A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT authorizing certain medical professionals to prescribe hyperbaric oxygen therapy for veterans with traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorder.
Whereas, hyperbaric oxygen therapy is a recognized and accepted treatment for wound care and inflammation disorders; and
Whereas, traumatic brain injury and posttraumatic stress disorder are recognized to result from brain injuries and subsequent inflammation; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  This act shall be known and may be cited as the ''North Carolina Veterans Traumatic Brain Injury and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Treatment and Recovery Act of 2019."
SECTION 2.(a)  G.S. 122C‑455 through G.S. 122C‑464. Reserved for future codification purposes.
SECTION 2.(b)  Article 6 of Chapter 122C of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Part to read:
"Part 5. Traumatic Brain Injury and Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Services for Veterans.
"§ 122C‑465.  Definitions.
As used in this Part, the following definitions apply:
(1)	Authorized medical professional. – A doctor of medicine, nurse practitioner, physician assistant, or doctor of osteopathy licensed to practice in this State.
(2)	Hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment. – Treatment with a valid prescription from an authorized medical professional in either a hyperbaric chamber approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), or a device with an appropriate FDA‑approved investigational device exemption.
(3)	Veteran. – A person who served on active duty, other than for training, in any component of the Armed Forces of the United States for a period of 180 days or more, unless released earlier because of service‑connected disability, and who was discharged or released from the Armed Forces of the United States under other than dishonorable conditions.
"§ 122C‑465.1.  Hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment authorized.
(a)	No person other than an authorized medical professional shall prescribe hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment to a veteran for the treatment of traumatic brain injury or posttraumatic stress disorder. Any authorized medical professional who prescribes hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment to a veteran for traumatic brain injury or posttraumatic stress disorder shall do so in a manner that complies with the standard approved treatment protocols for this therapy.
(b)	Any veteran residing in North Carolina who has been diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury or posttraumatic stress disorder by an authorized medical professional may receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy treatment in this State."
SECTION 2.(c)  G.S. 122C‑465.2 through G.S. 122C‑465.5. Reserved for future codification purposes.
SECTION 3.  This act becomes effective October 1, 2019.