G.S. 130A-1 Title.
§ 130A-1. Title.
This Chapter shall be known as the Public Health Law of North Carolina. (1983, c. 891, s. 2.)
G.S. ch. 130A, art. 1
G.S. ch. 130A, art. 1
in effectG.S. 130A-1.1 Mission and essential services.
§ 130A-1.1. Mission and essential services.
(a) The General Assembly recognizes that unified purpose and direction of the public health system is necessary to ensure that all citizens in the State have equal access to essential public health services. The General Assembly declares that the mission of the public health system is to promote and contribute to the highest level of health possible for the people of North Carolina by:
(1) Preventing health risks and disease;
(2) Identifying and reducing health risks in the community;
(3) Detecting, investigating, and preventing the spread of disease;
(4) Promoting healthy lifestyles;
(5) Promoting a safe and healthful environment;
(6) Promoting the availability and accessibility of quality health care services through the private sector; and
(7) Providing quality health care services when not otherwise available.
(b) A local health department shall ensure that the following 10 essential public health services are available and accessible to the population in each county served by the local health department:
(1) Monitoring health status to identify community health problems.
(2) Diagnosing and investigating health hazards in the community.
(3) Informing, educating, and empowering people about health issues.
(4) Mobilizing community partnerships to identify and solve health problems.
(5) Developing policies and plans that support individual and community health efforts.
(6) Enforcing laws and regulations that protect health and ensure safety.
(7) Linking people to needed personal health care services and ensuring the provision of health care when otherwise unavailable.
(8) Ensuring a competent public health workforce and personal health care workforce.
(9) Evaluating effectiveness, accessibility, and quality of personal and population-based health services.
(10) Conducting research.
(c) The General Assembly recognizes that there are health-related services currently provided by State and local government and the private sector that are important to maintaining a healthy social and ecological environment but that are not included on the list of essential public health services required under this section. Omission of these services from the list of essential public health services shall not be construed as an intent to prohibit or decrease their availability. Rather, such omission means only that the omitted services may be more appropriately assured by government agencies or private entities other than the public health system.
(d) The list of essential public health services required by this section shall not be construed to limit or restrict the powers and duties of the Commission for Public Health or the Departments of Environmental Quality and Health and Human Services as otherwise conferred by State law. (1991, c. 299, s. 1; 1997-443, s. 11A.54; 2007-182, s. 2; 2009-442, s. 1; 2012-126, s. 4; 2012-194, s. 62; 2015-241, s. 14.30(u).)
G.S. 130A-2 Definitions.
§ 130A-2. Definitions.
The following definitions shall apply throughout this Chapter unless otherwise specified:
(1) "Accreditation board" or "Board" means the Local Health Department Accreditation Board.
(1a) "Commission" means the Commission for Public Health.
(1b) "Communicable condition" means the state of being infected with a communicable agent but without symptoms.
(1c) "Communicable disease" means an illness due to an infectious agent or its toxic products which is transmitted directly or indirectly to a person from an infected person or animal through the agency of an intermediate animal, host, or vector, or through the inanimate environment.
(2) "Department" means the Department of Health and Human Services.
(3) "Imminent hazard" means a situation that is likely to cause an immediate threat to human life, an immediate threat of serious physical injury, an immediate threat of serious adverse health effects, or a serious risk of irreparable damage to the environment if no immediate action is taken.
(3a) "Isolation authority" means the authority to issue an order to limit the freedom of movement or action of persons or animals that are infected or reasonably suspected to be infected with a communicable disease or communicable condition for the period of communicability to prevent the direct or indirect conveyance of the infectious agent from the person or animal to other persons or animals who are susceptible or who may spread the agent to others.
(4) "Local board of health" means a district board of health or a public health authority board or a county board of health.
(5) "Local health department" means a district health department or a public health authority or a county health department.
(6) "Local health director" means the administrative head of a local health department appointed pursuant to this Chapter.
(6a) "Outbreak" means an occurrence of a case or cases of a disease in a locale in excess of the usual number of cases of the disease.
(7) "Person" means an individual, corporation, company, association, partnership, unit of local government or other legal entity.
(7a) "Quarantine authority" means the authority to issue an order to limit the freedom of movement or action of persons or animals which have been exposed to or are reasonably suspected of having been exposed to a communicable disease or communicable condition for a period of time as may be necessary to prevent the spread of that disease. Quarantine authority also means the authority to issue an order to limit access by any person or animal to an area or facility that may be contaminated with an infectious agent. The term also means the authority to issue an order to limit the freedom of movement or action of persons who have not received immunizations against a communicable disease when the State Health Director or a local health director determines that the immunizations are required to control an outbreak of that disease.
(8) "Secretary" means the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
(9) "Unit of local government" means a county, city, consolidated city-county, sanitary district or other local political subdivision, authority or agency of local government.
(10) "Vital records" means birth, death, fetal death, marriage, annulment and divorce records registered under the provisions of Article 4 of this Chapter. (1957, c. 1357, s. 1; 1963, c. 492, ss. 5, 6; 1967, c. 343, s. 2; c. 1257, s. 1; 1973, c. 476, s. 128; 1975, c. 751, s. 1; 1981, c. 130, s. 1; c. 340, ss. 1-4; 1983, c. 891, s. 2; 1989, c. 727, s. 141; 1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1004, s. 19(b); 1991, c. 631, s. 1; 1997-443, s. 11A.55; 1997-502, s. 2(a), (b); 2002-179, s. 4; 2004-80, s. 1; 2005-369, s. 1(a); 2007-182, s. 2.)
G.S. 130A-3 Appointment of the State Health Director.
§ 130A-3. Appointment of the State Health Director.
The Secretary shall appoint the State Health Director. The State Health Director shall be a physician licensed to practice medicine in this State. The State Health Director shall perform duties and exercise authority assigned by the Secretary. (1983, c. 891, s. 2.)
G.S. 130A-4 Administration.
§ 130A-4. Administration.
(a) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, the Secretary shall administer and enforce the provisions of this Chapter and the rules of the Commission. A local health director shall administer the programs of the local health department and enforce the rules of the local board of health.
(b) When requested by the Secretary, a local health department shall enforce the rules of the Commission under the supervision of the Department. The local health department shall utilize local staff authorized by the Department to enforce the specific rules.
(c) The Secretary of Environmental Quality shall administer and enforce the provisions of Articles 9 and 10 of this Chapter and the rules of the Commission and the Environmental Management Commission adopted thereunder.
(d) When requested by the Secretary of Environmental Quality, a local health department shall enforce the rules of the Commission and the rules adopted by the Environmental Management Commission pursuant to G.S. 87-87 under the supervision of the Department of Environmental Quality. The local health department shall utilize local staff authorized by the Department of Environmental Quality to enforce the specific rules. (1983, c. 891, s. 2; 1995, c. 123, s. 2; 1997-443, s. 11A.56; 2001-474, s. 18; 2006-202, s. 5; 2006-255, s. 13.1; 2011-145, s. 13.3(pp); 2015-241, s. 14.30(u), (v); 2020-74, s. 12(a).)
G.S. 130A-4.1 State funds for maternal and child health care/nonsupplanting.
§ 130A-4.1. State funds for maternal and child health care/nonsupplanting.
(a) The Department shall ensure that local health departments do not reduce county appropriations for maternal and child health services provided by the local health departments because they have received State appropriations for this purpose.
(b) All income earned by local health departments for maternal and child health programs supported in whole or in part from State or federal funds, received from the Department, shall be budgeted and expended by local health departments to further the objectives of the program that generated the income. (1991, c. 689, s. 170; 1997-443, s. 11A.57.)
G.S. 130A-4.2 State funds for health promotion/nonsupplanting.
