expedited contested case hearing requests, making modifications to Medicaid-related provisions of the 2020 COVID-19 Recovery Act, and increasing the maximum number of therapeutic leave days that a medical assistance beneficiary at an intermediate care facility or skilled nursing facility may take without the facility losing reimbursement under the medical assistance program.
Movement
Filed – 4/6/2021
SB 586 – Study Lipedema
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Deandrea Salvador (D-Mecklenburg); Sen. Kathy Harrington (R-Gaston); Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Davie, Forsyth)
Summary
This bill requires the Legislative Research Commission to study the medical issues surrounding lipedema and its impact on women residing in the State and report to the General Assembly regarding the same.
Movement
Filed – 4/6/2021
SB 585 – Funds/Eliminate NC Pre-K Waitlist Statewide:
SB 585 – Funds/Eliminate NC Pre-K Waitlist Statewide:
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Mujtaba Mohammed (D-Mecklenburg); Sen. Natasha Marcus (D-Mecklenburg); Sen. Joyce Waddell (D-Mecklenburg)
Summary
This bill appropriates $12.5M in recurring funds for each year of the 2021-2023 fiscal biennium to DHHS to eliminate the waitlist for the NC Pre-K program statewide.
Movement
Filed – 4/6/2021
SB 575 – Pharmacists Improve Public Health Needs
SB 575 – Pharmacists Improve Public Health Needs
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Jim Burgin (R-Harnett, Johnston, Lee); Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Davie, Forsyth); Sen. Jim Perry (R-Lenoir, Wayne)
Summary
This bill:
- Adds immunizing pharmacists and clinical pharmacist practitioners to the categories of individuals who can prescribe an opioid antagonist in certain specified situations.
- Allows an immunizing pharmacist to administer vaccinations approved by the FDA in accordance with the protocols established by the advisory committee on immunization practices to individuals at least six years of age pursuant to a specific prescription order initiated by a prescriber following a physical examination of the patient by the prescriber.
- Allows immunizing pharmacists and clinical pharmacist practitioners to prescribe and dispense certain specified medications including Naloxone, tobacco cessation medications, epinephrine, glucagon, short-acting bronchodilators, hormonal contraceptives, prenatal vitamins, controlled substances for the prevention of HIV, dietary fluoride supplements, and prescription medications not requiring a diagnosis that are recommended by the CDC for individuals traveling outside the United States.
- Requires immunizing pharmacists to maintain a record of any vaccine, immunization, or medication administered to the patient, notify the patient’s primary care provider within 72 hours of the administration, furnish patient records to the patient or the primary care provider upon request, and to provide counseling to the patient in certain circumstances.
- Requires immunizing pharmacists and clinical pharmacist practitioners who prescribe and dispense certain medication to comply with specified conditions and rules adopted by the Medical Board and the Board of Pharmacy.
- Requires the Medical Board and the Board of Pharmacy Joint Subcommittee to develop certain specified statewide written protocols.
Movement
Filed – 4/6/2021
SB 712 – State Implicit Bias Training Initiative
SB 712 – State Implicit Bias Training Initiative
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Joyce Waddell (D-Mecklenburg)
Summary
This bill requires the Legislative Services Commission and the State Human Resources Commission to establish annual training programs on implicit bias for legislators, legislative employees, and State employees.
Movement
Filed – 4/7/2021
SB 711 – NC Compassionate Care Act
SB 711 – NC Compassionate Care Act
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Bill Rabon (R-Bladen, Brunswick, New Hanover, Pender); Sen. Michael Lee (R-New Hanover); Sen. Paul Lowe, Jr. (D-Forsyth)
Summary
This bill:
- Defines a series of terms related to cannabis.
- Requires DHHS to issue registry identification cards to qualified patients/caregivers.
- Establishes processes for the application for, and issuance of, registry identification cards.
- Provides protections for the medical use of cannabis for registry identification cardholders.
- Establishes the Medical Cannabis Production Commission and requires the Commission, in consultation with the NC Medical Care Commission, to adopt rules establishing qualifications and requirements for licensure of medical cannabis suppliers, for the production of medical cannabis by a medical cannabis supplier, and for the proper regulation of medical cannabis centers and cannabis products facilities operated by medical cannabis suppliers.
