All Roll Calls
Yes: 252 • No: 5
North CarolinaHB 9752025-2026 SessionHouse
AN ACT TO ALLOW EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES PERSONNEL, WHILE ON DUTY, TO CARRY PEPPER SPRAY OPENLY OR CONCEALED.
Sponsored By: Brian Biggs (Republican), Brent Jackson (Republican), Paul Scott (Republican)
Signed by Governor
ADMINISTRATIVE CODEADMINISTRATIVE RULESANIMALSCOMMISSIONSEMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICESEMERGENCY SERVICESHEALTH SERVICESLAW ENFORCEMENTMEDICAL CARE COMN
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
EMS staff can carry pepper spray
Beginning July 1, 2025, EMS personnel may carry pepper spray on duty, open or concealed, under state EMS rules. You must complete any required pepper spray training, which cannot exceed basic law enforcement training standards. You must also have approval from your EMS provider under its policy. You may not discharge pepper spray in the ambulance compartment during patient transport. Pepper spray includes mace, oleoresin capsicum, pepper spray, or tear gas.
EMS treatment and immunity for K-9s
EMS personnel (not dispatchers only) may give emergency care or transport to an injured police K-9 or certified search-and-rescue dog at an emergency scene. Doing so does not violate veterinary licensing rules. If you act in good faith, the law gives you immunity from criminal prosecution for that care or transport. Immunity does not cover gross negligence, wanton conduct, or intentional wrongdoing. A search-and-rescue dog must be certified by a national group and deployed by or under contract with a government agency. This part starts 30 days after the law was signed and applies to acts on or after that date.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Brian Biggs
Republican • House
Brent Jackson
Republican • Senate
Paul Scott
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Jennifer Balkcom
Republican • House
Jimmy Dixon
Republican • House
Bill Ward
Republican • House
Donna McDowell White
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 6/24/2025
HB 975: EMS Personnel Provisions.
Yes: 110 • No: 0 • Other: 9
Senate vote • 6/19/2025
HB 975: EMS Personnel Provisions.
Yes: 37 • No: 4 • Other: 9
House vote • 4/30/2025
HB 975: EMS Personnel/Allow Carry of Pepper Spray.
Yes: 105 • No: 1 • Other: 11
Actions Timeline
Ch. SL 2025-42
7/1/2025HouseSigned by Gov. 7/1/2025
7/1/2025HousePres. To Gov. 6/26/2025
6/26/2025HouseRatified
6/25/2025HouseOrdered Enrolled
6/24/2025HouseConcurred In S Com Sub
6/24/2025HousePlaced On Cal For 06/24/2025
6/23/2025HouseCal Pursuant 36(b)
6/19/2025HouseSpecial Message Received For Concurrence in S Com Sub
6/19/2025HouseSpecial Message Sent To House
6/19/2025SenatePassed 3rd Reading
6/19/2025SenatePassed 2nd Reading
6/19/2025SenateReptd Fav
6/18/2025SenateRe-ref Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
6/17/2025SenateCom Substitute Adopted
6/17/2025SenateReptd Fav Com Substitute
6/17/2025SenateRe-ref to Health Care. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate
6/9/2025SenateWithdrawn From Com
6/9/2025SenateRef To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
5/1/2025SenatePassed 1st Reading
5/1/2025SenateRegular Message Received From House
5/1/2025SenateRegular Message Sent To Senate
5/1/2025HousePassed 3rd Reading
4/30/2025HousePassed 2nd Reading
4/30/2025HousePlaced On Cal For 04/30/2025
4/29/2025House
Bill Text
Edition 1
Edition 2
Edition 3
Edition 4
Filed
Latest Edition
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