18 New North Carolina Laws Going Into Effect January 1, 2022

MOORESVILLE, NC — Every year there are various laws that go into effect as the calendar year changes and this year is no exception. Here's a list of what to expect come January 1, 2022 and you can click on the link in each bill to read more about it.

1. SB 103: Reduces regulations to help children with Autism. It's officially an act to reduce unnecessary regulatory constraints for applied behavior analysis.
2. SB 248: Adds additional information to health insurance cards regarding dental plans.
3. HB 160: Retirement service purchase rewrite system. This is administrative changes to teacher, state and local government employee and judge's retirement plans.
4. HB 734: Department of health and human services revisions. This in part is to help protect citizens from unlicensed mental health facilities.
5. HB 366: This is part of the Regulatory Relief Act which works on regulations for many things including allowing distilleries to sell alcoholic beverages directly to people in other states. It also mandates that Pre-K programs and kindergarten programs are publicly available online. There's also a detailed section involving rentals and landlords, and another about wastewater.
6. HB 489: 2021 Building Code and Development reforms. This one changes building codes and updates development reforms.
7. SB 693: Expedite Child Safety and Permanency. This law is an act to amend various abuse, neglect and dependency laws to ensure the safety of children in "out-of-home" placements and to expedite permanency planning hearing for children removed from the home.
8. HB 436: Supports law enforcement mental health. Under this act, it is required to screen law enforcement officers prior to certification or employment, educate them on maintaining good mental health and to provide mental health resources. It also creates a physical fitness study.
9. SB 300: Criminal Justice Reform. This act increases protections, training and oversight for state and local law enforcement officers. It creates a decertification database, and requires use of the FBI's Next Generation Identification System.
10. HB 27: This one has to do with making sure magistrates have the training they need to be magistrates.
11. HB 403: Clarifies laws governing new motor vehicle dealer franchises.
12. HB 890: This changes rules and regulations pertaining to the ABC Commission. For instance, it allows online orders at ABC stores. It's 28 pages long.
13. SB 542: State Health Plan Combat Fraud/Property Finders Standards. This one incentivizes plan members to report fraud, waste and abuse by health care providers.
14. HB 685: Electronic Transaction Fees/Official Fees. This act allows the recovery of electronic transaction fees imposed by third parties and amends the retail installment sales act to clarify what "official fees" mean.
15. SB 435: This is an act to make changes to statues involving Guaranteed Asset Protection Waivers and to create an article governing Vehicle Value Protection Agreements.
16. SB 270. This has to do with technical insurance changes.
17. SB 308 is more to do with building codes.
18. SB 473 increases local government transparency.