- Requires the Medical Cannabis Production Commission to establish a medical cannabis supply system.
- Establishes requirements for a Medical Cannabis Supplier License.
Movement
Filed – 4/7/2021
SB 703 – Strengthen Child Fatality Prevention System
SB 703 – Strengthen Child Fatality Prevention System
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Chuck Edwards (R-Buncombe, Henderson, Transylvania); Sen. Jim Burgin (R-Harnett, Johnston, Lee)
Summary
This bill makes a series of changes to the current child fatality prevention system. Specifically, this bill:
- Establishes the State Office of Child Fatality Prevention and specifies the Office’s purpose, powers, and duties.
- Appropriates $389,998 in recurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year and $551,861 in recurring funds for the 2022-2023 fiscal year to the Division of Public Health to establish and operate the Office.
- Requires DHHS to establish a transition plan to shift support to the Office, create a centralized data and reporting system, and restructure and train existing child death review teams.
- Modifies the organization, procedures, and duties, of the NC Child Fatality Task Force.
- Specifies the duties of the medical examiner child fatality staff.
- Requires participation in the National Child Death Review Case Reporting System.
Movement
Filed – 4/7/2021
SB 705 – Create Department of Housing and Community Development
SB 705 – Create Department of Housing and Community Development
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Michael Garrett (D-Guilford); Sen. Sydney Batch (D-Wake); Sen. Sarah Crawford (D-Franklin, Wake)
Summary
This bill establishes the NC Department of Housing and Community Development to perform all functions of the executive branch of the State in relation to housing and community development, including developing and implementing plans for expansion of broadband access and developing and implementing plans for homeless and special needs housing, housing policy, and natural disaster resilience.
Movement
Filed – 4/7/2021
SB 698 – End Menstrual Poverty Act
SB 698 – End Menstrual Poverty Act
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Natalie Murdock (D-Durham); Sen. Julie Mayfield (D-Buncombe)
Summary
This bill appropriates $250K in nonrecurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to the Department of Public Instruction to provide grants to local school administrative units to provide feminine hygiene products for students.
This bill also appropriates $350K in nonrecurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to DHHS to be allocated to the Diaper Bank of North Carolina to increase the accessibility of feminine hygiene products in local diaper banks throughout the State.
Movement
Filed – 4/7/2021
SB 696 – Protect NC Citizens from Radon
SB 696 – Protect NC Citizens from Radon
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Julie Mayfield (D-Buncombe)
Summary
This bill requires radon mitigation system installers to provide specified information related to radon test results to the NC Radiation Protection Commission and authorizes the Commission to adopt rules imposing testing and reporting requirements for radon gas inside buildings.
This bill also requires the Radiation Protection Section to produce and annually update a map of radon mitigation systems installed in structures in the State based on the data generated and reported to DHHS under rules for radon gas testing and reporting adopted by the Commission.
Movement
Filed – 4/7/2021
SB 695 – Statewide Medical Action Plan for Schools
SB 695 – Statewide Medical Action Plan for Schools
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Steve Jarvis (R-Davidson, Montgomery); Sen. Michael Lee (R-New Hanover); Sen. Deanna Ballard (R-Alleghany, Ashe, Surry, Watauga, Wilkes)
Summary
This bill requires the State Board of Education to adopt a medical action plan to be implemented by each public school unit. The bill requires plans to include a minimum of all of the following components: (1) a standard student medical condition form to be used for each student; (2) a standard student medical action plan form to be used for each student; and (3) a method for ensuring that all persons having supervisory responsibility over a student receive a student medical action plan form for each student whenever the student leaves campus.
Movement
Filed – 4/7/2021
SB 692 – Use of Opioid Settlement Funds
SB 692 – Use of Opioid Settlement Funds
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Jim Burgin (R-Harnett, Johnston, Lee); Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Davie, Forsyth); Sen. Jim Perry (R-Lenoir, Wayne)
Summary
This bill states that all funds received by the State as a beneficiary of the final consent judgment resolving the State opioid lawsuit must be deposited into the Opioid Abatement Fund.
This bill also provides that moneys in the Fund may only be expended for specified purposes, including to expand evidence-based treatment supports and to improve connections to care.