§ 130A-4.2. State funds for health promotion/nonsupplanting.
The Department shall ensure that local health departments do not reduce county appropriations for health promotion services provided by the local health departments because they have received State appropriations for this purpose. (1991, c. 689, s. 171; 1997-443, s. 11A.58.)
G.S. 130A-4.3 State funds for school nurses.
§ 130A-4.3. State funds for school nurses.
(a) The Department shall use State funds appropriated for the School Nurse Funding Initiative to supplement and not supplant other State, local, or federal funds appropriated or allocated for this purpose. The Department shall ensure that communities maintain their current level of effort and funding for school nurses. These funds shall not be used to fund nurses for State agencies. These funds shall be distributed to local health departments according to a formula that includes all of the following:
(1) School nurse-to-student ratio.
(2) Percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price meals.
(3) Percentage of children in poverty.
(4) Per capita income.
(5) Eligibility as a low-wealth county.
(6) Mortality rates for children between one and 19 years of age.
(7) Percentage of students with chronic illnesses.
(8) Percentage of county population consisting of minority persons.
(b) The Department shall ensure that school nurses funded with State funds (i) do not assist in any instructional or administrative duties associated with a school's curriculum and (ii) perform all of the following with respect to school health programs:
(1) Serve as the coordinator of the health services program and provide nursing care.
(2) Provide health education to students, staff, and parents.
(3) Identify health and safety concerns in the school environment and promote a nurturing school environment.
(4) Support healthy food services programs.
(5) Promote healthy physical education, sports policies, and practices.
(6) Provide health counseling, assess mental health needs, provide interventions, and refer students to appropriate school staff or community agencies.
(7) Promote community involvement in assuring a healthy school and serve as school liaison to a health advisory committee.
(8) Provide health education and counseling and promote healthy activities and a healthy environment for school staff.
(9) Be available to assist the county health department during a public health emergency. (2017-57, s. 11E.1; 2025-27, s. 1.1.)
G.S. 130A-4.4 Funds for AIDS Drug Assistance Program.
§ 130A-4.4. Funds for AIDS Drug Assistance Program.
The Department shall work with the Department of Adult Correction to use Department of Adult Correction funds to purchase pharmaceuticals for the treatment of individuals in the custody of the Department of Adult Correction who have been diagnosed with Human Immunodeficiency Virus or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in a manner that allows these funds to be accounted for as State matching funds in the Department of Health and Human Services drawdown of federal Ryan White funds earmarked for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program also known as ADAP. (2017-57, s. 11E.7; 2021-180, s. 19C.9(n).)
G.S. 130A-5 Duties of the Secretary.
§ 130A-5. Duties of the Secretary.
The Secretary shall have the authority:
(1) To enforce the State health laws and the rules of the Commission;
(2) To investigate the causes of epidemics and of infectious, communicable and other diseases affecting the public health in order to control and prevent these diseases; to provide, under the rules of the Commission, for the prevention, detection, reporting and control of communicable, infectious or any other diseases or health hazards considered harmful to the public health;
(3) To develop and carry out reasonable health programs that may be necessary for the protection and promotion of the public health and the control of diseases. The Commission is authorized to adopt rules to carry out these programs;
(4) To make sanitary and health investigations and inspections;
(5) To investigate occupational health hazards and occupational diseases and to make recommendations for the elimination of the hazards and diseases. The Secretary shall work with the Industrial Commission and shall file sufficient reports with the Industrial Commission to enable it to carry out all of the provisions of the Workers' Compensation Act with respect to occupational disease.
(6) To receive donations of money, securities, equipment, supplies, realty or any other property of any kind or description which shall be used by the Department for the purpose of carrying out its public health programs;
(7) To acquire by purchase, devise or otherwise in the name of the Department equipment, supplies and other property, real or personal, necessary to carry out the public health programs;
(8) To use the official seal of the Department. Copies of documents in the possession of the Department may be authenticated with the seal of the Department, attested by the signature or a facsimile of the signature of the Secretary, and when authenticated shall have the same evidentiary value as the originals;
(9) To disseminate information to the general public on all matters pertaining to public health; to purchase, print, publish, and distribute free, or at cost, documents, reports, bulletins and health informational materials. Money collected from the distribution of these materials shall remain in the Department to be used to replace the materials;
(10) To be the health advisor of the State and to advise State officials in regard to the location, sanitary construction and health management of all State institutions; to direct the attention of the State to health matters which affect the industries, property, health and lives of the people of the State; to inspect at least annually State institutions and facilities; to make a report as to the health conditions of these institutions or facilities with suggestions and recommendations to the appropriate State agencies. It shall be the duty of the persons in immediate charge of these institutions or facilities to furnish all assistance necessary for a thorough inspection;
(11) To establish a schedule of fees based on income to be paid by a recipient for services provided by Migrant Health Clinics and Development Evaluation Centers;
(12) To establish fees for the sale of specimen containers, vaccines and other biologicals. The fees shall not exceed the actual cost of such items, plus transportation costs;
(13) To establish a fee to cover costs of responding to requests by employers for industrial hygiene consultation services and occupational consultation services. The fee shall not exceed two hundred dollars ($200.00) per on site inspection; and
(14) To establish a fee for companion animal certificate of examination forms to be distributed, upon request, by the Department to licensed veterinarians. The fee shall not exceed the cost of the form and shipping costs.
(15) To establish a fee not to exceed the cost of analyzing clinical Pap smear specimens sent to the State Laboratory by local health departments and State-owned facilities and for reporting the results of the analysis. This fee shall be in addition to the charge for the Pap smear test kit.
(16) To charge a fee of up to seventy-four dollars ($74.00) for analyzing private well-water samples sent to the State Laboratory of Public Health by local health departments. The fee shall be imposed for analyzing samples from newly constructed and existing wells. The fee shall be computed annually by the Director of the State Laboratory of Public Health by analyzing the previous year's testing at the State Laboratory of Public Health, and applying the amount of the total cost of the private well-water testing, minus State appropriations that support this effort. The fee includes the charge for the private well-water panel test kit. (1957, c. 1357, s. 1; 1961, c. 51, s. 4; c. 833, s. 14; 1969, c. 982; 1973, c. 476, ss. 128, 138; 1979, c. 714, s. 2; 1981, c. 562, s. 4; 1983, c. 891, s. 2; 1985, c. 470, s. 1; 1991, c. 227, s. 1; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 715, s. 1; 2003-284, s. 34.13(a); 2006-66, s. 10.20(a); 2007-115, s. 2; 2014-100, s. 12E.3(a).)
G.S. 130A-5.1 State health standards.
§ 130A-5.1. State health standards.
(a) The Secretary shall adopt measurable standards and goals for community health against which the State's actions to improve the health status of its citizens will be measured. The Secretary shall report annually to the General Assembly upon its convening or reconvening and to the Governor on all of the following:
(1) How the State compares to national health measurements and established State goals for each standard. Comparisons shall be reported using disaggregated data for health standards.
(2) Steps taken by State and non-State entities to meet established goals.
(3) Additional steps proposed or planned to be taken to achieve established goals.
(b) The Secretary may coordinate and contract with other entities to assist in the establishment of standards and preparation of the report. The Secretary may use resources available to implement this section. (2000-67, s. 11.)
G.S. 130A-6 Delegation of authority.
§ 130A-6. Delegation of authority.
Whenever authority is granted by this Chapter upon a public official, the authority may be delegated to another person authorized by the public official. (1983, c. 891, s. 2.)
G.S. 130A-7 Grants-in-aid.
§ 130A-7. Grants-in-aid.
