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HB 991

Physicians and Surgeons - As introduced, allows, instead of requires, the governor to consult with medical groups in making appointments to the board of medical examiners. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29; Title 63 and Title 68.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Michael Hale

Establishes a statewide DMORT unit under the Division of Emergency Management to assist with fatality management, victim identification, temporary morgues, and return of remains du

P2C, caption bill, held on desk - pending amdt.
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Bill Summary · HB 991

HB 991 — Establish Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team (DMORT)

Status: Passed 1st Reading (House); Bill text (First Edition) adds a new Article to Chapter 166A (Emergency Management).
Primary sponsor: Rep. B. Jones (multiple sponsors noted in various editions).
Key effective dates: Section establishing DMORT effective October 1, 2025; remainder effective upon enactment.

Main purpose

Create a statewide, organized Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team (DMORT) within the Division of Emergency Management (DEM), Department of Public Safety (DPS), to support local mortuary and fatality-management needs during declared disasters or mass-fatality incidents.

Key provisions

  • Establishment and oversight
    • Adds Article 7 to Chapter 166A (new sections §166A-70 through §166A-74).
    • DEM Director oversees DMORT and must integrate DMORT into the North Carolina Emergency Operations Plan.
  • Composition (minimum)
    • Licensed funeral directors and funeral service professionals
    • Medical examiners
    • Licensed dentists and dental hygienists
    • Licensed embalmers
    • Fingerprint specialists/examiners (current or retired from SBI)
    • Administrative specialists (current or retired from DPS)
    • Various Private Protective Services licensees, forensic specialists, and diagnostic radiologic technologists
  • Duties and specialized operations
    • Victim identification, tracking and documentation of human remains and personal effects
    • Establish temporary morgue facilities and documentation procedures
    • Collect ante-mortem and postmortem data; assist in cause/manner-of-death determinations
    • Collect medical/dental records or DNA from next of kin for identification
    • Perform forensic dental pathology and anthropology as needed
    • Prepare, process, return remains and personal effects; process/re-interment of disinterred remains
    • Provide technical assistance and consultation on fatality management and mortuary affairs
  • Transportation
    • DMORT may transport remains to counties of residence; must make reasonable attempts to comply with state/local law and North Carolina Board of Funeral Service rules within emergency areas and must comply with all laws/rules when transporting outside the emergency area.
  • Training, funding, and administration
    • DEM to coordinate periodic training and may spend funds for training, equipment, and support “within available appropriations.”
    • DEM may administer grants made available for DMORT.
  • Immunity and rulemaking
    • DMORT members receive liability protection consistent with G.S. 166A‑19.60(a) while on authorized missions.
    • DEM and the NC Board of Funeral Service are authorized to adopt implementing rules and must coordinate rulemaking.

Who is affected

  • Department of Public Safety / Division of Emergency Management (administration and integration)
  • North Carolina Board of Funeral Service (rule coordination; standards)
  • Licensed funeral professionals, embalmers, medical examiners, dentists, forensic specialists, SBI personnel, and related practitioners who may be DMORT members
  • County/local emergency management and public health agencies (operational coordination)
  • Families and communities affected by disasters (faster identification/return of remains)

Fiscal and timeline considerations

  • Implementation is subject to available appropriations; the bill authorizes DEM to spend funds and administer grants but does not specify funding amounts.
  • Core statutory DMORT authority takes effect October 1, 2025; other provisions effective upon the act’s becoming law. Legislative rulemaking and interagency coordination will be needed before operational deployment.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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