Movement
Filed – 4/7/2021
SB 689 – County Broadband Authority
SB 689 – County Broadband Authority
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Lisa Barnes (R-Johnston, Nash); Sen. Ralph Hise (R-Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Yancey); Sen. Valerie Foushee (D-Chatham, Orange)
Summary
This bill:
- Requires municipalities/membership corporations to replace a pole in any instance where the provider is granted access for the purpose of offering broadband services in an unserved area upon request by a communications service provider.
- Authorizes counties to levy property taxes, subject to rate limitation, to provide grants to high-speed internet access service providers or to build facilities and equipment of a broadband service.
- Authorizes counties to provide grants to private or nonprofit providers of high-speed Internet access service for the purpose of expanding service in the county.
- Permits counties to construct Internet technology infrastructure capable of delivering high-speed Internet access service within the county.
Movement
Filed – 4/7/2021
SB 683 – Prehospital Stroke Protocols/EMS Personnel
SB 683 – Prehospital Stroke Protocols/EMS Personnel
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Jim Perry (R-Lenoir, Wayne)
Summary
This bill requires DHHS to adopt rules to establish evidence-based protocols for prehospital assessment, treatment, and transportation of stroke patients by emergency medical services personnel.
Movement
Filed – 4/7/2021
SB 680 – Remote Notarization Act
SB 680 – Remote Notarization Act
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Danny Britt, Jr. (R-Columbus, Robeson); Sen. Warren Daniel (R-Avery, Burke, Caldwell); Sen. Tom McInnis (R-Anson, Moore, Richmond, Scotland)
Summary
This bill allows remote online notarization, establishes qualifications needed to qualify a person for a remote online notary registration, establishes the type of notarial acts that may be performed by means of communication technology, and sets out the requirements and procedure for remote online notarial acts.
Movement
Filed – 4/7/2021
SB 669 – Enact Medical Cannabis
SB 669 – Enact Medical Cannabis
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Wiley Nickel (D-Wake); Sen. Natalie Murdock (D-Durham); Sen. Natasha Marcus (D-Mecklenburg)
Summary
This bill:
- Enacts the North Carolina Medical Cannabis Act.
- Sets out a series of defined terms related to cannabis.
- Provides specified legal protections for patients and designated caregivers related to the medical use of cannabis.
- States that a physician shall not be subject to arrest, prosecution, or penalty, or denied any right or privilege for discussing with a patient the benefits or health risks of the medical use of cannabis or the interaction of cannabis with other substances.
- Prohibits certain activities while under the influence of cannabis, including undertaking any task under the influence when doing so would constitute negligence or professional malpractice.
- Requires the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to establish a medical cannabis supply system that provides a safe, regulated supply of cannabis appropriate for medical use by qualified patients who hold a written certification and generates sufficient revenue for the Department to maintain and operate the system.
- Requires a Medical Cannabis Center License to operate a medical cannabis center.
- Requires the Medical Care Commission to adopt rules to establish qualifications and requirements for licensure of medical cannabis centers, producers of medical cannabis, and producers of cannabis-infused products.
- Provides immunity for physicians for recommending the medical use of cannabis or providing written certification for the medical use of cannabis.
- Establishes the North Carolina Cannabis Research Program to develop and conduct studies designed to ascertain the general safety and efficacy of using cannabis for medical treatment.
Movement
Filed – 4/7/2021
SB 666 – Update Reqs./Advance Health Care Directives
SB 666 – Update Reqs./Advance Health Care Directives
Primary Senate Sponsors: Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Davie, Forsyth); Sen. Jim Burgin (R-Harnett, Johnston, Lee); Sen. Jim Perry (R-Lenoir, Wayne)
Summary
This bill:
- Allows for a health care power of attorney to be valid if it is signed in the presence of two qualified witnesses or acknowledged before a notary public.
- Makes conforming changes to the statutory health care power of attorney form.
- Allows an advance health directive to be valid if it has been signed in the presence of a notary public or two witnesses.
- Makes conforming changes to the statutory Advance Directive form.
- Allows health care powers of attorney and advance health directives to be electronically filed with the NC Secretary of State.
