HB 961 – Oversight of LME/MCOs/New FTEs within DHHS

HB 961 – Oversight of LME/MCOs/New FTEs within DHHS

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Kandie Smith (D-Pitt); Rep. James Gailliard (D-Nash)

 

Summary

This bill appropriates $181K in recurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year and $181K in recurring funds for the 2022-2023 fiscal year to DHHS to be used to create two new full-time positions within DHHS responsible for the oversight of the LME/MCOs operating in the State.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/11/2021


HB 953 – Funds for School Mental Health Support Persons

HB 953 – Funds for School Mental Health Support Persons

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Terry Brown, Jr. (D-Mecklenburg); Rep. Carla Cunningham (D-Mecklenburg); Rep. Becky Carney (D-Mecklenburg); Rep. Amber Baker (D-Forsyth)

 

 

Summary

This bill makes a series of appropriations to the Department of Public Instruction to be allocated to local school administrative units to increase positions for school counselors, school social workers, and school psychologists to specified ratios per fiscal year.

 

This bill also appropriates $18,800,000 in recurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to the Department of Public Instruction to provide compensation increases for school counselors.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/11/2021


HB 952 – Mental Health Triage Unit Pilot Program

HB 952 – Mental Health Triage Unit Pilot Program

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Terry Brown, Jr. (D-Mecklenburg); Rep. Cynthia Ball (D-Wake); Rep. Becky Carney (D-Mecklenburg); Rep. Amber Baker (D-Forsyth)

 

Summary

This bill requires the State Board of Education to establish the Mental Health Triage Unit Pilot Program to provide funds to establish at least one mental health triage unit, composed of at least one school nurse, school social worker, and one school counselor, in each participating local school administrative unit.

 

This bill also permits each participating local school administrative unit to receive $250K in each fiscal year in which funds are made available to establish and maintain at least one mental health triage unit.

 

This bill also appropriates $2M in recurring funds to the Department of Public Instruction to implement the Mental Health Triage Unit Pilot Program.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/11/2021


HB 950 – Expand Broadband-Unserved/Underserved Areas

HB 950 – Expand Broadband-Unserved/Underserved Areas

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Karl Gillespie (R-Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Macon); Rep. Jason Saine (R-Lincoln); Rep. Brian Farkas (D-Pitt); Rep. Michael Wray (D-Halifax, Northampton)

 

 

Summary

This bill establishes a broadband deployment bid process to connect unserved and underserved households in county locations within one mile of existing broadband infrastructure. Specifically, this bill:

  • Allows counties to identify eligible areas to coordinate with a qualified private provider to expand broadband services to unserved households.
  • Requires counties, when selecting among multiple bidders, to prioritize bids where an eligible provider agrees to provide a minimum of 1 gigabyte per second, symmetrical, within 48 months of project completion and to projects that will provide higher broadband speeds to households in the project area.
  • Establishes the County Broadband Deployment Fund and states that moneys in the Fund may only be allocated for use in connection with bid award agreements entered into between a county and a qualified private provider.
  • Appropriates $25M in nonrecurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to the County Broadband Deployment Fund.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/11/2021


HB 947 – The G.R.E.A.T. Broadband Expansion Act

HB 947 – The G.R.E.A.T. Broadband Expansion Act

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Dean Arp (R-Union); Rep. Donny Lambeth (R-Forsyth); Rep. Jason Saine (R-Lincoln); Rep. Jake Johnson (R-Henderson, Polk, Transylvania)

 

 

 

Summary

This bill:

  • Establishes the Completing Access to Broadband Fund and permits the Secretary of the Department of Information Technology to award grants from the Fund to projects meeting certain specified criteria.
  • Requires the Broadband Infrastructure Office in the Department of Technology to award fixed wireless and satellite broadband grants to eligible broadband service providers for subscriptions to unserved households as follows: (1) up to $1,100 for each satellite broadband subscription, or up to $700 for each fixed wireless subscription, providing broadband speeds of 50 megabits per second download and 3 megabits per second upload, or greater and (2) up to $700 for each satellite broadband subscription, or up to $500 for each wireless subscription, providing less than 50 megabits per second download and 3 megabits per second upload.
  • Makes various changes to the Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology (GREAT) program.
  • Appropriates $400M for the 2021-2022 fiscal year from the funds received by the State pursuant to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to the Completing Access to Broadband Fund in the Department of Technology.
  • Appropriates $12M for the 2021-2022 fiscal year from the funds received by the State pursuant to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to the Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology Fund for fixed wireless and satellite broadband grants.
  • Appropriates $340M for the 2021-2022 fiscal year from the funds received by the State pursuant to the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to the Growing Rural Economies with Access to Technology Fund for broadband infrastructure grants.

Movement

Filed – 5/11/2021


HB 929 – North Carolina Medical Cannabis Act

HB 929 – North Carolina Medical Cannabis Act

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Kelly Alexander, Jr. (D-Mecklenburg); Rep. Pricey Harrison (D-Guilford); Rep. Carla Cunningham (D-Mecklenburg); Rep. Becky Carney (D-Mecklenburg)

 

 

 

Summary

This bill:

  • Defines “medical use of cannabis” as the acquisition, possession, use, internal possession, delivery, transfer, or transportation of cannabis or paraphernalia relating to the administration of cannabis to treat or alleviate a qualified patient’s medical condition or symptoms associated with the medical condition or its treatment.
  • Defines “qualified patient” as a person who has been diagnosed by a physician as having a debilitating medical condition.
  • Defines “written certification” as a statement in a patient’s medical records or a statement signed by a health care provider with whom the patient has a bona fide health care provider-patient relationship indicating that, in the health care provider’s professional opinion, the patient has a medical condition that may benefit from the medical use of cannabis and the potential health benefits of the medical use of cannabis would likely outweigh the health risks for the patient.
  • States that a qualified patient will not be subject to arrest or penalty for the possession or purchase of cannabis for medical use if the quantity of usable cannabis possessed or purchased does not exceed an adequate supply as determined by the qualified patient’s physician and as long as the patient is in possession of a written certification from a physician.
  • Protects a health care provider from being subject to arrest, penalty, or disciplinary action by the NC Medical Board for either of the following: (1) advising a patient about the risks and benefits of the medical use of cannabis or that the patient may benefit from the medical use of cannabis if, in the physician’s medical judgment, the potential benefits of the medical use of cannabis would likely outweigh the health risks for that patient, or (2) providing the patient with written certification, based upon the physician’s assessment of the patient’s medical history and current medical condition, that the potential benefits of the medical use of cannabis would likely outweigh the health risks for that patient.
  • Requires the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to adopt rules for the licensing of persons for the cultivation of medical cannabis and the manufacturing of medical cannabis products.
  • Prohibits using or consuming medical cannabis while driving a motor vehicle or riding as a passenger in a motor vehicle.
  • Prohibits the consumption of medical cannabis or offering to another medical cannabis in public places.
  • Prohibits the possession and consumption of medical cannabis by any person under 18 years of age.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/11/2021


