Article 1J.

Voluntary Health Care Services Act.

§ 90-21.100.  Short title.

This Article shall be known and may be cited as the Volunteer Health Care Services Act. (2012-155, s. 1.)

§ 90-21.101.  Findings.

(a) The General Assembly makes the following findings:

(1) Access to high-quality health care services is a concern of all persons.

(2) Access to high-quality health care services may be limited for some residents of this State, particularly those who reside in remote, rural areas or in the inner city.

(3) Physicians and other health care providers have traditionally worked to ensure broad access to health care services.

(4) Many health care providers from North Carolina and elsewhere are willing to volunteer their services to address the health care needs of North Carolinians who may otherwise not be able to obtain high-quality health care services.

(b) The General Assembly further finds that it is the public policy of this State to encourage and facilitate the voluntary provision of health care services. (2012-155, s. 1.)

§ 90-21.102.  Definitions.

The following definitions apply in this Article:

(1) Department. - The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services.

(2) Free clinic. - A nonprofit, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization organized for the purpose of providing health care services without charge or for a minimum fee to cover administrative costs.

(3) Health care provider. - Any person who:

a. Is licensed to practice as a physician or a physician assistant under Article 1 of this Chapter.

b. Holds a limited volunteer license under G.S. 90-12.1A.

c. Holds a retired limited volunteer license under G.S. 90-12.1B.

d. Holds a physician assistant limited volunteer license under G.S. 90-12.4.

e. Holds a physician assistant retired limited volunteer license under 90-12.4B.

f. Is a volunteer health care professional to whom G.S. 90-21.16 applies.

g. Is licensed to practice dentistry under Article 2 of this Chapter.

h. Is licensed to practice pharmacy under Article 4A of this Chapter.

i. Is licensed to practice optometry under Article 6 of this Chapter.

j. Is licensed to practice as a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse under Article 9A of this Chapter.

k. Is licensed to practice as a dental hygienist under Article 16 of this Chapter.

l. Holds a license as a registered licensed optician under Article 17 of this Chapter.

m. Is licensed to practice as a physician, physician assistant, dentist, pharmacist, optometrist, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, dental hygienist, or optician under provisions of law of another state of the United States comparable to the provisions referenced in sub-subdivisions a. through l. of this subdivision.

(4) Sponsoring organization. - Any nonprofit organization that organizes or arranges for the voluntary provision of health care services pursuant to this Article.

(5) Voluntary provision of health care services. - The provision of health care services by a health care provider in association with a sponsoring organization in which both of the following circumstances exist:

a. The health care services are provided without charge to the recipient of the services or to a third party on behalf of the recipient.

b. The health care provider receives no compensation or other consideration in exchange for the health care services provided.

For the purposes of this Article, the provision of health care services in nonprofit community health centers, local health department facilities, free clinic facilities, or at a provider's place of employment when the patient is referred by a nonprofit community health referral service shall not be considered the voluntary provision of health care. (2012-155, s. 1; 2012-194, s. 47(a); 2013-49, s. 2.)

§ 90-21.103.  Limitation on duration of voluntary health care services.

A sponsoring organization duly registered in accordance with G.S. 90-21.104 may organize or arrange for the voluntary provision of health care services at a location in this State for a period not to exceed seven calendar days in any calendar year. (2012-155, s. 1.)

§ 90-21.104.  Registration, reporting, and record-keeping requirements.

(a) A sponsoring organization shall not organize or arrange for the voluntary provision of health care services in this State without first registering with the Department on a form prescribed by the Department. The registration form shall contain all of the following information:

(1) The name of the sponsoring organization.

(2) The name of the principal individuals who are the officers or organizational officials responsible for the operation of the sponsoring organization.

(3) The street address, city, zip code, and county of the sponsoring organization's principal office and each of the principal individuals described in subdivision (2) of this subsection.

(4) Telephone numbers for the principal office of the sponsoring organization and for each of the principal individuals described in subdivision (2) of this subsection.

(5) Any additional information requested by the Department.

(b) Each sponsoring organization that applies for registration under this Article shall pay a one-time registration fee in the amount of fifty dollars ($50.00), which it shall submit to the Department along with the completed registration form required by subsection (a) of this section. Upon approval by the Department, a sponsoring organization's registration remains valid unless revoked by the Department pursuant to subsection (f) of this section.

(c) Upon any change in the information required under subsection (a) of this section, the sponsoring organization shall notify the Department of the change, in writing, within 30 days after the effective date of the change.

(d) Each registered sponsoring organization has the duty and responsibility to do all of the following:

(1) Except as provided in this subdivision, by no later than 14 days before a sponsoring organization initiates voluntary health care services in this State, the sponsoring organization shall submit to the Department a list containing the following information regarding each health care provider who is to provide voluntary health care services on behalf of the sponsoring organization during any part of the time period in which the sponsoring organization is authorized to provide voluntary health care services in the State:

a. Name.

b. Date of birth.

c. State of licensure.

d. License number.

e. Area of practice.

f. Practice address.

By no later than 3 days prior to voluntary health care services being rendered, a sponsoring organization may amend the list to add health care providers defined in G.S. 90-21.102(3)a. through G.S. 90-21.102(3)l.