Movement
Filed – 4/7/2021
SB 665 – Prevent Unlicensed Mental Health Facilities
SB 665 – Prevent Unlicensed Mental Health Facilities
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Sydney Batch (D-Wake); Sen. Jay Chaudhuri (D-Wake); Sen. Sarah Crawford (D-Franklin, Wake)
Summary
This bill:
- Requires DHHS to conduct follow-up visits to facilities that have previously received an order from the Department directing the facility to cease and desist from engaging in any act or practice.
- Authorizes the DHHS Secretary to issue orders to facilities not appropriately licensed that are providing services requiring a license to cease and desist from engaging in any prohibited acts or practices.
- Designates the operation of licensable facility without a license as a Class H felony, including a fine of $1K per day that the facility is improperly operating without a license.
- Requires the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services to establish a database that makes publicly available the status of any ongoing investigations of reported improper program or facility operations.
Movement
Filed – 4/6/2021
This bill was referred to the following Senate Committees:
-Rules and Operations
SB 633 – NC Healthy Pregnancy Act
SB 633 – NC Healthy Pregnancy Act
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Natalie Murdock (D-Durham); Sen. Sydney Batch (D-Wake); Sen. Natasha Marcus (D-Mecklenburg)
Summary
This bill includes a series of provisions addressing pregnancy-related discrimination and workplace accommodations. Specifically, this bill:
- Establishes the NC Healthy Pregnancy Act
- Requires employers to investigate whether there are reasonable accommodations that can be made and to make reasonable accommodations as statutorily defined upon request by a qualified pregnant person.
- Prohibits certain specified discriminatory practices by employers related to a pregnant person.
- Permits a pregnant person aggrieved by a prohibited discriminatory practice to bring a civil action against any person/entity alleged to have committed the discriminatory practice.
Movement
Filed – 4/6/2021
This bill was referred to the following Senate Committees:
-Rules and Operations
SB 564 – Paid Family Leave Insurance Act
SB 564 – Paid Family Leave Insurance Act
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Sydney Batch (D-Wake); Sen. Deandrea Salvador (D-Mecklenburg); Sen. Sarah Crawford (D-Franklin, Wake)
Summary
This bill:
- Enacts the North Carolina Paid Family Leave Insurance Act.
- Requires the Division of Employment Security to establish and administer a family and medical leave insurance program.
- Deems family and medical leave insurance benefits payable to any covered individual (defined as any person who submits an application and meets the specified monetary eligibility criteria) who meet one of the following requirements: (1) is caring for a new child during the first year after birth, adoption, or child placement; (2) is caring for a family member with a serious health condition; (3) has a serious health condition; (4) is caring for a covered service member who is the covered individual’s next of kin or other family member; or (5) because of any “qualifying exigency leave” arising out of the fact that the family member of the covered individual is on active duty in the Armed Forces.
- Establishes maximum number of weeks during which family and medical leave insurance benefits are payable.
- Establishes the method used to determine benefit amounts.
- States that any covered individual who exercises his or her right to family and medical leave insurance benefits is entitled to be restored to the position held when the leave commenced upon expiration of the leave.
Movement
Filed – 4/6/2021
This bill was referred to the following Senate Committees:
-Rules and Operations
SB 505 – Medical Billing Transparency
SB 505 – Medical Billing Transparency
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Davie, Forsyth); Sen. Jim Burgin (R-Harnett, Johnston, Lee); Sen. Jim Perry (R-Lenoir, Wayne)
Summary
This bill:
- Requires all contracts for participation as an in-network health services facility between an insurer offering health benefit plans and a health services facility at which there are out-of-network providers who may be part of the provision of services to an insured to require the facility to provide at least 72 hours’ advanced written notification to an insured that has scheduled an appointment at the facility of any out-of-network provider who will provide health care services to the insured.
- Requires facilities to provide written notice to the insured on the day the appointment is scheduled if there is not at least 72 hours between the scheduling of the appointment and the appointment.
- Requires the facility to provide written notice to the insured as soon as reasonably possible in the case of emergency services.
- Requires the written notice to provide an estimated cost to the insured of the services being rendered by out-of-network providers.
- Allows an insurer to recover related overpayments made to any provider/facility by making demands for refunds from the insured, the provider, or the facility.