HB 928 – Opioid Overdose Prev. Pilot Programs/Funds

HB 928 – Opioid Overdose Prev. Pilot Programs/Funds

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Timothy Moffitt (R-Henderson); Rep. Kristin Baker, MD (R-Cabarrus); Rep. Wayne Sasser (R-Cabarrus, Rowan, Stanly)

 

 

 

Summary

This bill:

  • Establishes the Opioid Abatement Fund and requires that all funds received by the State as a beneficiary of the final consent judgment resolving the case, State of North Carolina, ex rel. Joshua Stein, Plaintiff v. McKinsey and Company, Inc., to be deposited into the fund.
  • Requires that all moneys in the fund be used to (1) cover the costs incurred by the State in investigating and pursuing the claims in this case and (2) remediate the harms caused to the State and its citizens by the opioid epidemic.
  • Appropriates $4M in nonrecurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year from the Opioid Abatement Fund to the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services to be used to support the establishment and operation of a one-year opioid overdose prevention pilot program that serves the purpose of education the public about opioid use disorder and overdose through public service announcements and the dissemination of other educational materials to the public.
  • Authorizes DHHS to explore the possibility of public-private partnerships to accomplish the purpose of the pilot program.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/11/2021


HB 914 – Support Our Direct Care Workforce

HB 914 – Support Our Direct Care Workforce

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. William Brisson (R-Bladen, Sampson); Rep. Timothy Moffitt (R-Henderson); Rep. Donny Lambeth (R-Forsyth); Rep. Wayne Sasser (R-Cabarrus, Rowan, Stanly)

 

 

 

Summary

This bill:

  • Directs DHHS to provide a rate increase to the following Medicaid providers for services related to the provision of direct care to Medicaid beneficiaries: (1) providers who provide services through certain specified Medicaid waiver programs; (2) personal care services providers; (3) intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities; (4) home health providers; (5) nursing homes; and (6) behavioral health residential facilities.
  • Requires any provider receiving a rate increase to use at least 80% of the funding to increase the wages paid to its direct care employees.
  • Requires DHHS to adjust the per member per month capitation amount paid to local management entities/managed care organizations and to prepaid health plans to include amounts sufficient to implement the same rate increase for providers paid by the LME/MCO or PHP.
  • Appropriates $160M in recurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year and $160M in recurring funds for the 2022-2023 fiscal year to be used to implement the rate increase.
  • Permits the Division of Health Benefits to recoup par of all of the funds related to the rate increase if the Division determines the provider did not use at least 80% of the funds to increase the wages paid to its direct care employees.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/10/2021


HB 909 – Legionnaires’ Disease Prevention Act

HB 909 – Legionnaires’ Disease Prevention Act

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Brian Turner (D-Buncombe)

 

Summary

This bill requires DHHS to instruct owners and operators of certain buildings and facilities that they are required to establish and operate a water management plan that includes validation testing of water to minimize the growth and transmission of Legionella pneumophila in the covered building’s water system consistent with standards of the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers.

 

This bill also requires owners/operators of covered buildings/facilities to conduct Legionella pneumophila culture sampling and analysis of the building’s water system if DHHS determines that one or more cases of Legionnaires’ disease are, or may be associated with, the building or for any other conditions specified in rules developed by DHHS.

 

This bill authorizes the Department of Environmental Quality to instruct each owner and operator of a public water system to (1) assess the risk of Legionella pneumophila in the public water system, (2) implement any necessary mitigations, and (3) implement routine sampling and testing of the public water system for the presence of Legionella pneumophila bacteria.

 

This bill also appropriates $100K in nonrecurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year and $100K in nonrecurring funds for the 2022-2023 fiscal year to the Department of Environmental Quality to be used to conduct testing of the public water system for the presence of Legionella pneumophila bacteria.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/10/2021


HB 908 – Access to Affordable Health Coverage for All

HB 908 – Access to Affordable Health Coverage for All

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Cecil Brockman (D-Guilford); Rep. Verla Insko (D-Orange)

 

Summary

This bill creates a refundable premium tax credit that is (1) designed to help eligible individuals afford health insurance purchased through the federal Health Insurance Marketplace, or the health Benefits Exchange, and (2) modeled after the federal refundable premium tax credit for purchasing health insurance on the Exchange, as provided for under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

 

To be eligible for the premium tax credit, this bill requires State residents to meet the following minimum requirements: (1) the individual has a modified adjusted gross income that is below 100% of the federal poverty level; (2) the individual is at least 19 years old and under age 65; (3) the individual is not entitled to or enrolled in Medicare benefits under Part A or Part B of Title XVIII of the federal Social Security Act; (4) the individual is not eligible for Medicaid coverage or NC Health Choice coverage under the NC State Plan that provides minimum essential coverage; (5) the individual is not eligible for coverage under TRICARE; (6) the individual is not able to obtain affordable coverage through an eligible employer-sponsored plan that provides minimum value and minimum essential coverage.

 

This bill also directs the Secretary of DHHS and the Secretary of the Department of Revenue to design a program to implement the State premium tax credit that does both of the following: (1) estimates the amount of State premium tax credit that an individual will be eligible for in a given tax year, and (2) allows an individual to direct any amount of the estimated State premium tax credit be paid in advance directly to an insurance company offering health benefit plans in this State on the Exchange.

 

This bill also appropriates $100K in nonrecurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to DHHS  and $100K in nonrecurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to the Department of Revenue for the purposes of designing a program to implement the State premium tax credit.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/10/2021


HB 896 – Fair & Equitable Reimbursement/Pharmacists

HB 896 – Fair & Equitable Reimbursement/Pharmacists

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Mitchell Setzer (R-Catawba)

 

Summary

This bill requires health benefit plans offered by insurers in NC to reimburse a pharmacist at the same rate that other health care providers are reimbursed when providing the same or equivalent health care services or procedures as long as all of the following conditions are met: (1) the service or procedure was performed within the pharmacist’s licensed lawful scope of practice; (2) the health benefit plan would have provided reimbursement if the service or procedure had been performed by another health care provider; and (3) the pharmacist provided the service or procedure in compliance with any requirements of the insurer related to the service or procedure.