The State is authorized to accept, allocate and expend any grants-in-aid for public health purposes which may be made available to the State by the federal government. This Chapter is to be liberally construed in order that the State and its citizens may benefit fully from these grants-in-aid. The Commission is authorized to adopt rules, not inconsistent with the laws of this State, as required by the federal government for receipt of federal funds. Any federal funds received are to be deposited with the State Treasurer and are to be appropriated by the General Assembly for the public health purposes specified. (1957, c. 1357, s. 1; 1983, c. 891, s. 2.)
G.S. 130A-8 Counties to recover indirect costs on certain federal public health or mental health grants.
§ 130A-8. Counties to recover indirect costs on certain federal public health or mental health grants.
(a) The Department shall include in its request for federal funds applicable to public health or mental health grants from the federal government to the State or any of its agencies, indirect costs incurred by counties acting as subgrantees under the grants or otherwise providing services to the Department with regard to the grants to the full extent permitted by OMB Circular A-87 or its successor. The Department shall allow counties to claim and recover their indirect costs on these grants to the full extent permitted by the Circular.
(b) This section shall not apply to those federal public health or mental health grants which are formula grants to the State or which are otherwise limited as to the maximum amounts receivable on a statewide basis. (1977, c. 876, ss. 1, 2; 1983, c. 891, s. 2.)
G.S. 130A-9 Standards.
§ 130A-9. Standards.
The Commission is authorized to establish reasonable standards governing the nature and scope of public health services rendered by local health departments. (1957, c. 1357, s. 1; 1973, c. 110; 1975, c. 83; 1979, c. 504, s. 15; 1983, c. 891, s. 2.)
G.S. 130A-10 Advisory Committees.
§ 130A-10. Advisory Committees.
The Secretary is authorized to establish and appoint as many special advisory committees as may be necessary to advise and confer with the Department concerning the public health. Members of any special advisory committee shall serve without compensation but may be allowed travel and subsistence expenses in accordance with G.S. 138-6. (1957, c. 1357, s. 1; 1975, c. 281; 1983, c. 891, s. 2.)
G.S. 130A-11 Residencies in public health.
§ 130A-11. Residencies in public health.
The Department shall establish a residency program designed to attract dentists into the field of public health and to train them in the specialty of public health practice. The program shall include practical experience in public health principles and practices. (1975, c. 945, s. 1; 1983, c. 891, s. 2; 1991, c. 342, s. 6.)
G.S. 130A-12 Confidentiality of records.
§ 130A-12. Confidentiality of records.
All records containing privileged patient medical information, information protected under 45 Code of Federal Regulations Parts 160 and 164, and information collected under the authority of Part 4 of Article 5 of this Chapter that are in the possession of the Department of Health and Human Services or local health departments shall be confidential and shall not be public records pursuant to G.S. 132-1. Information contained in the records may be disclosed only when disclosure is authorized or required by State or federal law. Notwithstanding G.S. 8-53, the information contained in the records may be disclosed for purposes of treatment, payment, research, or health care operations to the extent that disclosure is permitted under 45 Code of Federal Regulations §§ 164.506 and 164.512(i). For purposes of this section, the terms "treatment," "payment," "research," and "health care operations" have the meanings given those terms in 45 Code of Federal Regulations § 164.501. (1985, c. 470, s. 2; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 890, s. 9; 1995, c. 428, s. 1.1; 2004-80, s. 4; 2006-255, s. 13.2; 2011-145, s. 13.3(qq); 2011-314, s. 3.)
G.S. 130A-13 Application for eligibility for Department medical payment program constitutes assignment to the State of right to third party benefits.
§ 130A-13. Application for eligibility for Department medical payment program constitutes assignment to the State of right to third party benefits.
(a) Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, by applying for financial eligibility for any Department medical payment program administered under this Chapter, the recipient patient or responsible party for the recipient patient shall be deemed to have made an assignment to the State of the right to third party benefits, contractual or otherwise, to which he may be entitled to the extent of the amount of the Department's payment on behalf of the recipient patient. Any attorney retained by the recipient patient shall be compensated for his services in accordance with the following schedule and in the following order of priority from any amount of such third party benefits obtained on behalf of the recipient by settlement, with judgment against, or otherwise from a third party:
(1) First to the payment of any court costs taxed by the judgment;
(2) Second to the payment of the fee of the attorney representing the beneficiary making the settlement or obtaining the judgment, but this fee shall not exceed one-third of the amount obtained or recovered to which the right of subrogation applies;
(3) Third to the payment of the amount of assistance received by the beneficiary as prorated with other claims against the amount obtained or received from the third party to which the right of subrogation applies, but the amount shall not exceed one-third of the amount obtained or recovered to which the right of subrogation applies; and
(4) Fourth to the payment of any amount remaining to the beneficiary or his personal representative.
The United States and the State of North Carolina shall be entitled to shares in each net recovery under this section. Their shares shall be promptly paid under this section and their proportionate parts of such sum shall be determined in accordance with the matching formulas in use during the period for which assistance was paid to the recipient.
(b) The Department shall establish a third party resources collection unit that is adequate to ensure collection of third party resources.
(c) The Commission may adopt rules necessary to implement this section.
(d) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, in all actions brought by the State pursuant to subsection (a) of this section to obtain reimbursement for payments for medical services, liability shall be determined on the basis of the same laws and standards, including bases for liability and applicable defenses, as would be applicable if the action were brought by the individual on whose behalf the medical services were rendered. (1989, c. 483, s. 1; 1995, c. 508, s. 1.)
G.S. 130A-14 Department may assist private nonprofit foundations.
§ 130A-14. Department may assist private nonprofit foundations.
(a) The Secretary may allow employees of the Department to assist any private nonprofit foundation that works directly with services or programs of the Department and whose sole purpose is to support the services and programs of the Department, and may provide other appropriate services to any such foundation. No employee of the Department may work with a foundation for more than 20 hours in any one month. Chapter 150B of the General Statutes does not apply to any assistance or services provided to a private nonprofit foundation pursuant to this section.
(b) The board of directors of any private nonprofit foundation that receives assistance or services pursuant to this section shall secure and pay for the services of the Department of State Auditor or shall employ a certified public accountant to conduct an annual audit of the financial accounts of the foundation. The board of directors of the foundation shall transmit a copy of the annual financial audit report to the Secretary. (1991, c. 761, s. 37.3; 1993, c. 553, s. 40.1)
G.S. 130A-15 Access to information.
§ 130A-15. Access to information.
(a) Health care providers and persons in charge of health care facilities or laboratories shall, upon request and proper identification, permit the State Health Director to examine, review, and obtain a copy of records containing privileged medical information or information protected under the Health Information Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) medical privacy rule, 45 C.F.R. Parts 160 and 164, that the State Health Director deems are necessary to prevent, control, or investigate a disease or health hazard that may present a clear danger to the public health.
(b) Privileged medical information or protected health information received by the State Health Director pursuant to this section shall be confidential and is not a public record under G.S. 132-1. The information shall not be released, except when the release is made pursuant to any other provision of law, to another federal, state, or local public health agency for the purpose of preventing or controlling a disease or public health hazard or to a court or law enforcement official or law enforcement officer for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this Chapter or for the purpose of investigating a disease or public health hazard.
(c) A person who permits examination, review, or copying of records or who provides copies of the records pursuant to subsection (a) of this section is immune from any civil or criminal liability that might otherwise be incurred or imposed. (2007-115, s. 1.)
G.S. 130A-16 Collection and reporting of race and ethnicity data.
§ 130A-16. Collection and reporting of race and ethnicity data.
All medical care providers required by the provisions of this Chapter to report to the Division of Public Health shall collect and document patient self-reported race and ethnicity data and shall include such data in their reports to the Division. (2008-119, s. 1.)
