Creates new Article 7, GS Chapter 166A, to establish the Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Team (DMORT) within the Division of Emergency Management of the Department of Public Safety to assist local mortuary services with emergency response and recovery operations after declared disasters. The Director of Emergency Management (Director) shall oversee DMORT, which shall consist of several licensed and trained professionals whose primary objectives are to respond to disaster areas or mass fatality incidents by identifying victims; reuniting families; recovering, decontaminating, and examining victims, and transporting deceased individuals to families and counties of residence. Specifies the ten kinds of professionals who must be members of the DMORT team.
Requires the Director to develop a response plan utilizing DMORT objectives and to integrate DMORT into the NC Emergency Operations Plan for disaster response and recovery. Requires the Division, within available appropriations, to (1) expend the necessary funds for training, equipment, and other items necessary to support DMORT operations, (2) to coordinate with DMORT for periodic training for DMORT members, and (3) to coordinate with appropriate state agencies and organizations, including the NC Board of Funeral Service, the Medical Care Commission, the Department of Health and Human Services, local emergency management departments, first responder associations and organizations, and any other state agency or organization the Division deems appropriate.
Requires DMORT to provide transportation services for the return of victims to counties of residence and family members for proper burial or cremation. Directs DMORT to specialize in the following operations:
(1) Tracking and documenting human remains and personal effects.
(2) Establishing temporary morgue facilities.
(3) Assisting in the determination of cause and manner of death.
(4) Collecting ante-mortem data.
(5) Collection of medical records, dental records, or DNA of victims from next of kin to assist in victim identification.
(6) Performing postmortem data collection.
(7) Documentation during field retrieval and morgue operations.
(8) Performing forensic dental pathology and forensic anthropology methods.
(9) Preparing, processing, and returning human remains and personal effects to appropriate recipients.
(10) Processing and re-internment of disinterred remains.
(11) Providing technical assistance and consultation on fatality management and mortuary affairs.
Grants DMORT members immunity from liability while on DMORT missions by applying the provisions GS 166A-19.60(a).
Effective October 1, 2025.
Authorizes the Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Management, and the NC Board of Funeral Service to adopt rules implementing the act.