Movement
Filed – 4/5/2021
SB 503 – End Youth Nicotine Dependence Act or END Act
SB 503 – End Youth Nicotine Dependence Act or END Act
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Mike Woodard (D-Durham, Granville, Person)
Summary
This bill establishes the Tobacco Use Prevention Fund, an interest-bearing special fund in the Chronic Disease and Injury Section of the Division of Public Health with the purpose of preventing the use of new and emerging tobacco products, especially among youth and people of childbearing age.
This bill also specifies when DHHS is authorized to expend moneys in the Fund.
Movement
Filed – 4/5/2021
SB 502 – Interdisciplinary Health Ed Teaching Pilot
SB 502 – Interdisciplinary Health Ed Teaching Pilot
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Mike Woodard (D-Durham, Granville, Person)
Summary
This bill appropriates $1.1M in nonrecurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year and $1M in nonrecurring funds for the 2022-2023 fiscal year for the NC AHEC Program to fund a 2-year pilot program to establish interdisciplinary health education teaching hubs in at least 3 safety net health care clinics to teach health professional students from at least 3 different disciplines.
This bill also requires NC AHEC to study the availability and demand of community preceptors in NC and report its findings as specified no later than December 1, 2022.
Movement
Filed – 4/5/2021
HB 488/SB 393 – Analysis Doula Supp. Services/Medicaid Coverage
HB 488/SB 393 – Analysis Doula Supp. Services/Medicaid Coverage
Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Zack Hawkins (D-Durham); Rep. Julie von Haefen (D-Wake); Rep. Carla Cunningham (D-Meck
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Natalie Murdock (D-Durham); Sen. Natasha Marcus (D-Mecklenburg); Sen. Joyce Waddell (D-Mecklenburg)
Summary
This bill requires DHHS to conduct a statewide landscape analysis of doula support services in order to inform the development of insurance coverage and reimbursement policies for doula support services in the state.
This bill requires the following factors to be considered in the analysis: 1) the availability of doulas and doula services across the state; 2) the demographic and training background diversity of providers of doula services; 3) the standards for the attestation, training, and certification; and 4) practical options for health benefit plan policies to include coverage for doula support services during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and the postpartum period as part of value-based payments, enhanced reimbursements , or as value-added services.
Following completion of this analysis, this bill requires the Division of Public Health to 1) partner with doula training programs and childbirth education organizations to help set standards for the attestation, training, and certification of doulas in North Carolina; 2) develop doula services coverage and reimbursement options for consideration by commercial insurers; 3) develop bills standards for the provision of doula services; and 4) create a statewide directory of providers offering doula support services.
This bill also requires the Division of Health Benefits to submit a State Plan amendment adding coverage under Medicaid for antepartum, intrapartum, and postpartum services provided by a doula and appropriates $500K to the Division in nonrecurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to be used to make necessary changes to the NCTracks system to add coverage for doula services.
Movement
HB 488
Filed – 4/1/2021
SB 393
Filed – 3/30/2021
HB 483 – Pistol Permit/Mental Health Record to Sheriff
HB 483 – Pistol Permit/Mental Health Record to Sheriff
Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Dudley Greene (R-Avery, McDowell, Mitchell); Rep. Allen McNeil (R-Moore, Randolph); Rep. Carson Smith (R-Columbus, Pender); Rep. Charles Miller (R-Brunswick, New Hanover)
Summary
This bill removes the requirement for a signed release authorizing and requiring disclosure to the sheriff of any court orders concerning the mental health or capacity of the applicant to be used in determining whether the applicant is disqualified to receive a permit to be included within an application for a pistol purchase permit.
This bill requires the sheriff to request disclosure of any court order concerning the mental health or mental capacity of the applicant to be used in determining whether the applicant is disqualified and also requires the applicant to provide a statement of acknowledgement granting the sheriff authority to obtain all criminal and mental health order required by state and federal law to determine permit eligibility.
This bill also removes language providing accessibility of the record of involuntary commitment for inpatient or outpatient mental health treatment or substance abuse treatment required to be reported to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System and instead requires the release of all mental health orders that concern the mental health and mental capacity of an applicant to a sheriff if a sheriff notifies the potential holder of a n order in writing that the applicant has complete an application.