(2) Beginning April 1, 2013, submit quarterly reports to the Department identifying all health care providers who engaged in the provision of voluntary health care services in association with the sponsoring organization in this State during the preceding calendar quarter. The quarterly report must include the date, place, and type of voluntary health care services provided by each health care provider.

(3) Maintain a list of health care providers associated with its provision of voluntary health care services in this State. For each health care provider listed, the sponsoring organization shall maintain a copy of a current license or statement of exemption from licensure or certification. For health care providers currently licensed or certified under this Chapter, the sponsoring organization may maintain a copy of the health care provider's license or certification verification obtained from a State-sponsored Internet Web site.

(4) Maintain records of the quarterly reports and records required under this subsection for a period of five years from the date of voluntary service and make these records available upon request to any State licensing board established under this Chapter.

(e) Compliance with subsections (a) through (d) of this section is prima facie evidence that the sponsoring organization has exercised due care in its selection of health care providers.

(f) The Department may revoke the registration of any sponsoring organization that fails to comply with the requirements of this Article. A sponsoring organization may challenge the Department's decision to revoke its registration by filing a contested case under Article 3 of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes.

(g) The Department may waive any of the requirements of this section during a natural disaster or other emergency circumstance. (2012-155, s. 1; 2012-194, s. 47(b).)

§ 90-21.105.  Department and licensure boards to review licensure status of volunteers.

The Department shall forward the information received from a sponsoring organization under G.S. 90-21.104(d)(1) to the appropriate licensure board within seven days after receipt. Upon receipt of any information or notice from a licensure board that a health care provider on the list submitted by the sponsoring organization pursuant to G.S. 90-21.104(d)(1) is not licensed, authorized, or in good standing, or is the subject of an investigation or pending disciplinary action, the Department shall immediately notify the sponsoring organization that the health care provider is not permitted to engage in the voluntary provision of health care services on behalf of the sponsoring organization. (2012-155, s. 1.)

§ 90-21.106.  On-site requirements.

A sponsoring organization that organizes or arranges for the provision of voluntary health care services at a location in this State shall ensure that at least one health care provider licensed to practice in this State, with access to the controlled substances reporting system established under G.S. 90-113.73, is located on the premises where the provision of voluntary health care services is occurring. In addition, every sponsoring organization shall post in a clear and conspicuous manner the following notice in the premises where the provision of voluntary health care services is occurring:

"NOTICE

Under North Carolina law, there is no liability for damages for injuries or death alleged to have occurred by reason of an act or omission in the health care provider's voluntary provision of health care services, unless it is established that the injuries or death were caused by gross negligence, wanton conduct, or intentional wrongdoing on the part of the health care provider." (2012-155, s. 1.)

§ 90-21.107.  Additional licensure not required for certain volunteers.

(a) A health care provider who engages in the voluntary provision of health care services in association with a sponsoring organization for no more than seven days during any calendar year shall not be required to obtain additional licensure or authorization in connection therewith if the health care provider meets any of the following criteria:

(1) The health care provider is duly licensed or authorized under the laws of this State to practice in the area in which the health care provider is providing voluntary health care services and is in good standing with the applicable licensing board.

(2) The health care provider lawfully practices in another state or district in the area in which the health care provider is providing voluntary health care services and is in good standing with the applicable licensing board.

(b) This exemption from additional licensure or authorization requirements does not apply if any of the following circumstances exist:

(1) The health care provider has been subjected to public disciplinary action or is the subject of a pending disciplinary proceeding in any state in which the health care provider is or ever has been licensed.

(2) The health care provider's license has been suspended or revoked pursuant to disciplinary proceedings in any state in which the health care provider is or ever has been licensed.

(3) The health care provider renders services outside the scope of practice authorized by the health care provider's license or authorization. (2012-155, s. 1.)

§ 90-21.108.  Immunity from civil liability for acts or omissions.

(a) Subject to subsection (b) of this section, a health care provider who engages in the voluntary provision of health care services at any location in this State in association with a sponsoring organization shall not be liable for damages for injuries or death alleged to have occurred by reason of an act or omission in the health care provider's voluntary provision of health care services, unless it is established that the injuries or death were caused by gross negligence, wanton conduct, or intentional wrongdoing on the part of the health care provider.

(b) The immunity from civil liability provided by subsection (a) of this section does not apply if any of the following circumstances exist:

(1) The health care provider receives, directly or indirectly, any type of compensation, benefits, or other consideration of any nature from any person for the health care services provided.

(2) The health care services provided are not part of the health care provider's training or assignment.

(3) The health care services provided are not within the scope of the health care provider's license or authority.

(4) The health care services provided are not authorized by the appropriate authorities to be performed at the location. (2012-155, s. 1.)

§ 90-21.109: Reserved for future codification purposes.

§ 90-21.110: Reserved for future codification purposes.

§ 90-21.111: Reserved for future codification purposes.

§ 90-21.112: Reserved for future codification purposes.

§ 90-21.113: Reserved for future codification purposes.

§ 90-21.114: Reserved for future codification purposes.

§ 90-21.115: Reserved for future codification purposes.

§ 90-21.116: Reserved for future codification purposes.

§ 90-21.117: Reserved for future codification purposes.

§ 90-21.118: Reserved for future codification purposes.

§ 90-21.119: Reserved for future codification purposes.