A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to prohibit franchisors from requiring franchisees to use personal protective equipment during an emergency that exceeds the personal protective equipment required by law during the emergency.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Article 3 of Chapter 95 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 95‑28.2A.  Franchisors prohibited from requiring personal protective equipment during an emergency in excess of personal protective equipment required by law.
During a period in which a state of emergency has been declared pursuant to G.S. 166A‑19.20, a franchisor of a franchisee operating in North Carolina shall not require the franchisee or the employees of the franchisee to use personal protective equipment in excess of the use of personal protective equipment required by directives carrying the force of law. For the purposes of this section, a contractual term is not a directive carrying the force of law. Any contractual term, or any directive of a franchisor pursuant to a contractual term, that would result in violation of this section is void."
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law and applies to contracts entered into, amended, or renewed on or after that date.