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), Neal 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.
Emergency medical workers can carry pepper spray
Beginning July 1, 2025, trained and provider‑approved EMS personnel can carry pepper spray while on duty, openly or concealed. The State EMS office and Commission set the rules and training, which cannot exceed basic law‑enforcement standards. Your EMS employer must approve you before you carry. Spraying inside the ambulance during patient transport is not allowed. Pepper spray includes mace, oleoresin capsicum (OC), and tear gas.
EMS can treat injured police and rescue dogs
Starting July 31, 2025, EMS personnel may give emergency care and transport to injured police K‑9s and certified search‑and‑rescue dogs at the scene. Dispatch‑only staff are not included. EMS who act in good faith receive limited immunity from prosecution and civil liability, except for gross negligence, wanton conduct, or intentional wrongdoing. A search‑and‑rescue dog must be nationally certified and deployed by or contracted to a government agency.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
Brian Biggs
Republican • House
Neal Jackson
Republican • House
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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