G.S. 130A-17 Right of entry.
§ 130A-17. Right of entry.
(a) The Secretary and a local health director shall have the right of entry upon the premises of any place where entry is necessary to enforce the provisions of this Chapter or the rules adopted by the Commission or a local board of health. If consent for entry is not obtained, an administrative search and inspection warrant shall be obtained pursuant to G.S. 15-27.2. However, if an imminent hazard exists, no warrant is required for entry upon the premises.
(b) The Secretary of Environmental Quality and a local health director shall have the same rights enumerated in subsection (a) of this section to enforce the provisions of Articles 9 and 10 of this Chapter. (1983, c. 891, s. 2; 1997-443, s. 11A.60; 2001-474, s. 19; 2006-255, s. 13.3; 2011-145, s. 13.3(rr); 2015-241, s. 14.30(v).)
G.S. 130A-18 Injunction.
§ 130A-18. Injunction.
(a) If a person shall violate any provision of this Chapter, the rules adopted by the Commission or rules adopted by a local board of health, or a condition or term of a permit or order issued under this Chapter, the Secretary or a local health director may institute an action for injunctive relief, irrespective of all other remedies at law, in the superior court of the county where the violation occurred or where a defendant resides.
(b) The Secretary of Environmental Quality and a local health director shall have the same rights enumerated in subsection (a) of this section to enforce the provisions of Articles 9 and 10 of this Chapter. (1983, c. 891, s. 2; 1997-443, s. 11A.61; 2001-474, s. 20; 2006-255, s. 13.4; 2007-550, s. 2(a); 2011-145, s. 13.3(ss); 2015-241, s. 14.30(v).)
G.S. 130A-19 Abatement of public health nuisance.
§ 130A-19. Abatement of public health nuisance.
(a) If the Secretary or a local health director determines that a public health nuisance exists, the Secretary or a local health director may issue an order of abatement directing the owner, lessee, operator or other person in control of the property to take any action necessary to abate the public health nuisance. If the person refuses to comply with the order, the Secretary or the local health director may institute an action in the superior court of the county where the public health nuisance exists to enforce the order. The action shall be calendared for trial within 60 days after service of the complaint upon the defendant. The court may order the owner to abate the nuisance or direct the Secretary or the local health director to abate the nuisance. If the Secretary or the local health director is ordered to abate the nuisance, the Department or the local health department shall have a lien on the property for the costs of the abatement of the nuisance in the nature of a mechanic's and materialmen's lien as provided in Chapter 44A of the General Statutes and the lien may be enforced as provided therein.
(b) The Secretary of Environmental Quality and a local health director shall have the same rights enumerated in subsection (a) of this section to enforce the provisions of Articles 9 and 10 of this Chapter. (1893, c. 214, s. 22; Rev., ss. 3446, 4450; 1911, c. 62, ss. 12, 13; 1913, c. 181, s. 3; C.S., ss. 7071, 7072; 1957, c. 1357, s. 1; 1983, c. 891, s. 2; 1997-443, s. 11A.62; 2006-255, s. 13.5; 2011-145, s. 13.3(tt); 2015-241, s. 14.30(v).)
G.S. 130A-20 Abatement of an imminent hazard.
§ 130A-20. Abatement of an imminent hazard.
(a) If a local health director determines that an imminent hazard exists, the local health director may order the owner, lessee, operator, or other person in control of a specific identified property to abate the imminent hazard or may, after notice to or reasonable attempt to notify the owner, lessee, operator, or other person in control of the property enter upon the specific identified property and take any action necessary to abate the imminent hazard. If the local health director abates the imminent hazard, the local health department shall have a lien on the property of the owner, lessee, operator, or other person in control of the specific identified property where the imminent hazard existed for the cost of the abatement of the imminent hazard. The lien may be enforced in accordance with procedures provided in Chapter 44A of the General Statutes. The lien may be defeated by a showing that an imminent hazard did not exist at the time the local health director took the action. The owner, lessee, operator, or any other person against whose property the lien has been filed may defeat the lien by showing that that person was not culpable in the creation of the imminent hazard.
(b) The local health director shall have the same rights enumerated in subsection (a) of this section to enforce the provisions of Articles 9 and 10 of this Chapter.
(c) The Secretary shall have the authority to determine that a class or category of property uses presents a statewide imminent hazard. For a period of no more than seven calendar days, the Secretary may order owners, operators, or other persons in control of that class or category of property uses to abate the statewide imminent hazard. If the Secretary has notified the Governor, and the Governor has received the concurrence of the Council of State, such order may be extended for up to 30 days at a time. The Secretary may, after notice to or reasonable attempt to notify the owners, operators, or other persons in control of a specific property not complying with the order of abatement, enter upon the property and take any action necessary to abate the imminent hazard. If the Secretary's orders under this subsection would extend the application of the class or categories of properties in areas, when combined, to statewide application, the Secretary shall notify the Governor, and the Governor shall seek the concurrence of the Council of State in accordance with this subsection prior to extension of any of the orders.
(d) The Secretary of Environmental Quality, in accordance with subsection (c) of this section, may enforce the provisions of Articles 9 and 10 of this Chapter.
(e) For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) Concurrence of the Council of State. - As defined in G.S. 166A-19.3(2d).
(2) Statewide. - Two-thirds or more of the counties in this State. (1893, c. 214, s. 22; Rev., ss. 3446, 4450; 1911, c. 62, ss. 12, 13; 1913, c. 181, s. 3; C.S., ss. 7071, 7072; 1957, c. 1357, s. 1; 1983, c. 891, s. 2; 1997-443, s. 11A.63; 2002-179, s. 6; 2006-255, s. 13.6; 2011-145, s. 13.3(uu); 2015-241, s. 14.30(v); 2021-180, s. 19E.6(d).)
G.S. 130A-20.01 Action for the recovery of costs of hazardous materials emergency medical response.
§ 130A-20.01. Action for the recovery of costs of hazardous materials emergency medical response.
A person who causes the release of a hazardous material that results in the activation of one or more State Medical Assistance Teams (SMATs) or the Epidemiology Section of the Division of Public Health of the Department of Health and Human Services shall be liable for all reasonable costs incurred by each team or the Epidemiology Section that responds to or mitigates the incident. The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall invoice the person liable for the hazardous materials release and, in the event of nonpayment, may institute an action to recover those costs in the superior court of the county in which the release occurred. (2007-107, s. 3.1(b).)
G.S. 130A-21 Embargo.
§ 130A-21. Embargo.
(a) In addition to the authority of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services pursuant to G.S. 106-125, the Secretary or a local health director has authority to exercise embargo authority concerning food or drink pursuant to G.S. 106-125(a), (b) and (c) when the food or drink is in an establishment that is subject to regulation by the Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to this Chapter, that is subject to rules adopted by the Commission, or that is the subject of an investigation pursuant to G.S. 130A-144; however, no such action shall be taken in any establishment or part of an establishment that is under inspection or otherwise regulated by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services or the United States Department of Agriculture other than the part of the establishment that is subject to regulation by the Department of Health and Human Services pursuant to this Chapter. Any action under this section shall only be taken by, or after consultation with, Department of Health and Human Services regional environmental health specialists, or the Director of the Division of Public Health or the Director's designee, in programs regulating food and drink pursuant to this Chapter or in programs regulating food and drink that are subject to rules adopted by the Commission. Authority under this section shall not be delegated to individual environmental health specialists in local health departments otherwise authorized and carrying out laws and rules pursuant to G.S. 130A-4. When any action is taken pursuant to this section, the Department of Health and Human Services or the local health director shall immediately notify the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. For the purposes of this subsection, all duties and procedures in G.S. 106-125 shall be carried out by the Secretary of Health and Human Services or the local health director and shall not be required to be carried out by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. It shall be unlawful for any person to remove or dispose of the food or drink by sale or otherwise without the permission of a Department of Health and Human Services regional environmental health specialist, the Director of the Division of Public Health or the Director's designee, the local health director, or a duly authorized agent of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, or by the court in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 106-125.
