A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO STUDY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE PERSONNEL SAFETY FROM HOSTILE THREATS AND WHAT DEFENSIVE RESOURCES SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO PREVENT INJURY TO THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE PERSONNEL OR THE PATIENTS UNDER THEIR CARE.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Service Regulation, in consultation with the North Carolina Medical Care Commission and the Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management, shall study how emergency medical service personnel can reduce the threat of bodily harm when performing duties necessary for the health and safety of the public. The study shall address all of the following:
(1)	Crisis intervention courses.
(2)	Self-defense tactics.
(3)	Use of protective body garments and vests.
(4)	Non-lethal deterrents such as conducted electrical weapons.
(5)	Non-lethal deterrents such as chemical irritants, mace, pepper spray, and tear gas.
SECTION 2.  The Division shall report its findings to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services no later than April 1, 2016.
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.