Bill Summaries: H404 (2021)

Tracking:
  • Summary date: Nov 22 2021 - View summary

    AN ACT PROVIDING THAT PUBLIC SAFETY ANSWERING POINTS, REGIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY ANSWERING POINTS, AND THEIR EMPLOYEES AND AGENTS AND EMPLOYEES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ARE NOT LIABLE FOR DAMAGES IN A CIVIL ACTION EXCEPT IN CASES OF GROSS NEGLIGENCE AND WANTON OR WILLFUL MISCONDUCT OR WHEN THERE IS APPLICABLE INSURANCE COVERAGE AND MAKING TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO S.L. 2021-171, THE NO PATIENT LEFT ALONE ACT. SL 2021-181. Enacted Nov. 18, 2021.Effective Nov. 18, 2021, except as otherwise provided.


  • Summary date: Nov 2 2021 - View summary

    Conference report #2 makes the following changes to the 3rd edition.

    Further amends GS 143B-1413, making organizational changes to distinguish the limitations on liability granted to a communications service provider, a 911 system provider or next generation 911 system provider, from that proposed to be extended to a public safety answering point (PSAP) or regional PSAP, their employees and agents, and employees of a law enforcement agency who are certified by the North Carolina Sheriffs' Education and Training Standards Commission. Now establishes limited liability for a PSAP, regional PSAP, their employees and agents, and employees of a certified law enforcement agency for any damages in a civil action resulting from death or injury to a person or from damage to property incurred by any person in connection with implementing, maintaining, or operating the 911 system (previously, also extended to developing and adopting the 911 system, now only included in the limited liability provided for communications service providers, 911 system providers, and next generation 911 system providers), or in complying with emergency-related information requests from State or local government officials (now only explicitly included in the limited liability provided for PSAPs, regional PSAPs, and employees of certified law enforcement agencies). Adds to the exceptions to the limitation on liability granted to PSAPs, regional PSAPs, their employees and agents, and employees of a law enforcement agency, cases of gross negligence by the individual. Makes the proposed list of call taking functions covered limited to the immunity granted to a PSAP, regional PSAP, or employee of a certified law enforcement agency. Makes the existing list of applicable acts or omissions applicable to a communications service provider, a 911 system provider or next generation 911 system provider applicable only to a PSAP, regional PSAP or employee of a certified law enforcement agency. No longer specifically includes the use or provisions of 911 service, E911 service, or next generation 911 service. Adds a new subsection waiving the limited liability granted to a PSAP, regional PSAP, their employees and agents, and employees of certified law enforcement agencies to the extent a liability insurance policy provides coverage applicable to claims against a PSAP, regional PSAP, their employees or agents (other than communication service providers, 911 service providers, or next generation 911 system providers), or employees of a certified law enforcement agency. Adds that the limited liability granted to a PSAP, regional PSAP, their employees and agents, and employees of a certified law enforcement agency does not bar coverage under any applicable liability insurance policy to the named entities listed under the new waiver provision.

    Adds to the following statutes enacted by SL 2021-71, which require licensed hospitals, nursing or combinations homes, hospice care facilities, adult care homes and special care units, and residential treatment facilities to allow compassionate care visits, to condition the mandate to allow such visits upon the rules, regulations, or guidelines adopted by either the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or any federal law: GS 131E-79.3; GS 131E-112.5; GS 131E-207.5; 131D-7.5; and GS 122C-32. Makes further technical corrections. Effective November 1, 2021.

    Makes conforming changes to the act's titles.

    Conference report #1 was withdrawn on 9/15/2021.


  • Summary date: Sep 8 2021 - View summary

    Conference report makes the following changes to the 3rd edition. Further amends GS 143B-1413 to more specifically exempt the previously named individual and entities (employees, directors, officers, vendors, and agents of a communications provider, a 911 system provider, next generation 911 system providers, public safety answering point (PSAP) and a regional PSAP, and employees of a law enforcement agency who are certified by the North Carolina Sheriffs' Education and Training Standards Commission) from liability for any damages in excess of any applicable insurance coverage in a civil action resulting from death or injury to a person or from damage to property incurred by any person in connection with developing, adopting, implementing, maintaining, or operating the 911 system (previously, provided for limited liability for the named individuals for any damages in the described civil actions, without regard to applicable insurance coverage). Specifically prohibits applicable insurance coverage from excluding coverage for damages arising from the described actions. Adds to the exceptions to the limitation on liability granted, cases of gross negligence by the individual. Adds to the introductory language to reflect that the statute was amended by SL 2021-88. Makes conforming changes to the act's long title.


  • Summary date: Jun 29 2021 - View summary

    Senate committee substitute makes the following changes to the 2nd edition. Further amends GS 143B-1413 to also exempt employees of a law enforcement agency who are certified by the North Carolina Sheriffs' Education and Training Standards Commission from liability for any damages in a civil action resulting from death or injury to a person or from damage to property incurred by any person in connection with developing, adopting, implementing, maintaining, or operating the 911 system. Specifies that the statute does not apply to actions arising out of the operation or ownership of a motor vehicle by an employee of a law enforcement agency. Makes conforming changes to the act's long title.


  • Summary date: Apr 28 2021 - View summary

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

    Amends the proposed changes to GS 143B-1413 to no longer remove communications service providers from those granted civil immunity under the statute. 


  • Summary date: Mar 24 2021 - View summary

    Expands GS 143B-1413 to provide immunity for a public safety answering point (PSAP) and a regional PSAP and their employees, directors, officers, vendors and agents for any damages in a civil action resulting from death or injury to any person or from damage to property incurred by any person in connection with developing, adopting, implementing, maintaining, or operating the 911 system, in addition to the 911 system providers and next generation 911 system providers, and their agents, currently granted immunity. Removes communications service providers from those granted immunity. Specifies that the immunity includes the actions of call taking, dispatching, radio operations, data terminal operations, or any combination of these call-taking functions in a PSAP. More specifically excludes actions arising out of the operation or ownership of a motor vehicle by an employee or agent of a 911 system provider, next generation 911 system provider, PSAP, or regional PSAP. Eliminates the existing provisions providing for the burden of proof in civil actions against a PSAP and its agents.