GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 1999

SENATE BILL 23
RATIFIED BILL

AN ACT TO CLARIFY THE LAW REGULATING MASS GATHERINGS.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

Section 1.  G.S. 130A-252 reads as rewritten:
"§ 130A-252. Definition of mass gathering; applicability of Part.
(a)	For the purposes of this Part, "mass gathering" means a congregation or assembly of more than 5,000 people in an open space or open air for a period of more than 24 hours. A mass gathering shall include all congregations and assemblies organized or held for any purpose, but shall not include assemblies in permanent buildings or permanent structures designed or intended for use by a large number of people. To determine whether a congregation or assembly extends for more than 24 hours, the period shall begin when the people expected to attend are first permitted on the land where the congregation or assembly will be held and shall end when the people in attendance are expected to depart. To determine whether a congregation or assembly shall consist of more than 5,000 people, the number reasonably expected to attend, as determined from the promotion, advertisement and preparation for the congregation or assembly and from the attendance at prior congregations or assemblies of the same type, shall be considered.
(b)	The provisions of this Part do not apply to permanent stadiums with adjacent campgrounds that host annual events attracting crowds in excess of 70,000 people."
Section 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 10th day of March, 1999.

	─────────────────── 
	Dennis A. Wicker
	President of the Senate

	─────────────────── 
	James B. Black
	Speaker of the House of Representatives

	─────────────────── 
	James B. Hunt, Jr.
	Governor

Approved 	.m. this 	 day of 	, 19