A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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.  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.  There is appropriated from the General Fund sixty‑five thousand dollars ($65,000.00) recurring to the Department of Information Technology for the purpose of creating one new full‑time equivalent (FTE) position within the Department 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.  Section 1 of this act becomes effective October 1, 2018. The remainder of this act becomes effective July 1, 2018.