(b) Recodified as G.S. 106-266.36 by Session Laws 2011-145, s. 13.3(s), effective July 1, 2011.
(c) Recodified as G.S. 113-221.4 by Session Laws 2011-145, s. 13.3(ttt), effective July 1, 2011.
(d) Nothing in this section is intended to limit the embargo authority of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services are authorized to enter agreements respecting the duties and responsibilities of each agency in the exercise of their embargo authority.
(e) For the purpose of this section, a food or drink is adulterated if the food or drink is deemed adulterated under G.S. 106-129; and food or drink is misbranded if it is deemed misbranded under G.S. 106-130. (1983, c. 891, s. 2; 1997-261, s. 109; 1997-443, s. 11A.63A; 2006-80, s. 1; 2007-7, s. 1; 2011-145, ss. 13.3(s), (vv), (ww), (ttt).)
G.S. 130A-22 Administrative penalties.
§ 130A-22. Administrative penalties.
(a) The Secretary of Environmental Quality may impose an administrative penalty on a person who violates Article 9 of this Chapter, rules adopted by the Environmental Management Commission pursuant to Article 9, or any term or condition of a permit or order issued under Article 9. Each day of a continuing violation shall constitute a separate violation. The penalty shall not exceed fifteen thousand dollars ($15,000) per day in the case of a violation involving nonhazardous waste. The penalty shall not exceed thirty-two thousand five hundred dollars ($32,500) per day in the case of a first violation involving hazardous waste as defined in G.S. 130A-290 or involving the disposal of medical waste as defined in G.S. 130A-290 in or upon water in a manner that results in medical waste entering waters or lands of the State; and shall not exceed fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) per day for a second or further violation involving the disposal of medical waste as defined in G.S. 130A-290 in or upon water in a manner that results in medical waste entering waters or lands of the State. The penalty shall not exceed thirty-two thousand five hundred dollars ($32,500) per day for a violation involving a voluntary remedial action implemented pursuant to G.S. 130A-310.9(c) or a violation of the rules adopted pursuant to G.S. 130A-310.12(b). For violations of Part 7 of Article 9 of this Chapter and G.S. 130A-309.10(m): (i) a warning shall be issued for a first violation; (ii) the penalty shall not exceed two hundred dollars ($200.00) for a second violation; and (iii) the penalty shall not exceed five hundred dollars ($500.00) for subsequent violations. If a person fails to pay a civil penalty within 60 days after the final agency decision or court order has been served on the violator, the Secretary of Environmental Quality shall request the Attorney General to institute a civil action in the superior court of any county in which the violator resides or has his or its principal place of business to recover the amount of the assessment. Such civil actions must be filed within three years of the date the final agency decision or court order was served on the violator.
(a1) Part 5 of Article 21A of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes shall apply to the determination of civil liability or penalty pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.
(b) The Secretary of Environmental Quality may impose an administrative penalty on a person who violates G.S. 130A-325. Each day of a continuing violation shall constitute a separate violation. The penalty shall not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) for each day the violation continues.
(b1) The Secretary may impose an administrative penalty on a person who violates Article 19 of this Chapter or a rule adopted pursuant to that Article. Except as provided in subsection (b2) of this section, the penalty shall not exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) per day per violation. Until the Department has notified the person of the violation, a continuing violation shall be treated as one violation. Each day thereafter of a continuing violation shall be treated as a separate violation.
In determining the amount of a penalty under this subsection or subsection (b2) of this section, the Secretary shall consider all of the following factors:
(1) The degree and extent of harm to the natural resources of the State, to the public health, or to private property resulting from the violation.
(2) The duration and gravity of the violation.
(3) The effect on air quality.
(4) The cost of rectifying the damage.
(5) The amount of money the violator saved by noncompliance.
(6) The prior record of the violator in complying or failing to comply with Article 19 of this Chapter or a rule adopted pursuant to that Article.
(7) The cost to the State of the enforcement procedures.
(8) If applicable, the size of the renovation and demolition involved in the violation.
(b2) The penalty for violations of the asbestos NESHAP for demolition and renovation, as defined in G.S. 130A-444, shall not exceed ten thousand dollars ($10,000) per day per violation. Until the Department has provided the person with written notification of the violation of the asbestos NESHAP for demolition and renovation that describes the violation, recommends a general course of action, and establishes a time frame in which to correct the violations, a continuing violation shall be treated as one violation. Each day thereafter of a continuing violation shall be treated as a separate violation. A violation of the asbestos NESHAP for demolition and renovation is not considered to continue during the period a person who has received the notice of violation is following the general course of action and complying with the time frame set forth in the notice of violation.
(b3) The Secretary may impose an administrative penalty on a person who violates Article 19A, 19B, or 19C of this Chapter or any rules adopted pursuant to Article 19A, 19B, or 19C of this Chapter. Each day of a continuing violation is a separate violation. The penalty shall not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each day the violation continues for Article 19A of this Chapter. The penalty shall not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each day the violation continues for Article 19B of this Chapter. The penalty shall not exceed five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each day the violation continues for Article 19C of this Chapter. The penalty authorized by this section does not apply to a person who is not required to be certified under Article 19A or 19B.
(c) The Secretary may impose an administrative penalty on a person who willfully violates Article 11 of this Chapter, rules adopted by the Commission pursuant to Article 11 or any condition imposed upon a permit issued under Article 11. An administrative penalty may not be imposed upon a person who establishes that neither the site nor the system may be improved or a new system installed so as to comply with Article 11 of this Chapter. Each day of a continuing violation shall constitute a separate violation. The penalty shall not exceed fifty dollars ($50.00) per day in the case of a wastewater collection, treatment and disposal system with a design daily flow of no more than 480 gallons or in the case of any system serving a single one-family dwelling. The penalty shall not exceed three hundred dollars ($300.00) per day in the case of a wastewater collection, treatment and disposal system with a design daily flow of more than 480 gallons which does not serve a single one-family dwelling.
(c1) The Secretary may impose a monetary penalty on a vendor who violates rules adopted by the Commission pursuant to Article 13 of this Chapter when the Secretary determines that disqualification would result in hardship to participants in the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program. The penalty shall be calculated using the following formula: multiply five percent (5%) times the average dollar amount of the vendor's monthly redemptions of WIC food instruments for the 12-month period immediately preceding disqualification, then multiply that product by the number of months of the disqualification period determined by the Secretary.
(d) In determining the amount of the penalty in subsections (a), (b) and (c), the Secretary and the Secretary of Environmental Quality shall consider all of the following factors:
(1) Type of violation.
(2) Type of waste involved.
(3) Duration of the violation.
(4) Cause (whether resulting from a negligent, reckless, or intentional act or omission).
(5) Potential effect on public health and the environment.
(6) Effectiveness of responsive measures taken by the violator.
(7) Damage to private property.
(8) The degree and extent of harm caused by the violation.
(9) Cost of rectifying any damage.
(10) The amount of money the violator saved by noncompliance.
(11) The violator's previous record in complying or not complying with the provisions of Article 9 of this Chapter, Article 11 of this Chapter, or G.S. 130A-325, and any regulations adopted thereunder, as applicable to the violation in question.
(e) A person contesting a penalty shall, by filing a petition pursuant to G.S. 150B-23(a) not later than 30 days after receipt by the petitioner of the document which constitutes agency action, be entitled to an administrative hearing and judicial review in accordance with Chapter 150B of the General Statutes, the Administrative Procedure Act.