 

This bill also requires insurers offering health benefit plans in NC that delegate credentialing agreements to contracted health care facilities to accept credentialing for pharmacists employed or contracted with those facilities.

 

This bill also requires insurers offering health benefit plans in NC to reimburse a contracted health care facility or a contracted pharmacist directly for covered services performed by a pharmacist within that pharmacist’s lawful scope of practice regardless of whether the pharmacist is a participating provider in the insurer’s provider network.

 

This bill also appropriates $100K in nonrecurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to the Department of Insurance to be used for implementation of the above provisions.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/5/2021


HB 884 – Establish NC Institute for Public Policy

HB 884 – Establish NC Institute for Public Policy

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Terence Everitt (D-Wake); Rep. Raymond Smith, Jr. (D-Sampson, Wayne); Rep. James Gailliard (D-Nash)

 

Summary

This bill establishes the NC Institute of Public Policy within the School of Public and International Affairs at NC State University and states that the Institute’s purpose is to provide the State’s policymakers with timely, useful, and practical research.

 

This bill also makes a series of appropriations to fund full-time positions and operating expenses of the Institute.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/4/2021


HB 882 – Behavioral Health Services for Students

HB 882 – Behavioral Health Services for Students

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Zack Hawkins (D-Durham)

 

Summary

This bill allows public school units to permit behavioral health providers to provide behavioral health services to a student on school property during the instructional day if certain specified conditions are met.

Movement

Filed – 5/4/2021


HB 881 – Licensed Psychological Association Supervision

HB 881 – Licensed Psychological Association Supervision

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Zack Hawkins (D-Durham)

 

Summary

This bill allows licensed psychological associates to practice without required supervision by a qualified licensed psychologist if the licensed psychological associate meets all of the following requirements: (1) has 3,000 hours of post-graduate degree experience in the delivery of psychological services under the supervision of one or more qualified licensed psychologists within a time period of at least 24 consecutive months and less than 60 consecutive months; and (2) submits an application for independent practice with proof of the required supervision experience.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/4/2021


HB 879 – LME/MCO Funds Transfer/Partners Additional Funding

HB 879 – LME/MCO Funds Transfer/Partners Additional Funding

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Kristin Baker, MD (R-Cabarrus); Rep. Dean Arp (R-Union); Rep. David Willis (R-Union)

 

Summary

This bill appropriates $10M in nonrecurring funds in the 2021-2022 fiscal year to DHHS to be allocated to the local management entity/managed care organization Partners Health Management to be used for staff training and development of its health care provider networks.

 

When any county disengages from one area authority and realigns with another area authority, this bill also requires a portion of the fund balance and risk reserve of the area authority from which the county is disengaging to be transferred to the area authority with which the county is realigning in a specified manner.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/4/2021


HB 876 – Vaccination Private Choice Protection Act

HB 876 – Vaccination Private Choice Protection Act

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Timothy Moffitt (R-Henderson); Rep. Harry Warren (R-Rowan); Rep. Keith Kidwell (R-Beaufort, Craven); Rep. Mitchell Setzer (R-Catawba)

 

 

 

Summary

This bill:

  • Prohibits any public health authority in the State from issuing an order requiring any individual to submit to a COVID-19 vaccination if such action is medically contraindicated for the individual or if receiving a vaccination is against the individual’s religious or philosophical beliefs.
  • Prohibits health care providers from requiring patients to provide permission to use or disclose the patient’s protected health information for marketing or other business purposes or to waive any of the rights provided by certain specified federal regulations as a condition of receiving the vaccination.
  • Prohibits discrimination based on COVID-19 vaccination status by the State, any entity receiving State funding, employers, and public accommodations.
  • Permits an entity, employer, or public accommodation to institute a policy or practice requiring an individual to receive a COVID-19 vaccination or verify the person’s vaccination status provided all of the following apply: (1) the individual is notified that the individual may decline to be vaccinated, may decline to verify the person’s vaccination status, or both; (2) the individual may decline to receive a vaccine, decline to verify the person’s vaccination status, or both, based on a medical contraindication or other condition requiring a reasonable accommodation, natural immunity, or reasons of conscience including a sincerely held religious belief; (3) if the individual is a minor, the minor’s parent or legal guardian may decline to have the minor receive a vaccination, decline to verify the minor’s vaccination status, or both.
  • Prohibits public agencies from issuing or establishing COVID-19 vaccine passports.
  • Prohibits employers from inquiring whether an employee/prospective employee has received vaccination of a drug approved the FDA only for emergency use.
  • Prohibits employers from requiring employees to receive a vaccination of a drug approved by the FDA only for emergency use as a condition of employment.
  • Prohibits employers from discharging or discriminating against an employee who opposes a workplace vaccination program to administer a drug approved the FDA only for emergency use.
  • Prohibits the Governor from requiring or mandating that any person receive a vaccination by operation of executive order.
  • Prohibits State agencies from adopting rules mandating vaccinations as a condition of the receipt, renewal, or reinstatement of a license by an agency.
  • Prohibits educational institutions from asking whether an individual has received a vaccination as a condition of attendance.
  • Prohibits discrimination against hospital patients, physicians, medical residents, and interns on the basis of vaccination status.
  • Prohibits discrimination against adult care home residents and nursing home residents based on vaccination status.
  • Prohibits discrimination in public spaces on the basis of vaccination status.
  • Prohibits an insurer from refusing to insure or refusing to continue to insure an individual, limit the amount of coverage available to an individual, or charge the individual a different rate solely because of an individual’s vaccination status.

 

 

Movement

Filed – 5/4/2021


HB 875 – Enact KinCare and Safe Days

HB 875 – Enact KinCare and Safe Days

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Ashton Clemmons (D-Guilford); Rep. Carla Cunningham (D-Mecklenburg); Rep. Gale Adcock (D-Wake); Rep. Vernetta Alston (D-Durham)

 

Summary

This bill requires employers who provide compensated or uncompensated job protected sick leave to permit an employee to use the employee’s accrued and available sick leave entitlement to attend to the care of a family member for up to five days.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/4/2021


HB 871 – Informed Consent/Certain Procedures

HB 871 – Informed Consent/Certain Procedures

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Gale Adcock (D-Wake); Rep. Kristin Baker, MD (R-Cabarrus); Rep. Julie von Haefen (D-Wake)

 

Summary

This bill prohibits a health care provider or trainee from performing or supervising the performance of a pelvic or rectal examination on an anesthetized or unconscious patient unless one of the following conditions is met: (1) the patient or the patient’s legal guardian/designated health care agent provides prior informed consent to a pelvic or rectal examination; (2) the patient is incapable of providing informed consent and the pelvic or rectal examination is necessary for diagnostic or treatment purposes; or (3) an emergency exists at the time of the examination and it is impractical to obtain the patient’s consent, and the pelvic or rectal examination is necessary for diagnostic or treatment purposes.

