NC H298

Creates new criminal offense in North Carolina General Statutes § 90-413 for health care providers who knowingly and willfully destroy, alter, or falsify medical records or direct others to do so.

Establishes three categories of prohibited conduct: concealing medical errors causing patient injury or death, unlawfully obtaining money or things of value, and concealing material facts relating to potential claims or causes of action.

Violations of concealing medical errors are Class H felonies, violations for obtaining money are Class I felonies, and violations for concealing other material facts are Class A1 misdemeanors.

Preserves all existing civil remedies for actions punishable under the new statute, preventing the criminal provision from limiting civil liability.

Becomes effective December 1, 2023, and applies only to offenses committed on or after that date.