H615 Summary

• Repeals the certified substance abuse residential facility director credential, effective upon expiration of all existing credentials issued before this act.

• Clarifies that independent study cannot include traditional classroom-based instruction and defines traditional classroom-based study as face-to-face or shared communication methods including audio/video conferencing.

• Increases required board-approved education hours from 270 to 300 hours for substance abuse counselor, substance abuse prevention consultant, and criminal justice addictions professional certification (or 180 hours with a master's degree in a clinical application with substance abuse specialty).

• Modifies the North Carolina Substance Abuse Professional Practice Board membership by eliminating three lay members and adding four credentialed professionals and adjusting public member appointments by the Governor and General Assembly.

• Establishes the North Carolina Impaired Professionals Program to provide screening, referral, monitoring, and support services for credentialed professionals with impairments from physical/mental illness, substance use disorder, or professional sexual misconduct, with confidentiality protections and mandatory reporting of unsafe practitioners to the Board.