Senate Bill 519 Summary

• Requires firms to obtain licenses and individuals to obtain permits from the North Carolina Commissioner of Insurance before installing, inspecting, repairing, servicing, or testing portable fire extinguishers and fire suppression systems.

• Establishes license fees of $250 and permit fees of $100, with exemptions for federal, state, and local government employees and fire department members acting in official capacity.

• Mandates firms maintain minimum $1,000,000 comprehensive liability insurance coverage including bodily injury, property damage, products liability, and contractual liability.

• Authorizes the Commissioner to adopt rules establishing proper installation and service standards, requiring service tags with completion dates, and mandating examinations for licensure and permitting.

• Establishes civil penalties up to $1,000 for first offense, $2,000 for second offense, and up to $5,000 for third or subsequent offenses; criminal penalties include Class 1 misdemeanor charges for willful violations.

• Effective January 1, 2020.