AN ACT to allow emergency medical services personnel, while on duty, to carry pepper spray openly or concealed.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  G.S. 131E‑157 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:

(d)      Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the Commission and the North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services are prohibited from adopting or enforcing any rule prohibiting emergency medical services personnel from carrying concealed or openly any pepper spray otherwise allowed under G.S. 14‑401.6(a)(7). For purposes of this subsection, the term pepper spray means a chemical irritant such as mace, oleoresin capsicum or pepper spray, or tear gas.

SECTION 2.  G.S. 143‑508 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:

(e)      Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the North Carolina Medical Care Commission is prohibited from adopting or enforcing any rule prohibiting emergency medical services personnel, as defined in G.S. 131E‑155, from carrying concealed or openly any pepper spray otherwise allowed under G.S. 14‑401.6(a)(7). For purposes of this subsection, the term pepper spray is as defined in G.S. 131E‑157.

SECTION 3.  The North Carolina Medical Care Commission and the North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services shall adopt rules or amend their rules consistent with the provisions of this act. The Commission and Office of Emergency Medical Services may use the procedure set forth in G.S. 150B‑21.1 to adopt or amend any rules as required by this section.

SECTION 4.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2025.