AN ACT to allow remote instruction for classroom portions of driver education programs.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  G.S. 115C‑215 reads as rewritten:

§ 115C‑215.  Administration of driver education program by the Department of Public Instruction.

(a)        In accordance with criteria and standards approved by the State Board of Education, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction shall organize and administer a standardized program of driver education to be offered at the public high schools of this State or available through online instruction for all physically and mentally qualified persons who (i) are older than 14 years and six months, (ii) are approved by the principal of the school, pursuant to rules adopted by the State Board of Education, (iii) are enrolled in a public or private high school within the State or are receiving instruction through a home school as provided by Part 3 of Article 39 of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes, and (iv) have not previously enrolled in the program. The driver education program shall be for the purpose of making available public education to all students on driver safety and training. The State Board of Education shall use for this purpose all funds appropriated pursuant to subsection (f) of this section to the Department of Public Instruction and may use all other funds that become available for its use for this purpose.

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(b1)      The State Board of Education shall provide for a program of online driver education instruction to be offered through the public high schools of the State. The internet‑based driver education program shall include at least the following:

(1)        Customer service support that is available through a toll‑free telephone number.

(2)        Storage of course content and student data on a secure server that is protected against data breaches and is regularly backed up.

(3)        The ability to update course content uniformly throughout the State.

(4)        Online classroom instruction that includes at least the following:

a.         Accountability features to ensure the identity of the student while engaged in the course of online study.

b.         Functionality for measuring the amount of time that the student spends on each section of the course.

c.         Use of a pool of rotating quiz questions.

d.         A means for the student to measure performance outcomes.

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SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law and applies beginning with the 2022‑2023 school year.