AN ACT to require that public safety answering points receive 911 emergency communications via text or short message service if capable AND TO create a position within the department of INFORMATION technology to assist public service answering points in implementing best practices and community education related to 911 emergency communications via text or short message service.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Effective October 1, 2023, Part 10 of Article 15 of Chapter 143B of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

§ 143B‑1417.  Text or short message service emergency communications.

A PSAP with the capability to receive text or short message service (SMS) messages shall utilize text or SMS messages as an option for a person to contact an appropriate PSAP for emergency assistance.

SECTION 2.  Effective July 1, 2023, there is appropriated from the General Fund for the 2023‑2025 fiscal biennium to the Department of Information Technology (DIT) the sum of sixty‑five thousand dollars ($65,000) in recurring funds for the 2023‑2024 fiscal year and the sum of sixty‑five thousand dollars ($65,000) in recurring funds for the 2024‑2025 fiscal year to establish one new full‑time equivalent (FTE) position within DIT to coordinate and assist public safety answering points statewide in implementing best practices and community education related to 911 emergency communications via text and short message service (SMS).

SECTION 3.  Except as otherwise provided, this act is effective when it becomes law.