GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2015

SESSION LAW 2015-219

HOUSE BILL 512

AN ACT to ALLOW TIME EXTENSIONS FOR implementation of Back‑up PSAP requirements, to define uniform standards for back‑up PSAPs, and to develop a master purchasing list for 911 system eligible expenses.

Whereas, Session Law 2014‑66 amended Article 3 of Chapter 62A of the North Carolina General Statutes to require development of a back‑up PSAP when calls cannot be completed by the primary PSAP; and

Whereas, the changes in Session Law 2014‑66 are applicable to 911 fund distributions made on or after July 1, 2016; and

Whereas, many counties in North Carolina are unable to fully implement a back‑up PSAP by July 1, 2016; and

Whereas, counties would save cost and increase efficiency by partnering under a standard model for a back‑up PSAP developed by the 911 Board; and

Whereas, the assistance of the 911 Board in facilitating group procurement pricing for eligible 911 expense items would save money and eliminate price disparities between larger and smaller jurisdictions; Now, therefore,

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  G.S. 62A‑46(e)(4a) reads as rewritten:

"(4a)     A By July 1, 2016, a PSAP must have a plan and means for 911 call‑taking in the event 911 calls cannot be received and processed in the primary PSAP. If a PSAP has made substantial progress toward implementation of the plan and means, the 911 Board may grant the PSAP an extension until July 1, 2017, to complete implementation of the plan and means. The plan must identify the alternative capability of taking the redirected 911 calls. This subdivision does not require a PSAP to construct an alternative facility to serve as a back‑up PSAP."

SECTION 2.  The 911 Board shall investigate alternatives for facilitation of uniform procurement and pricing of 911 eligible expenses through bulk purchasing and other means. No later than May 1, 2016, the Board shall report its findings, including any requests for legislative action, to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Information Technology.

SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 11^th day of August, 2015.

                                                                    s/  Philip E. Berger

                                                                         President Pro Tempore of the Senate

                                                                    s/  Tim Moore

                                                                         Speaker of the House of Representatives

                                                                    s/  Pat McCrory

                                                                         Governor

Approved 2:17 p.m. this 18^th day of August, 2015