GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1993
S
1 

SENATE BILL 1192*

Short Title:  LRC Study Disaster Relief.	(Public)
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Sponsors: Senator Hoyle.
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Referred to:  Rules and Operation of the Senate.
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May 24, 1993

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT AUTHORIZING THE LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH COMMISSION TO STUDY PROTECTION OF DISASTER RELIEF VOLUNTEERS.
Whereas, North Carolina's geographic location and climate make it vulnerable to various natural disasters; and
Whereas, the State Division of Emergency Management relies upon volunteers to help the citizens of North Carolina recover from the devastation of such disasters; and
Whereas, the State Division of Emergency Management has requested the assistance of statewide volunteer organizations to provide volunteer labor and donated materials to citizens and communities impacted by natural disasters; and
Whereas, G.S. 166A-14, G.S. 166A-15, and other statutes appear to provide limited liability protection to disaster relief volunteers acting under the auspices of the State, but do not appear to provide protection to disaster relief volunteers who themselves are injured during and as a result of volunteer activities; and
Whereas, the lack of protection, real or perceived, is a powerful deterrent to statewide volunteer organizations to providing or coordinating volunteer services; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  The Legislative Research Commission may study the adequacy of protection for disaster relief volunteer workers and organizations or those providing other volunteer services to the State.
Sec. 2.  The Legislative Research Commission may make a report and recommendations to the 1993 General Assembly, Regular Session 1994, and a final report to the 1995 General Assembly.
Sec. 3.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Legislative Research Commission fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) for the 1993-94 fiscal year to fund the study.
Sec. 4.  This act is effective upon ratification.