 

This bill also specifies the process to be followed to obtain consent, including providing the patient with a written or electronic document that includes certain specified requirements and obtaining the patient’s or the patient’s representative’s signature.

 

This bill also states that any individual who violates these requirements shall be guilty of a Class A1 misdemeanor.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/4/2021


HB 868 – Telehealth Licensure Reciprocity

HB 868 – Telehealth Licensure Reciprocity

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Donny Lambeth (R-Forsyth); Rep. Larry Potts (R-Davidson); Rep. Wayne Sasser (R-Cabarrus, Rowan, Stanly); Rep. Kristin Baker, MD (R-Cabarrus)

 

Summary

This bill permits the NC Medical Board to issue a license to practice medicine through telehealth services to an applicant who satisfies all of the following requirements: (1) holds a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in another state; (2) registers with the Board through a application form prescribed by the Board; (3) does not have any current or pending disciplinary action against the applicant’s license; (4) has not been the subject of disciplinary action relating to the applicant’s licensure to practice medicine during the five-year period preceding the application’s submission; (5) designates a duly appointed registered agent for service of process in NC; (6) maintains professional liability coverage or financial responsibility which includes coverage for telehealth services provided to patients not located in the provider’s home state in an amount equal to or greater than the requirements for an individual licensed to practice in NC; (7) does not have an office in NC and does not currently provide in-person health care services to patients located in NC; (8) practices medicine in a manner consistent with the applicant’s scope of practice and the prevailing professional standard of care for a health care professional who provides in-person health care services to patients in NC.

 

This bill also specifies other requirements for telehealth services licensees, including documentation and patient history requirements.

 

This bill exempts a person licensed to practice medicine in another state who provides telehealth services to a patient located in NC in response to an emergency medical condition of the patient or in consultation with a health care professional licensed in NC who has supervisory and ultimate authority over the diagnosis and health care of the patient.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/4/2021


HB 864 – Driver Education/Drug & Alcohol Awareness

HB 864 – Driver Education/Drug & Alcohol Awareness

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Charles Graham (D-Robeson)

 

Summary

This bill establishes a mandatory course in drug and alcohol abuse awareness for unlicensed persons eighteen years and older who are first-time drivers.

 

This bill also requires $200K of the funds appropriated from the Highway Fund to the Department of Transportation for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to be used by the Department to fund the mandatory course.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/4/2021


HB 862 – Improve Access to Patient Care

HB 862 – Improve Access to Patient Care

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Wayne Sasser (Cabarrus, Rowan, Stanly)

 

Summary

This bill makes a series of revisions to statutes governing clinical pharmacist practitioners. Specifically, this bill:

  • Defines “clinical pharmacist practitioner” as a licensed pharmacist who meets all of the following requirements: (1) provides collaborative care in accordance with written collaborative practice agreement with one or more physicians; (2) has registered with the NC Board of Pharmacy Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner Registry; (3) meets and maintains the required annual professional development requirements; (4) maintains good standing with the Board of Pharmacy; and (5) practices in accordance with statutory requirements and rules established by the joint subcommittee of the NC Medical Board and the NC Board of Pharmacy.
  • Defines collaborative care services as “patient care services authorized by a physician and delegated to a pharmacist for the purpose of drug therapy and disease management” and further specifies that under a collaborative practice agreement, “a supervising physician may delegate to a licensed pharmacist any patient care services that the supervising physician deems appropriate.”
  • Permits clinical pharmacist practitioners to provide patient care services provided that (1) the NC Medical Board and NC Board of Pharmacy have adopted rules developed by a joint subcommittee governing the use and oversight of collaborative practice in patient care settings and that the Boards must determine to be in the best interest of patient health and safety and (2) the clinical pharmacist practitioner is registered with the NC Board of Pharmacy and maintains annual requirements.
  • Requires the supervising physician to evaluate the provision of collaborative care services consistent with rules established by the Medical Board and Board of Pharmacy.
  • Specifies that any drug therapy order for medications, tests, or devices written by a clinical pharmacist practitioner shall be deemed to have been authorized by the collaborating physician.
  • Requires the supervising physician to conduct periodic review and evaluation of the clinical pharmacist practitioner’s prescribing patterns.
  • Permits institutional and group practice to implement an institution-wide, multiprovider collaborative practice agreement for the care of patients provided the practice develops a policy for oversight and the clinical pharmacist practitioners engaged in the agreement are evaluated by an appointed supervising physician.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/4/2021


HB 858 – Permit Cannabis Medical Research Studies

HB 858 – Permit Cannabis Medical Research Studies

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Grier Martin (D-Wake); Rep. John Faircloth (R-Guilford); Rep. Mary Belk (D-Mecklenburg)

Summary

This bill:

  • Establishes the NC Cannabis Alternative Treatment Act to permit the use of cannabis as an alternative treatment for medical conditions.
  • Requires DHHS to create a Cannabis Alternative Treatment database registry for the registration of physicians, caregivers, and patients.
  • Requires a written certification or statement signed by a patient’s physician that, in the physician’s professional opinion, the patient has a medical condition and the potential health benefits of the medical use of cannabis would likely outweigh the health risks for the patient.
  • Permits physicians to approve dispensation of cannabis acquired from another jurisdiction to a registered caregiver.
  • Provides civil, criminal, and disciplinary immunity for physicians who approve or recommend the use of cannabis or provide a written certification for the use of cannabis.
  • Establishes the NC Cannabis Research Program, which would permit any physician who issues a written certification to a patient to be allowed to participate in objective scientific research regarding the administration of cannabis as part of medical treatment.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/4/2021


HB 855 – Give Clinical Researchers HIE Network Access

HB 855 – Give Clinical Researchers HIE Network Access

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Verla Insko (D-Orange); Rep. Jon Hardister (R-Guilford); Rep. Carla Cunningham (D-Mecklenburg)

Summary

This bill permits a clinical researcher who is conducting or preparing to conduct a clinical investigation approved by an institutional review board to connect to the HIE Network to access protected health information about participants who are enrolled, or applicants who are seeking to enroll, in the clinical investigation provided that the clinical researcher demonstrates compliance with the following criteria: (1) has obtained a signed release from each applicant/participant; (2) is financially independent from the funding sponsor of the clinical investigation; (3) agrees to access the HIE Network on a per-individual basis; and (4) agrees to limit the use of each applicant’s/participant’s protected health information to one or more specified purposes.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/4/2021