Movement
Filed – 4/1/2021
SB 496 – DOI Omnibus Bill
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Todd Johnson (R-Union); Sen. Chuck Edwards (R-Buncombe, Henderson, Transylvania); Sen. Tom McInnis (R-Anson, Moore, Richmond, Scotland)
Summary
This bill makes a series of amendments to various insurance laws, including the following:
- Adds statutory provisions applicable to HMOs.
- Modifies the requirements for each PHP’s required plan for handling insolvency by stating that the plan must allow for health care services to be provided to enrollees until the PHP’s capitated contract is terminated by DHHS and all enrollees required to enroll in a PHP are transitioned to another PHP.
- Makes a technical change to a provision governing long-term care insurance.
- Excludes faith-based health care sharing organizations from the Commissioner’s jurisdiction provided the organizations adhere to specified requirements.
Movement
Filed – 4/1/2021
SB 486 – Reform Courts and Jails
SB 486 – Reform Courts and Jails
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Mujtaba Mohammed (D-Mecklenburg); Sen. Milton Fitch, Jr. (D-Edgecombe, Halifax, Wilson); Sen. Sydney Batch (D-Wake)
Summary
This bill makes a series of changes related to the criminal justice system, including enacting the Dignity for Women Who are Incarcerated Act. This Act:
- Prohibits the use of restraints on pregnant incarcerated woman during the second and third trimester of pregnancy, during labor and delivery, and during the six-week postpartum recovery period except in certain specified instances.
- Prohibits invasive body cavity searches of an incarcerated woman who is pregnant or in the postpartum recovery period except in certain specified instances.
- Prohibits the use of restrictive housing for incarcerated women who are pregnant or are in the six-week postpartum recovery period except in certain specified instances.
- Requires the Department of Public Safety or the administrator of a correction facility to allow a newborn to remain with the incarcerated woman for at least 72 hours unless the medical provider has a reasonable belief that doing so poses a health or safety risk to the newborn.
Movement
Filed – 4/1/2021
SB 485 – Fund Drug Treatment/Mental Health Courts
SB 485 – Fund Drug Treatment/Mental Health Courts
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Mujtaba Mohammed (D-Mecklenburg); Sen. Valerie Foushee (D-Chatham, Orange); Sen. Gladys Robinson (D-Guilford)
Summary
This bill appropriates $4.2M in recurring funds for each fiscal year of the 2021-2023 fiscal biennium to the Administrative Office of the Courts to be used to support the work of the NC Drug Treatment Court Program in creating and sustaining local drug treatment court programs.
This bills also appropriates $4.3M in recurring funds for each fiscal year of the 2021-2023 fiscal biennium to the Administrative Office of the Courts to be used to facilitate the creation and funding of new and existing mental health court programs to service individuals that have a mental health diagnosis or treatment history and are defendants in the criminal justice system.
Movement
Filed – 4/1/2021
SB 475 – Transparency in Evidence Standards
SB 475 – Transparency in Evidence Standards
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Danny Britt, Jr. (R-Columbus, Robeson); Sen. Jim Perry (R-Lenoir, Wayne); Sen. Amy Galey (R-Alamance, Guilford)
Summary
This bill specifies that the Rule 411 of the NC Rules of Evidence does not require the exclusion of evidence of insurance coverage limits when offered for another purpose, such as proof of agency, ownership, or control, or bias or prejudice of a witness.
This bill also notes that the term “insurance” prohibits parties from introducing evidence of any payments made by insurance under the collateral source rule but should not be construed to prohibit evidence of health insurance, disability insurance, or other forms of benefits that can be characterized as insurance.
Movement
Filed – 4/1/2021
SB 472 – Expand Occupational Cancer Benefits/Firefighters
SB 472 – Expand Occupational Cancer Benefits/Firefighters
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Todd Johnson (R-Union); Sen. Jim Perry (R-Lenoir, Wayne)
Summary
This bill adds cancers of the respiratory system, digestive system, and urinary system to the type of cancers deemed occupationally related to firefighting.
This bill also requires the Industrial Commission to establish a $25K trust account, to be used exclusively for medical expenses, in the name of any firefighter diagnosed with a cancer deemed occupationally related to firefighting provided the firefighter meets specified criteria at the time of diagnosis.