(f) The Commission shall adopt rules concerning the imposition of administrative penalties pursuant to this section that are under authority of the Secretary, and the Environmental Management Commission shall adopt rules concerning the imposition of administrative penalties pursuant to this section that are under authority of the Secretary of Environmental Quality.
(g) The Secretary or the Secretary of Environmental Quality may bring a civil action in the superior court of the county where the violation occurred or where the defendant resides to recover the amount of an administrative penalty authorized under this section whenever a person:
(1) Who has not requested an administrative hearing in accordance with subsection (e) of this section fails to pay the penalty within 60 days after being notified of the penalty; or
(2) Who has requested an administrative hearing fails to pay the penalty within 60 days after service of a written copy of the final agency decision.
(h) A local health director may impose an administrative penalty on any person who willfully violates the wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal rules of the local board of health adopted pursuant to G.S. 130A-335(c) or who willfully violates a condition imposed upon a permit issued under the approved local rules. An administrative penalty may not be imposed upon a person who establishes that neither the site nor the system may be improved or a new system installed so as to comply with Article 11 of this Chapter. The local health director shall establish and recover the amount of the administrative penalty in accordance with subsections (d) and (g). Each day of a continuing violation shall constitute a separate violation. The penalty shall not exceed fifty dollars ($50.00) per day in the case of a wastewater collection, treatment and disposal system with a design daily flow of no more than 480 gallons or in the case of any system serving a single one-family dwelling. The penalty shall not exceed three hundred dollars ($300.00) per day in the case of a wastewater collection, treatment and disposal system with a design daily flow of more than 480 gallons which does not serve a single one-family dwelling. A person contesting a penalty imposed under this subsection shall be entitled to an administrative hearing and judicial review in accordance with G.S. 130A-24. A local board of health shall adopt rules concerning the imposition of administrative penalties under this subsection.
(h1) A local health director may take the following actions and may impose the following administrative penalty on a person who manages, operates, or controls a public place or place of employment and fails to comply with the provisions of Part 1C of Article 23 of this Chapter or with rules adopted thereunder or with local ordinances, rules, laws, or policies adopted pursuant to Part 2 of Article 23 of this Chapter:
(1) First violation. - Provide the person in violation with written notice of the person's first violation and notification of action to be taken in the event of subsequent violations.
(2) Second violation. - Provide the person in violation with written notice of the person's second violation and notification of administrative penalties to be imposed for subsequent violations.
(3) Subsequent violations. - Impose on the person in violation an administrative penalty of not more than two hundred dollars ($200.00) for the third and subsequent violations.
Each day on which a violation of this Article or rules adopted pursuant to this Article occurs may be considered a separate and distinct violation. Notwithstanding G.S. 130A-25, a violation of Article 23 of this Chapter shall not be punishable as a criminal violation.
(i) The clear proceeds of penalties assessed pursuant to this section shall be remitted to the Civil Penalty and Forfeiture Fund in accordance with G.S. 115C-457.2.
(j) The Secretary of Environmental Quality may also assess the reasonable costs of any investigation, inspection, or monitoring associated with the assessment of the civil penalty against any person who is assessed a civil penalty under this section. (1983, c. 891, s. 2; 1987, c. 269, s. 2; c. 656; c. 704, s. 1; c. 827, s. 247; 1989, c. 742, s. 4; 1991, c. 691, s. 1; c. 725, s. 8; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 944, s. 11; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 686, s. 1; 1995, c. 504, s. 8; 1997-443, s. 11A.64; 1997-523, s. 2; 1998-215, s. 54(a); 2001-474, s. 21; 2002-154, s. 1; 2007-550, ss. 3(a), 4(a); 2009-27, s. 2; 2009-163, s. 2; 2009-488, s. 2; 2010-180, s. 14(c); 2011-145, s. 13.3(xx); 2013-378, s. 7; 2013-413, s. 49; 2015-241, s. 14.30(v); 2017-209, s. 19(b); 2020-74, s. 12(b); 2025-60, s. 3(b).)
G.S. 130A-23 Suspension and revocation of permits and program participation.
§ 130A-23. Suspension and revocation of permits and program participation.
(a) The Secretary may suspend or revoke a permit issued under this Chapter upon a finding that a violation of the applicable provisions of this Chapter, the rules of the Commission or a condition imposed upon the permit has occurred. A permit may also be suspended or revoked upon a finding that its issuance was based upon incorrect or inadequate information that materially affected the decision to issue the permit.
(b) The Secretary may suspend or revoke a person's participation in a program administered under this Chapter upon a finding that a violation of the applicable provisions of this Chapter or the rules of the Commission has occurred. Program participation may also be suspended or revoked upon a finding that participation was based upon incorrect or inadequate information that materially affected the decision to grant program participation.
(c) A person shall be given notice that there has been a tentative decision to suspend or revoke the permit or program participation and that an administrative hearing will be held in accordance with Chapter 150B of the General Statutes, the Administrative Procedure Act, at which time the person may challenge the tentative decision.
(d) A permit shall be suspended or revoked immediately if a violation of the Chapter, the rules or a condition imposed upon the permit presents an imminent hazard. An operation permit issued pursuant to G.S. 130A-281 shall be immediately suspended for failure of a public swimming pool to maintain minimum water quality or safety standards or design and construction standards pertaining to the abatement of suction hazards which result in an unsafe condition. A permit issued pursuant to G.S. 130A-248 shall be revoked immediately for failure of an establishment to maintain a minimum grade of C. The Secretary of Environmental Quality shall immediately give notice of the suspension or revocation and the right of the permit holder or program participant to appeal the suspension or revocation under G.S. 150B-23.
(e) The Secretary of Environmental Quality shall have all of the applicable rights enumerated in this section to enforce the provisions of Articles 9 and 10 of this Chapter. (1983, c. 891, s. 2; 1987, c. 827, s. 1; c. 438, s. 3; 1993, c. 211, s. 2; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 732, s. 2; 1995, c. 123, s. 15; 1997-443, s. 11A.65; 2011-145, s. 13.3(yy); 2015-241, s. 14.30(v).)
G.S. 130A-24 Appeals procedure.
§ 130A-24. Appeals procedure.
(a) Appeals concerning the enforcement of rules adopted by the Commission, concerning the suspension and revocation of permits and program participation by the Secretary and concerning the imposition of administrative penalties by the Secretary shall be governed by Chapter 150B of the General Statutes, the Administrative Procedure Act.
(a1) Any person appealing an action taken by the Department pursuant to this Chapter or rules of the Commission shall file a petition for a contested case with the Office of Administrative Hearings as provided in G.S. 150B-23(a). The petition shall be filed not later than 30 days after notice of the action which confers the right of appeal unless a federal statute or regulation provides for a different time limitation. The time limitation imposed under this subsection shall commence when notice of the agency decision is given to all persons aggrieved. Such notice shall be provided to all persons known to the agency by personal delivery or by the placing of notice in an official depository of the United States Postal Service addressed to the person at the latest address provided to the agency by the person.
(b) Appeals concerning the enforcement of rules adopted by the local board of health and concerning the imposition of administrative penalties by a local health director shall be conducted in accordance with this subsection and subsections (c) and (d) of this section. The aggrieved person shall give written notice of appeal to the local health director within 30 days of the challenged action. The notice shall contain the name and address of the aggrieved person, a description of the challenged action and a statement of the reasons why the challenged action is incorrect. Upon filing of the notice, the local health director shall, within five working days, transmit to the local board of health the notice of appeal and the papers and materials upon which the challenged action was taken.