HB 843 – Certificate of Need Modifications

HB 843 – Certificate of Need Modifications

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Harry Warren (R-Rowan); Rep. Keith Kidwell (R-Beaufort, Craven); Rep. William Richardson (D-Cumberland); Rep. Wayne Sasser (R-Cabarrus, Rowan, Stanly)

 

 

 

Summary

This bill:

  • Modifies a series of defined terms.
  • Exempts from certificate of need review a new institutional health service if DHHS receives prior written notice from the entity stating that the new service is required to develop, acquire, construct, expand, or release a health service facility or service that obtained certificate of need approval prior to January 1, 2022 as an ambulatory surgical facility.
  • Exempts from certificate of need review a capital expenditure that exceeds $4M if certain specified conditions are met.
  • Exempts from certificate of need review services or facilities for which a certificate of need has already been issued when those services or facilities are replaced, renovated, or relocated to another site in the same county where need was originally determined.
  • Exempts from certificate of need review the construction, development, acquisition, or establishment of an ambulatory surgical facility in a county with a population of 100K or more if certain specified conditions are met.
  • Specifies when a certificate of need for the construction of a health service facility expires if the holder of the certificate of need fails to initiate construction of the project within specified time frames.
  • Prohibits DHHS from issuing or renewing a license to operate an ambulatory surgical facility developed, acquired, or replaced on or after January 1, 2022 unless the license application includes (1) a commitment that the Medicare allowable amount for self-pay and Medicaid surgical cases minus all revenue collected from self-pay and Medicaid surgical cases will be equal to either 4% of the total revenue collected for all surgical cases performed in the facility/proposed facility or the percentage of charity care ambulatory surgery services provided by the affiliated hospital, whichever is greater; (2) a commitment to report total number of cases for certain specified payer categories for each year of operation; and (3) a commitment to report utilization and payment data for services provided by the facility to the statewide data processor.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/4/2021


HB 841 – DHHS Compliance Review/Jail Suicide Attempts

HB 841 – DHHS Compliance Review/Jail Suicide Attempts

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Carla Cunningham (D-Mecklenburg); Rep. Amos Quick, III (D-Guilford); Rep. Raymond Smith, Jr. (D-Sampson, Wayne); Rep. Kandie Smith (D-Pitt)

 

Summary

This bill requires DHHS to conduct a suicide prevention program compliance review following a report of an attempted suicide by an inmate in the custody of a local confinement facility in the state.

 

This bill appropriates $186,702 in recurring funds for each year of the 2021-2023 fiscal biennium to DHHS to be used to hire two full-time Jail Inspectors.

 

This bill also appropriates $110,296 in recurring funds for each year of the 2021-2023 fiscal biennium to DHHS to be used to hire a full-time Facility Compliance Consultant to perform compliance reviews of each reported attempted suicide.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/4/2021


HB 818 – Regulate Cannabinoid Products

HB 818 – Regulate Cannabinoid Products

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Wayne Sasser (R-Cabarrus, Rowan, Stanly); Rep. Chris Humphrey (R-Lenoir, Pitt); Rep. Jeffrey McNeely (R-Iredell)

 

Summary

This bill requires the Board of Agriculture to adopt rules to establish a voluntary certification program for practices related to manufacturing, packaging, or labeling operations for cannabinoid-related compounds derived from hemp.

 

This bill also prohibits the manufacture, sale, delivery, holding or offering for sale of any cannabinoid-related compounds that are falsely certified.

 

This bill also specifies that hemp-containing products are not considered to be adulterated or misbranded solely based on the inclusion of hemp or any hemp derivative.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/4/2021


HB 817 – Allow Pharmacists to Dispense Contraceptives

HB 817 – Allow Pharmacists to Dispense Contraceptives

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Julie von Haefen (D-Wake); Rep. Deb Butler (D-New Hanover); Rep Susan Fisher (D-Buncombe)

 

 

Summary

This bill

  • Requires the State Health Director to issue a statewide standing order authorizing licensed pharmacists to dispense self-administered hormonal contraceptives. The State Health Director must consult with the NC Medical Board, the NC Board of Pharmacy, and DHHS to develop written protocols to dispense a self-administered hormonal contraceptive, including: (1) a risk assessment questionnaire, (2) requirements for the written records of the request, and (3) the length of time a written record must be maintained by the pharmacist.
  • Requires the statewide standing order to detail information the dispensing pharmacist must give to the patient concerning the contraceptive, including: (1) the importance of obtaining recommended tests and screening from the patient’s primary care provider or other provider who specializes in women’s health; (2) the effectiveness of long-acting reversible contraceptives as an alternative to self-administered hormonal contraceptives; (3) when to seek emergency medical services as a result of administering a self-administered hormonal contraceptive, and (4) the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection and ways to reduce that risk.
  • Authorizes a licensed pharmacist to dispense a self-administered hormonal contraceptive to an individual if the contraceptive is administered in compliance with a statewide standing order issued by the State Health Director.
  • Requires pharmacists to provide a risk assessment questionnaire to any patient who requests the questionnaire prior to dispensing the self-administered hormonal contraceptive. If the pharmacist determines that it is unsafe to dispense the self-administered hormonal contraceptive after reviewing the completed questionnaire, the pharmacist must not dispense the contraceptive and must refer the patient to the patient’s primary care provider or another qualified health care provider.
  • Requires pharmacists who dispense a contraceptive to create and maintain records, inform the patients about the proper administration and storage of the contraceptive, potential side effects, and the need to use other methods of contraception if appropriate. Pharmacists must also provide certain specified information, including a copy of patient records and a copy of the risk assessment questionnaire completed by the patient upon request by the patient.
  • Requires insurers providing health benefit plans to provide coverage for nonprescription contraceptive drugs, devices, and products.
  • Prohibits health benefit plans from imposing any deductible, coinsurance, copayment, or other cost-sharing requirement on coverage for prescription contraception drugs or devices, including any self-administered hormonal contraceptive.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/4/2021


HB 816 – Broadband Empowerment Act

HB 816 – Broadband Empowerment Act

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Brian Farkas (D-Pitt); Rep. Jason Saine (R-Montgomery, Richmond, Stanly); Rep. Jake Johnson (R-Henderson, Polk, Transylvania); Rep. Rachel Hunt (D-Mecklenburg)

