AN ACT to authorize Hospital police officers in Ashe County CERTIFIED pursuant to chapter 74E of the general statutes to Direct Traffic on streets and highways adjacent to the hospital And Hospital Helipad in order to facilitate Helicopter Traffic.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  This act applies to Ashe County only.
SECTION 2.  Any company police officer holding a certification issued pursuant to Chapter 74E of the General Statutes and contracted with a local hospital or hospital authority may, upon written agreement between the hospital's chief executive officer and the sheriff of the county, direct traffic solely for the purpose of assisting with the arrival and departure of helicopters enroute to or from the hospital upon only that portion of a street or highway immediately adjoining the hospital property that is also immediately adjoining a helipad owned by the hospital.  Traffic direction authorized by this act shall not be considered a violation of G.S. 20‑174.1 or Chapter 74E of the General Statutes.
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 10th day of July, 2008.

	s/	 Beverly E. Perdue
	 President of the Senate

	s/	 Joe Hackney
	 Speaker of the House of Representatives