(c) The local board of health shall hold a hearing within 15 days of the receipt of the notice of appeal. The board shall give the person not less than 10 days' notice of the date, time and place of the hearing. On appeal, the board shall have authority to affirm, modify or reverse the challenged action. The local board of health shall issue a written decision based on the evidence presented at the hearing. The decision shall contain a concise statement of the reasons for the decision.
(d) A person who wishes to contest a decision of the local board of health under subsection (b) of this section shall have a right of appeal to the district court having jurisdiction within 30 days after the date of the decision by the board. The scope of review in district court shall be the same as in G.S. 150B-51.
(e) The appeals procedures enumerated in this section shall apply to appeals concerning the enforcement of rules, the imposition of administrative penalties, or any other action taken by the Department of Environmental Quality pursuant to Articles 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 of this Chapter. (1983, c. 891, s. 2; 1987, c. 482; c. 827, s. 248; 1993, c. 211, s. 1; 1997-443, s. 11A.66; 1998-217, s. 33; 2015-241, s. 14.30(u).)
G.S. 130A-25 Misdemeanor.
§ 130A-25. Misdemeanor.
(a) Except as otherwise provided, a person who violates a provision of this Chapter or the rules adopted by the Commission or a local board of health shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
(b) A person convicted under this section for violation of G.S. 130A-144(f) or G.S. 130A-145 shall not be sentenced under Article 81B of Chapter 15A of the General Statutes but shall instead be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of no more than two years and shall serve any prison sentence in McCain Hospital, Division of Prisons, McCain, North Carolina; the North Carolina Correctional Center for Women, Division of Prisons, Raleigh, North Carolina; or any other confinement facility designated for this purpose by the Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction after consultation with the State Health Director. The Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction shall consult with the State Health Director concerning the medical management of these persons.
(c) Notwithstanding G.S. 148-4.1, G.S. 148-13, or any other contrary provision of law, a person imprisoned for violation of G.S. 130A-144(f) or G.S. 130A-145 shall not be released prior to the completion of the person's term of imprisonment unless and until a determination has been made by the District Court that release of the person would not create a danger to the public health. This determination shall be made only after the medical consultant of the confinement facility and the State Health Director, in consultation with the local health director of the person's county of residence, have made recommendations to the Court.
(d) A violation of Part 7 of Article 9 of this Chapter or G.S. 130A-309.10(m) shall be punishable as a Class 3 misdemeanor. (1983, c. 891, s. 2; 1987, c. 782, s. 19; 1991, c. 187, s. 1; 1993, c. 539, s. 946; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 767, s. 18; 2010-180, s. 14(d); 2011-145, s. 19.1(h), (i), (j); 2017-186, ss. 2(vvvvv), 3(a); 2021-180, ss. 19C.9(o), (r).)
G.S. 130A-26.1 Criminal violation of Article 9.
§ 130A-26.1. Criminal violation of Article 9.
(a) The definition of "person" set out in G.S. 130A-290 shall apply to this section. In addition, for purposes of this section, the term "person" shall also include any responsible corporate or public officer or employee.
(b) No proceeding shall be brought or continued under this section for or on account of a violation by any person who has previously been convicted of a federal violation based upon the same set of facts.
(c) In proving the defendant's possession of actual knowledge, circumstantial evidence may be used, including evidence that the defendant took affirmative steps to shield himself from relevant information. Consistent with the principles of common law, the subjective mental state of defendants may be inferred from their conduct.
(d) For the purposes of the felony provisions of this section, a person's state of mind shall not be found "knowingly and willfully" or "knowingly" if the conduct that is the subject of the prosecution is the result of any of the following occurrences or circumstances:
(1) A natural disaster or other act of God which could not have been prevented or avoided by the exercise of due care or foresight.
(2) An act of third parties other than agents, employees, contractors, or subcontractors of the defendant.
(3) An act done in reliance on the written advice or emergency on-site direction of an employee of the Department of Environmental Quality. In emergencies, oral advice may be relied upon if written confirmation is delivered to the employee as soon as practicable after receiving and relying on the advice.
(4) An act causing no significant harm to the environment or risk to the public health, safety, or welfare and done in compliance with other conflicting environmental requirements or other constraints imposed in writing by environmental agencies or officials after written notice is delivered to all relevant agencies that the conflict exists and will cause a violation of the identified standard.
(5) Violations of permit limitations causing no significant harm to the environment or risk to the public health, safety, or welfare for which no enforcement action or civil penalty could have been imposed under any written civil enforcement guidelines in use by the Department of Environmental Quality at the time, including but not limited to, guidelines for the pretreatment permit civil penalties. This subdivision shall not be construed to require the Department of Environmental Quality to develop or use written civil enforcement guidelines.
(e) All general defenses, affirmative defenses, and bars to prosecution that may apply with respect to other criminal offenses under State criminal offenses may apply to prosecutions brought under this section or other criminal statutes that refer to this section and shall be determined by the courts of this State according to the principles of common law as they may be applied in the light of reason and experience. Concepts of justification and excuse applicable under this section may be developed in the light of reason and experience.
(f) Any person who knowingly and willfully does any of the following shall be guilty of a Class I felony, which may include a fine not to exceed one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) per day of violation, provided that this fine shall not exceed a cumulative total of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) for each period of 30 days during which a violation continues:
(1) Transports or causes to be transported any hazardous waste identified or listed under G.S. 130A-294(c) to a facility which does not have a permit or interim status under G.S. 130A-294(c) or 42 U.S.C. § 6921, et seq.
(2) Transports or causes to be transported such hazardous waste with the intent of delivery to a facility without a permit.
(3) Treats, stores, or disposes of such hazardous waste without a permit or interim status under G.S. 130A-294(c) or 42 U.S.C. §6921, et seq., or in knowing violation of any material condition or requirement or such permit or applicable interim status rules.
(g) Any person who knowingly and willfully does any of the following shall be guilty of a Class I felony, which may include a fine not to exceed one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000) per day of violation, provided that the fine shall not exceed a cumulative total of five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) for each period of 30 days during which a violation continues:
(1) Transports or causes to be transported hazardous waste without a manifest as required under G.S. 130A-294(c).
(2) Transports hazardous waste without a United States Environmental Protection Agency identification number as required by rules promulgated under G.S. 130A-294(c).
(3) Omits material information or makes any false material statement or representation in any application, label, manifest, record, report, permit, or other document filed, maintained, or used for purposes of compliance with rules promulgated under G.S. 130A-294(c).
(4) Generates, stores, treats, transports, disposes of, exports, or otherwise handles any hazardous waste or any used oil burned for energy recovery and who knowingly destroys, alters, conceals, or fails to file any record, application, manifest, report, or other document required to be maintained or filed for purposes of compliance with rules promulgated under G.S. 130A-294(c).
(5) Provides false information or fails to provide information relevant to a decision by the Department as to whether or not to enter into a brownfields agreement under Part 5 of Article 9 of this Chapter.
(6) Provides false information or fails to provide information required by a brownfields agreement under Part 5 of Article 9 of this Chapter.
(7) Provides false information relevant to a decision by the Department pursuant to:
a. G.S. 130A-308(b).
b. G.S. 130A-310.7(c).
c. G.S. 143-215.3(f).
d. G.S. 143-215.84(e).
(h) For the purposes of subsections (f) and (g) of this section, the phrase "knowingly and willfully" shall mean intentionally and consciously as the courts of this State, according to the principles of common law interpret the phrase in the light of reason and experience.