 

Summary

This bill authorizes the Department of Transportation to construct conduit for telecommunications cables within the State right-of-way where such construction and leasing is not otherwise prohibited by any other federal or State law.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/4/2021


HB 809 – NC Healthy Family Act

HB 809 – NC Healthy Family Act

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Carla Cunningham (D-Mecklenburg); Rep. Raymond Smith, Jr. (D-Sampson, Wayne); Rep. Linda Cooper-Suggs (D-Wilson); Rep. James Gailliard (D-Nash)

 

Summary

This bill expands access to Medicare benefits to individuals between the ages of 19 and 65 with modified adjusted gross incomes that are at or below 133% of the federal poverty guidelines.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/4/2021


HB 800 – Women’s Cancer Research & Prevention Task Force

HB 800 – Women’s Cancer Research & Prevention Task Force

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Becky Carney (D-Mecklenburg); Rep. Mary Belk (D-Mecklenburg); Rep. Kristin Baker, MD (R-Cabarrus); Rep. Susan Fisher (D-Buncombe)

 

Summary

This bill establishes the Women’s Cancer Research and Prevention Task Force within DHHS and specifies the Task Force’s duties, including to identify evidence-based strategies for controlling risks and preventing cancer development in women, adopt and promote a statewide comprehensive Women’s Cancer Prevention Plan, identify and facilitate commitments to implement the Plan, and to identify, facilitate, and promote cancer research.

 

This bill also establishes additional details regarding the Task Force such as membership, quorum requirement, and compensation for Task Force members.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/3/2021


HB 793 – STOP Act Amendment

HB 793 – STOP Act Amendment

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Wayne Sasser (R-Cabarrus, Rowan, Stanly)

 

Summary

This bill prohibits practitioners from prescribing more than a three-day supply (was five -day supply) of any targeted controlled substance upon the initial consultation and treatment of a patient for acute pain unless the prescription is for post-operative acute pain relief for use immediately following a surgical procedure.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/3/2021


HB 791 – Licensed Counselors Interstate Compact

HB 791 – Licensed Counselors Interstate Compact

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Diane Wheatley (R-Cumberland); Rep. John Szoka (R-Cumberland); Rep. Grier Martin (D-Wake); Rep. Gale Adcock (D-Wake)

 

Summary

This bill:

  • Establishes the Professional Counseling Licensure Compact.
  • States that the purpose of the Compact is to facilitate interstate practice of licensed professional counselors with the goal of improving public access to professional counseling services.
  • Specifies the Compact’s key objectives.
  • Specifies the requirements for a state to participate in the Compact.
  • Sets out the requirements for a licensee to exercise the privilege to practice under the terms and provisions of the Compact.
  • Requires licensed professional counselors to hold only one home state license in only one member state at a time and requires licenses to take certain actions when changing his or her primary state of residence.
  • Establishes the Counseling Compact Commission and specifies required details related to the Commission’s membership, duties, Executive Committee, meetings, and financing.
  • Authorizes the Commission to promulgate reasonable rules in order to effectively and efficiently achieve the purposes of the Compact.
  • Requires member states to recognize the right of a licensed professional counselor, licensed by a home state and under the rules promulgated by the Commission, to practice professional counseling in any member state via telehealth under a privilege to practice as provided in the Compact.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/3/2021


HB 788 – Achieve Better Mental Health Recovery Results

HB 788 – Achieve Better Mental Health Recovery Results

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. John Autry (D-Mecklenburg); Rep. Donny Lambeth (R-Forsyth); Rep. Wayne Sasser (R-Cabarrus, Rowan, Stanly); Rep. Terry Brown, Jr. (D-Mecklenburg)

 

Summary

This bill:

  • Appropriates $600K in nonrecurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to DHHS to be allocated to the Promise Resource Network for the establishment for four peer-run wellness centers to address mental health crises prevention and post-crisis response.
  • Establishes the position of Mental Health Recovery Policy Chief within the Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services.
  • Tasks the Chief with ensuring that mental health recovery values and outcomes are drivers of State policy.

Requires the Division to publish a biennial NC Mental Health Recovery and Resiliency Agenda on its website.

Requires the Chief to ensure that individuals with personal experiences of mental health recovery inform the development of the Agenda.

Appropriates $100K in recurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year and $100K in recurring funds for the 2022-2023 fiscal year to the Division to be used to fund the salary and benefits for the Chief position.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/3/2021


HB 786 – Enhance Local Response/Mental Health Crises

HB 786 – Enhance Local Response/Mental Health Crises

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. John Autry (D-Mecklenburg); Rep. Donny Lambeth (R-Forsyth); Rep. Donna White (R-Johnston); Rep. Cynthia Ball (D-Wake)

 

Summary

This bill appropriates $2M in nonrecurring funds in the 2021-2022 fiscal year to the Department of Public Safety to be distributed as grants to municipal police departments and county sheriff’s’ offices for at least one of the following purposes: (1) to establish nonpolice units to address nonviolent, noncriminal 911 calls regarding mental health, homelessness, substance use, or other behavioral health crises; 92) to establish co-responder response models in which law enforcement personnel and mental health specialists jointly respond to 911 calls regarding mental or behavioral health crises; or (3) to establish a mental health division or to bolster existing mental health services within a police department or sheriff’s office and to increase the amount of law enforcement personnel and 911 communications personnel that have received Crisis Intervention Training.

 

This bill also requires the grants to be awarded to police departments and sheriff’s offices that have active response models for mental or behavioral health crises or that are developing response models that will be in use on or before January 1, 2022.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/3/2021


HB 780 – End of Life Option Act

HB 780 – End of Life Option Act

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Pricey Harrison (D – Guilford); Rep. Jon Hardister (R-Guilford); Rep. John Faircloth (R-Guilford); Rep. Susan Fisher (D-Buncombe)

 

Summary

This bill establishes the End of Life Option Act. This Act:

