NC H224

Adds Article 7 to Chapter 122C of the General Statutes to prevent North Carolina and its local governments from asserting claims against opioid settlement defendants under the Initial Opioid Consent Judgments (McKesson, Cardinal Health, AmerisourceBergen, Johnson & Johnson, and Janssen entities) and Subsequent Opioid Settlement Agreements (Walmart, Teva, Allergan, CVS, and Walgreens).

Prohibits state and local units of government from filing new lawsuits asserting released claims against released entities covered by the settlement agreements, with an exception allowing the State to initiate civil actions to obtain consent judgments that effectuate the Subsequent Opioid Settlement Agreements.

North Carolina's share of settlement payments totals approximately $1.35 billion over 18-15 years ($750 million from Initial Consent Judgments, $600 million from Subsequent Settlement Agreements), distributed to the State and over 140 units of local government.

The prohibition applies to Initial Released Claims whether asserted before or after the act's effective date, while Subsequent Released Claims filed by local governments before November 1, 2022 are exempt from the prohibition.

Preserves all remedies available under the Initial Opioid Consent Judgments and Subsequent Opioid Settlement Agreements, and becomes effective upon enactment.