(i) (1) Any person who knowingly transports, treats, stores, disposes of, or exports any hazardous waste or used oil regulated under G.S. 130A-294(c) in violation of subsection (f) or (g) of this section, who knows at the time that he thereby places another person in imminent danger of death or personal bodily injury shall be guilty of a Class C felony which may include a fine not to exceed two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) per day of violation, provided that this fine shall not exceed a cumulative total of one million dollars ($1,000,000) for each period of 30 days during which a violation continues.
(2) For the purposes of this subsection, a person's state of mind is knowing with respect to:
a. His conduct, if he is aware of the nature of his conduct;
b. An existing circumstance, if he is aware or believes that the circumstance exists; or
c. A result of his conduct, if he is aware or believes that his conduct is substantially certain to cause danger of death or serious bodily injury.
(3) Under this subsection, in determining whether a defendant who is a natural person knew that his conduct placed another person in imminent danger of death or serious bodily injury:
a. The person is responsible only for actual awareness or actual belief that he possessed; and
b. Knowledge possessed by a person other than the defendant but not by the defendant himself may not be attributed to the defendant.
(4) It is an affirmative defense to a prosecution under this subsection that the conduct charged was conduct consented to by the person endangered and that the danger and conduct charged were reasonably foreseeable hazards of an occupation, a business, or a profession; or of medical treatment or medical or scientific experimentation conducted by professionally approved methods and such other person had been made aware of the risks involved prior to giving consent. The defendant may establish an affirmative defense under this subdivision by a preponderance of the evidence.
(j) Any person convicted of an offense under subsection (f), (g), or (h) of this section following a previous conviction under this section shall be subject to a fine, or imprisonment, or both, not exceeding twice the amount of the fine, or twice the term of imprisonment provided in the subsection under which the second or subsequent conviction occurs. (1989 (Reg. Sess., 1990), c. 1045, s. 9; 1993, c. 539, ss. 1303-1305; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c); 1997-357, s. 3; 1997-443, s. 11A.67; 2015-241, s. 14.30(u).)
G.S. 130A-26.2 Penalty for false reporting under Article 9.
§ 130A-26.2. Penalty for false reporting under Article 9.
Any person who knowingly makes any false statement, representation, or certification in any application, record, report, plan, or other document filed or required to be maintained under Article 9 of this Chapter or rules adopted under Article 9 of this Chapter; or who knowingly makes a false statement of a material fact in a rulemaking proceeding or contested case under Article 9 of this Chapter; or who falsifies, tampers with, or knowingly renders inaccurate any recording or monitoring device or method required to be operated or maintained under Article 9 of this Chapter or rules adopted under Article 9 of this Chapter is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. The maximum fine that may be imposed for an offense under this section is ten thousand dollars ($10,000). (1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 598, s. 3; 2025-25, s. 29(6).)
G.S. 130A-26.3 Limitations period for certain groundwater contamination actions.
§ 130A-26.3. Limitations period for certain groundwater contamination actions.
The 10-year period set forth in G.S. 1-52(16) shall not be construed to bar an action for personal injury, or property damages caused or contributed to by groundwater contaminated by a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant, including personal injury or property damages resulting from the consumption, exposure, or use of water supplied from groundwater contaminated by a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant. For purposes of this section, "contaminated by a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant" means the concentration of the hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant exceeds a groundwater quality standard set forth in 15A NCAC 2L .0202. (2014-17, s. 3; 2014-44, ss. 1(b), (c).)
G.S. 130A-26.4 Violations of Article 4.
§ 130A-26.4. Violations of Article 4.
(a) A person who commits any of the following acts shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor:
(1) Willfully and knowingly makes any false statement in a certificate, record, or report required by Article 4 of this Chapter.
(2) Removes or permits the removal of a dead body of a human being without authorization provided in Article 4 of this Chapter.
(3) Refuses or fails to furnish correctly any information in the person's possession or furnishes false information affecting a certificate or record required by Article 4 of this Chapter.
(4) Fails, neglects, or refuses to perform any act or duty required by Article 4 of this Chapter or by the instructions of the State Registrar prepared under authority of the Article.
(5) Charges a fee for performing any act or duty required by Article 4 of this Chapter or by the State Registrar pursuant to Article 4 of this Chapter, other than fees specifically authorized by law.
(b) A person who commits any of the following acts shall be guilty of a Class I felony:
(1) Willfully and knowingly makes any false statement in an application for a certified copy of a vital record, or who willfully and knowingly supplies false information intending that the information be used in the obtaining of any copy of a vital record.
(2) Without lawful authority and with the intent to deceive makes, counterfeits, alters, amends, or mutilates a certificate, record, or report required by Article 4 of this Chapter or a certified copy of the certificate, record, or report.
(3) Willfully and knowingly obtains, possesses, sells, furnishes, uses, or attempts to use for any purpose of deception, a certificate, record, or report required by Article 4 of this Chapter or a certified copy of the certificate, record, or report, which is counterfeited, altered, amended, or mutilated, or which is false in whole or in part or which relates to the birth of another person, whether living or deceased.
(4) When employed by the Vital Records Section of the Department or designated under Article 4 of this Chapter, willfully and knowingly furnishes or processes a certificate of birth, death, marriage, or divorce, or certified copy of a certificate of birth, death, marriage, or divorce with the knowledge or intention that it be used for the purposes of deception.
(5) Without lawful authority possesses a certificate, record, or report required by Article 4 of this Chapter or a certified copy of the certificate, record, or report knowing that it was stolen or otherwise unlawfully obtained.
(6) Willfully alters, except as provided by G.S. 130A-118, or falsifies a certificate or record required by Article 4 of this Chapter; or willfully alters, falsifies, or changes a photocopy, certified copy, extract copy, or any document containing information obtained from an original or copy of a certificate or record required by Article 4 of this Chapter; or willfully makes, creates, or uses any altered, falsified, or changed record, reproduction, copy, or document for the purpose of attempting to prove or establish for any purpose whatsoever any matter purported to be shown on it.
(7) Without lawful authority, manufactures or possesses the seal of: (i) the Vital Records Section, (ii) a county register of deeds, or (iii) a county health department, or without lawful authority, manufactures or possesses a reproduction or a counterfeit copy of the seal.
(8) Without lawful authority prepares or issues any certificate which purports to be an official certified copy of a vital record.
(9) Without lawful authority, manufactures or possesses Vital Records Section, county register of deeds, or county health department vital records forms or safety paper used to certify births, deaths, marriages, and divorces, or reproductions or counterfeit copies of the forms or safety paper.
(10) Willfully and knowingly furnishes a certificate of birth or certified copy of a record of birth with the intention that it be used by an unauthorized person or for an unauthorized purpose. (1995, c. 311, s. 2; 2018-142, s. 17.)
G.S. 130A-27 Recovery of money.
§ 130A-27. Recovery of money.
The Secretary or the Secretary of Environmental Quality may institute an action in the county where the action arose or the county where the defendant resides to recover any money, other property or interest in property or the monetary value of goods or services provided or paid for by the Department or the Secretary of Environmental Quality which are wrongfully paid or transferred to a person under a program administered by the Department or the Secretary of Environmental Quality pursuant to this Chapter. (1983, c. 891, s. 2; 1997-443, s. 11A.68; 2015-241, s. 14.30(v).)
G.S. 130A-28 Forfeiture of gain.
§ 130A-28. Forfeiture of gain.
In the case of a violation of this Chapter or the rules adopted by the Commission, money or other property or interest in property so acquired shall be forfeited to the State unless ownership by an innocent person may be established. An action may be instituted by the Attorney General or a district attorney pursuant to G.S. 1-532. (1983, c. 891, s. 2.)
Source: North Carolina General Assembly (ncleg.gov)URL: https://www.ncleg.gov/EnactedLegislation/Statutes/HTML/ByChapter/Chapter_130A.htmlFetched: 10/19/2026