AN ACT appropriating funds to the department of health and human services, division of health service regulation, office of emergency medical services, to assist trauma centers in fulfilling their responsibilities with RESPECT to the state's trauma system.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.(a)  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Service Regulation, Office of Emergency Medical Services (OEMS), the sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000) in recurring funds for the 2023‑2024 fiscal year and the sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000) in recurring funds for the 2024 2025 fiscal year to be allocated to OEMS-designated trauma centers, based on the percentage of trauma patients recorded in the North Carolina Trauma Registry that are affiliated with each of the OEMS-designated trauma centers. Trauma centers that are recipients of these allocated funds may not use them for any purposes other than to offset costs incurred for any of the following:

(1)        Managing the State's trauma registry.

(2)        Conducting quality improvement program activities.

(3)        Conducting outreach activities.

(4)        Conducting injury prevention activities.

(5)        Conducting program development activities.

(6)        Conducting research activities.

(7)        Conducting accreditation and verification support activities.

(8)        Providing professional development and educational opportunities for trauma center staff.

SECTION 1.(b)  Trauma centers that are recipients of these allocated funds may not use these funds to offset the costs of services provided to patients.

SECTION 1.(c)  The OEMS may use up to five percent (5%) of these allocated funds for each year of the 2023‑2025 fiscal biennium for administrative purposes related to administering these funds and preparing the annual report required by subsection (d) of this section.

SECTION 1.(d)  By December 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, the OEMS shall report on the use of these funds to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services and the Fiscal Research Division. The report shall include a detailed breakdown of expenditures.

SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2023.