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‑158 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:

(c)      The North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services and the Commission shall adopt rules to permit emergency medical services personnel to carry, openly or concealed, any pepper spray consistent with G.S. 14‑401.6(a)(7). The rules adopted may require emergency medical services personnel to complete training which shall not exceed NC Basic Law Enforcement Training standards in the use of pepper spray and obtain the approval of the affiliated EMS provider pursuant to its policy regarding use prior to carrying pepper spray and prohibit the discharge of pepper spray in the ambulance compartment during transport of the patient. 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.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2025.