Movement
Filed – 4/1/2021
SB 471 – Increase Veterans Access to Health Care
SB 471 – Increase Veterans Access to Health Care
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Kirk deViere (D-Cumberland); Sen. Sarah Crawford (D-Franklin, Wake); Sen. Don Davis (D-Greene, Pitt)
Summary
This bill states the General Assembly’s intent to expand Medicaid eligibility to NC veterans who (1) have a modified adjusted gross income that is below 100% of the federal poverty level, (2) are between the age of 19 and 65, (3) are not entitled to or enrolled in Medicare benefits under Part A or Part B of Title XVIII of the federal Social Security Act, and (4) are not otherwise eligible for Medicaid coverage under the NC Medicaid State Plan.
This bill also states the General Assembly’s intent to fund the costs associated with this Medicaid expansion entirely from the General Fund, an increase in assessments on hospitals, and/or a tax of prepaid health plan premiums and an assessment on managed care organizations operating in the State.
Movement
Filed – 4/1/2021
SB 470 – Regulatory Sandbox Act
SB 470 – Regulatory Sandbox Act
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Todd Johnson (R-Union); Sen. Ralph Hise (R-Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Yancey)
Summary
This bill establishes the regulatory sandbox program, a program that permits a person or entity to temporarily test an innovative financial or insurance product or service and make it available to consumers on a limited basis without being subject to certain licensing or other regulatory obligations imposed under state law.
This bill also establishes the NC Innovation Council, an entity authorized to set standards, principles, guidelines, and policy priorities for the types of innovations that the regulatory sandbox program will support.
Movement
Filed – 4/1/2021
SB 468 – Scientific Integrity Act
SB 468 – Scientific Integrity Act
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Michael Lee (R-New Hanover); Sen. Paul Newton (R-Cabarrus, Union); Sen. Jim Perry (R-Lenoir, Wayne)
Summary
This bill modifies the procedure for adopting a permanent rule requiring agencies authorized to implement and enforce State and federal environmental laws to provide citations for any data used as a basis for the rule within the notice of the proposed text of a rule. This bill also requires agencies to consider any challenges regarding the cited data received during the comment period.
Movement
Filed – 4/1/2021
SB 464/HB 262 – Smart Start Funds
SB 464/HB 262 – Smart Start Funds
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Davie, Forsyth); Sen. Jim Burgin (R-Harnett, Johnston, Lee); Sen. Jim Perry (R-Lenoir, Wayne)
Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Donny Lambeth (R-Forsyth); Rep. Donna White (R-Johnston); Rep. Larry Potts (R-Davidson); Rep. Gale Adcock (D-Wake)
Summary
This bill appropriates $30M recurring for each year in the 2021-2023 fiscal biennium to be allocated to the North Carolina Partnership for Children, Inc., to distribute to Smart Start local partnerships.
Movement
SB 464
Filed – 4/1/2021
HB 262
Filed – 3/10/2021
This bill was referred to the following House Committees:
-Appropriations
-Rules, Calendar, and Operations
SB 462 – CON/Threshold Amendments & Certificate Expirations
SB 462 – CON/Threshold Amendments & Certificate Expirations
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Davie, Forsyth); Sen. Jim Perry (R-Lenoir, Wayne); Sen. Jim Burgin (R-Harnett, Johnston, Lee)
Summary
This bill revises several defined terms applicable to certificate of need laws as follows:
- Adjusts the threshold criteria for “diagnostic center” to include a facility, program, or provider in which the total cost of all medical diagnostic equipment used by the facility which cost more than $10K exceeds $1.5M
- Adjusts the threshold criteria for “major medical equipment” to include a unit or system used to provide medical or other health services which cost more than $2M.
- Adjusts the threshold criteria for “new institutional services” to include the obligation of capital expenditure exceeding $4M to develop or expand a health service/facility or relates to the provision of health services.
- Requires the cost threshold amount for all three terms to be adjusted annually beginning September 30, 2022.
- Sets timeline for when a certificate of need issued for the construction of a health service facility will expire if the holder of the certificate of need fails to initiation construction of the project.