  • Defines a “qualified individual” as an adult who meets all of the following qualifications: (1) is a resident of NC; (2) has the capacity to make medical decisions; (3) has the physical and mental ability to self-administer a terminal comfort care drug; (4) has been diagnosed by an attending physician as suffering from a terminal illness; (5) has undergone a hospice evaluation; (6) has expressed verbally and in writing the desire to receive a prescription for a terminal comfort care drug; (7) is acting voluntarily and without coercion or duress; has documented a request pursuant to statutory requirements on a specific form; and, (8) satisfies additional statutory requirements to obtain a terminal comfort care drug.
  • Defines a “terminal disease” as “an incurable and irreversible disease that, having previously been determined, has been medically confirmed by the attending physician and will, within reasonable medical judgment, result in death within six months.”
  • Provides an individual suffering from a terminal disease with the right to be informed of all available end-of-life options related to terminal care and to receive answers to questions about the foreseeable risks and benefits of medication without the physician withholding any requested information.
  • Establishes a process under which a qualified individual may request a prescription for a terminal comfort care drug.
  • Requires a request for a terminal comfort care drug to be made verbally and in writing and further specifies requirements for a sufficient written request.
  • Provides a statutory form to be used for a request for a terminal comfort care drug.
  • Provides a statutory form to be used by the attending witness at the time of self-administration of a prescribed terminal comfort care drug.
  • States that a qualified individual may at any time discontinue, withdraw, or rescind his or her request for a terminal comfort care drug.
  • Specifies responsibilities for the attending physician including the following requirements before prescribing a terminal comfort care drug: (1) make an initial determination that the individual requesting the drug has the capacity to make medical decisions, has a terminal disease, had undergone hospice evaluation which the attending physician has reviewed, and has voluntarily made a request on the statutorily required form; (2) confirm that the individual is making an informed decision by discussing certain specified issues with the patient; (3) confirm that the individual’s request does not arrive from coercion or undue influence through discussion with the patient; (4) provide certain specified information required by statute; (5) offers the patient an opportunity to withdraw or rescind the request; (6) inform the patient of the right to withdraw or rescind the request at any time; (7) verify, immediately prior to writing the prescription for a terminal comfort care drug, that the patient is making an informed decision and is in no way acting under undue coercion or undue influence; (8) confirm that all statutory requirements have been met before writing the prescription; (9) fulfill all statutory documentation requirements; (10) complete the Attending Physician Checklist and Compliance Form and the Supplemental Attending Physician Form and include it in the individual’s medical record; and (11) provide the individual with a copy of the Attending Witness Completion Form with instructions for how the Form should be completed and returned to the physician.
  • Specifies the manner in which the attending physician must deliver the terminal comfort care drug.
  • Specifies the responsibilities for the mental health specialist upon referral from the attending physician.
  • Establishes documentation requirements for the qualified individual’s medical record.
  • Requires certain documentation to be submitted to DHHS.
  • Provides civil and criminal liability for good-faith participation in the activities covered by the Act.
  • Specifies that participation in activities authorized by the Act is strictly voluntary.
  • Requires DHHS to collect and maintain certain specified information related to the activities covered by the Act.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/3/2021


HB 779 – Coronavirus Vaccine Bill of Rights

HB 779 – Coronavirus Vaccine Bill of Rights

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Mark Pless (R-Haywood, Madison, Yancey)

 

 

 

Summary

This bill:

  • Prohibits any person from being mandated, coerced, forced, or pressured to take a coronavirus vaccine.
  • States that every person has the right to determine what is in their own best medical interest without threat to their livelihood, education, or freedom of movement.
  • Prohibits employers of health care providers licensed to administer a coronavirus vaccine from requesting their health care providers promote any of the coronavirus vaccines to patients.
  • Requires health care providers who administer any of the coronavirus vaccines to attest to certain specified information with respect to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System database.
  • States that all persons are entitled to have access to unbiased, independent information about the coronavirus vaccines to assist them in determining what is in their own best medical interest.
  • Prohibits any person from being required to provide proof of having received a coronavirus vaccine as a condition of doing any of the following: (1) entering any public buildings, lands, or spaces; (2) participating in any public events; (3) accessing any public transportation; (4) attending any public school or educational institution; (4) obtaining or maintaining employment with any public or private employer.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/3/2021


HB 777 – Expand Project C.A.R.E./Funds

HB 777 – Expand Project C.A.R.E./Funds

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Julie von Haefen (D-Wake); Rep. Linda Cooper-Suggs (D-Wilson)

 

 

Summary

This bill appropriates $575K in recurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year and the sum of $525K  in recurring funds for the 2022-2023 fiscal year to the Division of Aging and Adult Services to expand the Project Caregiver Alternatives to Running on Empty Program, which provides support to individuals with dementia and their caregivers.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/3/2021


HB 776 – Remote Online Notarization Act

HB 776 – Remote Online Notarization Act

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Destin Hall (R-Caldwell); Rep. Ted Davis, Jr. (R- New Hanover); Rep. Jon Hardister (R-Guilford); Rep. Robert Reives, II (D-Chatham, Durham)

 

Summary

This bill would allow the following types of notarial acts to be performed by means of communication technology: (1) acknowledgments; (2) jurats; (3) verifications or proofs; and (4) oaths or affirmations.

 

This bill also defines the manner of communication technology to be used during remote online notarization, establishes when a notary is authorized to perform a remote online notarial act, establishes the requirements and procedures for remote online notarial acts, specifies how a notary must verify identification, and requires remote online notaries to comply with certain specified security requirements.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/3/2021


HB 772 – Long-Term Care for NC Veterans

HB 772 – Long-Term Care for NC Veterans

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Brian Farkas (D-Pitt); Rep. George Cleveland (R-Onslow); Rep. Dennis Riddell (R-Alamance); Rep. Edward Goodwin (R-Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Perquimans, Tyrell, Washington)

 

Summary

This bill directs DHHS to conduct a comprehensive study of the long-term care needs of veterans in the State in collaboration with the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and requires DHHS to submit a report of its findings no later than February 15, 2022.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/3/2021


HB 770 – Realign Enforcement/HIE Network Participation

HB 770 – Realign Enforcement/HIE Network Participation

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Verla Insko (D-Orange)

 

Summary

This bill exempts the NC State Health Plan from the enforcement mechanism that requires the withholding of state funds from entities that fail to comply with the mandatory connection and submission requirements of the statewide health information exchange network.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/3/2021


HB 764 – ACH/Infection Prevention Requirements

HB 764 – ACH/Infection Prevention Requirements

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Michael Wray (D-Halifax, Northampton)

 

 

Summary

This bill updates certain adult care home infection prevention requirements. Specifically, this bill:

  • Broadens the infection prevention requirements to prevent the transmission of all infectious diseases. (Was previously limited to HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and other bloodborne pathogens.)
  • Requires facilities to implement and maintain a written infection prevention and control policy consistent with national standards on infection control, which must be accessible to all adult care home staff working in the facility.
  • Requires the facility to ensure implementation of the infection control and prevention policy when a communicable disease outbreak has been identified at a facility or when there is an emerging infectious disease threat.

