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Bill

SB 848

Rio's Law.

2025-2026 Session Introduced by Jim Burgin and 2 co-sponsors

Implements mandatory autism and neurodiversity training for public safety, EMS, and fire personnel, plus an ASD designation license plate.

Passed 1st Reading
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Bill Summary · SB 848

Summary of North Carolina Senate Bill 848 (Rio's Law) – Session 2025

Overview

  • Short Title: Rio's Law
  • Sponsor: Senator Hise (Primary)
  • Jurisdiction: North Carolina
  • Status: Filed April 27, 2026
  • Purpose: Establish and mandate autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and neurodiversity training for certain public safety and emergency services personnel; recognize ASD designation plates; expand training standards for criminal justice officers to include interaction with autistic individuals and deaf/hard of hearing individuals.

What the bill would do

1) Training standards for criminal justice officers (G.S. 17C-6 and G.S. 17E-4)

  • New focus: Requires the North Carolina Criminal Justice Education and Training Commission (and the Commission on Law Enforcement) to establish minimum educational and training standards for:
    • Recognizing and appropriately interacting with:
    • Persons who are deaf or hard of hearing
    • Persons with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
    • Recognizing the autism spectrum disorder special registration plate
  • Applicability: Training standards apply to recruitment, ongoing education, and professional development of criminal justice officers.
  • Implementation: Training standards would be enforceable via the commission’s rules, certification procedures, or related statute provisions.

2) Autism Spectrum Disorder Special Registration Plate (G.S. 20-79.4)

  • ASD Plate: Adds or formalizes an “Autism Spectrum Disorder Designation” plate.
    • Plate bears the phrase: “Autistic/Neurodivergent” and a “Just Bee” logo (approval by Just Bee, Inc.).
    • Eligibility: Must have documentation verifying an ASD diagnosis.
    • Acceptable verification: Medical or mental health professional documentation, certification, or examination confirming ASD.
    • The Revisor of Statutes will alphabetize and renumber ASD plates to ensure orderly listing.

3) EMS and emergency medical services personnel training (G.S. 131E)

  • New requirement: The Medical Care Commission (MCC) and the North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services (NCOEMS) must adopt rules to require certified ASD/neurodiversity training for all emergency medical services (EMS) personnel seeking credentialing under Article 7, Chapter 131E.
  • Timeline for credentialing requirements:
    • By Oct. 1, 2027: Training for all new credentialed EMS personnel must be completed as a condition of initial credentialing (per NCAC Title 10A Subchapter 13P).
    • By Oct. 1, 2028: Completion of ASD/neurodiversity training required for credential renewal of EMS personnel.
  • Flexibility: MCC and NCOEMS may contract with associations meeting National EMS Education Standards, consistent with NCAC requirements.

4) Fire service and rescue training (G.S. 58-78-5)

  • State Fire Education and Training Plan: By Oct. 1, 2027, the State Fire and Rescue Commission must incorporate certified ASD/neurodiversity training into:
    • State Fire Education and Training Plan
    • State Master Plan for Fire Prevention and Control
    • Rescue Training Plan
    • State Master Plan for Rescue Services

5) Effective date

  • The act becomes law upon enactment.

Who is affected

  • Criminal justice officers (police, sheriff’s deputies, etc.) in North Carolina → new minimum training standards focusing on ASD and deaf/hard-of-hearing interactions; recognition of ASD plates.
  • Automotive/Registration: Drivers who qualify for the ASD special registration plate and who provide qualifying ASD documentation.
  • Emergency medical services personnel (EMS) and related credentialing entities (MCC, NCOEMS) → ASD/neurodiversity training requirements for initial credentialing and renewals.
  • Firefighters and rescue personnel and their training programs → integration of ASD/neurodiversity training into statewide plans.

Key timelines and procedural notes

  • Credentialing for EMS personnel:
    • New credentialing requirement by Oct. 1, 2027 (initial credentialing).
    • Renewal credentialing requirement by Oct. 1, 2028.
  • Fire/Rescue training plans: ASD/neurodiversity training included by Oct. 1, 2027.
  • Plate designation implementation: Requires verification processes for ASD; plate designation is incorporated into the ASD plate program under G.S. 20-79.4(b).

Practical impact

  • Anticipated to improve interactions between public safety personnel and autistic or neurodivergent individuals.
  • Aligns training with ASD awareness and inclusive practices across law enforcement, EMS, and fire/rescue services.
  • Creates a formal process for recognizing ASD through a specialized license plate and standardizes documentation requirements.
  • Promotes ongoing education and credentialing requirements to include neurodiversity awareness.

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

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