Movement
Filed – 4/1/2021
SB 461 – Fund Health Center Programs/Health Disparities
SB 461 – Fund Health Center Programs/Health Disparities
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Gladys Robinson (D-Guilford); Sen. Natalie Murdock (D-Durham); Sen. Mujtaba Mohammed (D-Mecklenburg)
Summary
This bill appropriates $2M in nonrecurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to the Division of Central Management and Support to be equally among the C.W. Williams Community Health Center, the Lincoln Community Health Center, Triad Adult and Pediatric Medicine, and Greene County Healthcare, Inc., to be used to fund programs or initiatives targeting racial and ethnic health disparities in diabetes, high blood pressure, and health conditions attributed to food insecurity.
Movement
Filed – 4/1/2021
SB 460 – Establish PFAS Task Force/Additional Measures
SB 460 – Establish PFAS Task Force/Additional Measures
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Kirk deViere (D-Cumberland); Sen. Natalie Murdock (D-Durham); Sen. Julie Mayfield (D-Buncombe)
Summary
This bill requires the Department of Environmental Quality to establish the PFAS Task Force.
This bill states that the Task Force must:
- Perform a comprehensive scientific identification and analysis of all PFAS, including GenX compounds, and other chemical contaminant of interest found in ground and surface waters, private wells, air, soil, dust, food, and locally produced garden and farm products within the Lower Cape Fear River Basin.
- Identify all public and private parties responsible for the discharge or emissions of such contaminants.
- Develop/implement a Biomonitoring Study Program.
- Consult with other identified research entities to minimize redundancy of efforts.
- Formulate a maximum allowable standard for all PFAS.
Movement
Filed – 4/1/2021
SB 457 – Healthy Families & Workplaces/Paid Sick Days
SB 457 – Healthy Families & Workplaces/Paid Sick Days
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Gladys Robinson (D-Guilford)
Summary
This bill:
- Establishes the Health Families and Healthy Workplaces Act.
- Sets out a series of defined terms.
- Requires paid sick time be provided to an employee for any of the following reasons: (1) to care for the employee’s immediate family member under specified conditions; (2) to care for the employee’s own physical or mental illness, injury, or medical conditions under specified conditions; (3) absence is necessary due to circumstances resulting from the employee, or a family member of the employee, being a victim of stalking or domestic or sexual violence under specified conditions.
- States that paid sick time must begin to accrue at the commencement of employment and must accrue at the rate of one hour of pay for every 30 hours worked.
- Permits an employer to require certification of the qualifying illness, injury, health condition, or violence when paid sick time covers more than 3 consecutive workdays.
- Provides notice requirements for employers.
- Authorizes the Commissioner to enforce and administer the provisions of the Act.
Movement
Filed – 4/1/2021
SB 450 – Carbon Monoxide Detectors/School Buildings
SB 450 – Carbon Monoxide Detectors/School Buildings
Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Michael Lee (R-New Hanover); Sen. Deanna Ballard (R-Alleghany, Ashe, Surry, Watauga, Wilkes); Sen. Lisa Barnes (R-Johnston, Nash)
Summary
This bill requires the State Board of Education to adopt rules requiring all public school buildings to be equipped with carbon monoxide alarms/detectors.
Movement
Filed – 4/1/2021
SB 448 – Amendments to Schedule VI of the CSA
SB 448 – Amendments to Schedule VI of the CSA
Primary Senate Sponsors: Primary Senate Sponsors: Sen. Jim Burgin (R-Harnett, Johnston, Lee); Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Davie, Forsyth); Sen. Jim Perry (R-Lenoir, Wayne)
Summary
This bill allows any prescription drug approved by the FDA that has also been designated, rescheduled, or deleted as a controlled substance under federal law by the DEA to be excluded from Schedule VI, unless the Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services objects.
Movement
Filed – 4/1/2021
HB 479 – Extended Group Coverage/Employee Deceased
HB 479 – Extended Group Coverage/Employee Deceased
Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Cynthia Ball (D-Wake); Rep. Amber Baker (D-Forsyth); Rep. Dean Autry (D-Mecklenburg)
Summary
This bill allows continuation of insurance under a group health insurance policy for 36 months after the date the employee’s/member’s insurance under the policy would have otherwise terminated due to the death of the covered employee.
Movement
Filed – 3/31/2021