 

Movement

Filed – 5/3/2021


HB 752 – Amend Controlled Substances Act

HB 752 – Amend Controlled Substances Act

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Hugh Blackwell (R-Burke); Rep. Wayne Sasser (R-Cabarrus, Rowan, Stanly); Rep. Carson Smith (R-Columbus, Pender); Rep. Sarah Stevens (R-Alleghany, Surry, Wilkes)

 

Summary

This bill makes several modifications to the Controlled Substances Act, including the following changes:

  • Defines “isomer” to mean the optical isomer unless otherwise specified.
  • Amends the definition of “narcotic drug” to specify the term includes cocaine and any isomer whether optical or geometric.
  • Adds new substances to those classified as Schedule I and IV controlled substances.
  • Makes possession of fentanyl or carfentanil or any salt, isomer, compound, or derivative thereof, or the chemical equivalent, a Class I felony.

 

Movement

Filed – 4/29/2021


HB 750 – Exempt Physician-Acquired MRIs from CON Review

HB 750 – Exempt Physician-Acquired MRIs from CON Review

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Edward Goodwin (R-Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Perquimans, Tyrrell, Washington); Rep. Mike Clampitt (R-Haywood, Jackson, Swain); Rep. Keith Kidwell (R-Beaufort, Craven); Rep. Larry Potts (R-Davidson)

 

Summary

This bill requires DHHS to exempt from certificate of need review the acquisition of a magnetic resonance imaging scanner by purchase, donation, lease, transfer, or comparable arrangement by any specialty or multispecialty professional corporation of physicians licensed to practice medicine if the following conditions are met:

  1. The magnetic resonance imaging scanner will only be used for the patients of the same physician practice or group.
  2. The single specialty or multispecialty physician practice or group proposing to acquire a magnetic resonance imaging scanner must provide prior written notice and supporting documentation to demonstrate that it meets the exemption criteria to DHHS.

 

Movement

Filed – 4/29/2021


HB 749 – Healthy Students – School Psychs/COVID-19

HB 749 – Healthy Students – School Psychs/COVID-19

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Cynthia Ball (D-Wake); Rep. Donny Lambeth (R-Forsyth); Rep. Kristin Baker, MD (R-Cabarrus); Rep. Raymond Smith, Jr. (D-Sampson, Wayne)

 

Summary

This bill:

  • Provides school psychologists with an additional $10K per year in addition to the salary provided in accordance with the “A” Teachers Salary Schedule for the 2021-2022 fiscal year.
  • Provides school psychologists who have NCSP certification with a salary supplement each month of 12% of their monthly salary.
  • Appropriates $14,000,664 in recurring funds to the Department of Public Instruction for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to provide compensation increases for school psychologists.
  • Requires the State Board of Education to establish the Psychologists Recruitment and Retention Program to recruit high-quality school psychologists to identified public school units and retain high-quality school psychologists in identified public school units by providing signing and retention bonuses to select school psychologists.
  • Appropriates $650K in recurring funds to the Department of Public Instruction for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to establish and implement the Psychologists Recruitment and Retention Program.
  • Appropriates $4,526,550 in recurring funds to the Department of Public Instruction for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to provide certain specified monthly stipends to up to 100 school psychology interns.

 

Movement

Filed – 4/29/2021


HB 747 – Merge NC Health Choice & Medicaid

HB 747 – Merge NC Health Choice & Medicaid

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Ashton Clemmons (D-Guilford); Rep. Gale Adcock (D-Wake); Rep. Carla Cunningham (D-Mecklenburg); Rep. Julie von Haefen (D-Wake)

 

Summary

This bill:

  • Directs DHHS to submit any necessary State Plan amendments to CMS for the merger of the NC Health Choice program into the NC Medicaid program on January 1, 2022, resulting in the elimination of NC Health Choice.
  • States that all children currently eligible for NC Health Choice would be eligible for Medicaid following the elimination of NC Health Choice.
  • Appropriates $134K in nonrecurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to the Division of Health Benefits to be used to make the necessary IT changes to the NC FAST system used to determine eligibility and enroll beneficiaries in the NC Medicaid program.
  • Modifies Medicaid eligibility categories and income thresholds effective January 1, 2022.
  • Makes a series of technical and conforming changes to statutes referencing the NC Health Choice program.

 

Movement

Filed – 4/29/2021


HB 742 – New Broughton Hospital Maintenance

HB 742 – New Broughton Hospital Maintenance

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Hugh Blackwell (R-Burke)

 

Summary

This bill appropriates $1.6M for the 2021-2022 fiscal year to the Office of State Budget and Management to be used for costs associated with the construction and repairs and renovations of maintenance facilities to replace facilities previously situated on the Broughton legacy campus.

 

Movement

Filed – 4/28/2021


HB 736 – Timely Updates to Newborn Screening Program

HB 736 – Timely Updates to Newborn Screening Program

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. William Brisson (R-Bladen, Sampson); Rep. Michael Wray (D-Halifax, Northampton); Rep. Becky Carney (D-Mecklenburg)

 

Summary

This bill requires new conditions listed on the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel be added to the State’s newborn screening program within two years after being added to the Panel.

 

Movement

Filed – 4/28/2021


HB 734 – Department of Health & Human Services Revisions

HB 734 – Department of Health & Human Services Revisions

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Larry Potts (R-Davidson); Rep. Sarah Stevens (R-Alleghany, Surry, Wilkes)

 

Summary

This bill makes a series of technical modifications to laws pertaining to the DHHS.

 

Movement

Filed – 4/28/2021


HB 733 – Extend Terms/NC Rare Disease Advisory Council

HB 733 – Extend Terms/NC Rare Disease Advisory Council

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Becky Carney (D-Mecklenburg); Rep. Donny Lambeth (R-Forsyth); Rep. Mary Belk (D-Mecklenburg); Rep. Donna White (R-Johnston)

 

Summary

This bill extends the maximum terms of services for members of the Advisory Council on Rare Diseases from two to three consecutive terms.

 

Movement

Filed – 4/28/2021


HB 728 – ACH/Model Infection Control Policies & Procedures

HB 728 – ACH/Model Infection Control Policies & Procedures

Primary House Sponsors: Rep. Michael Wray (D-Halifax, Northampton); Rep. Michael Brisson (R-Bladen, Sampson)

 

Summary

This bill requires DHHS to develop model infection prevention and control policies and procedures that are consistent with accepted national standards and to make the policies and procedures available on DHHS’ website.

 

This bill also requires DHHS to develop a mandatory annual course for adult care home supervisors on the implementation of the model infection prevention and control policies and procedures.

 

Movement

Filed – 4/28/2021