10A NCAC 41A .0212 – Handling and Transportation of Bodies

These rule actions establish control measures to prevent infection in the handling and transportation of the bodies of persons infected with COVID-19. COVID-19, a novel coronavirus, was identified as the cause of an emerging infectious disease outbreak in December 2019 in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. This novel coronavirus causes respiratory illness ranging in severity from mild illness to death. The North Carolina Division of Public Health is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to monitor and respond to this pandemic in North Carolina. More information on COVID-19.

On June 18, 2020, CPH received a petition for rulemaking from the North Carolina Board of Funeral Service, requesting that CPH consider amending rule 10A NCAC 41A .0212 to set out the proper precautions to prevent infection in the handling and transportation of the bodies of persons infected with COVID-19 and require notification of those precautions. Pursuant to G.S. 150B-20, CPH granted the petition and took action on these rules.

It is imperative that 10A NCAC 41A .0212 be quickly amended to address the need for communicable disease control measures to mitigate the risk of disease transmission in the handling and transportation of the bodies of persons infected with COVID-19. On September 15, 2020, the Commission for Public Health adopted an amendment to 10A NCAC 41A .0212 under emergency procedures and simultaneously proposed to amend 10A NCAC 41A .0212 under temporary procedures to continue the reporting requirement. Immediate adoption is required due to the serious and unforeseen threat posed by this infectious disease.

A public hearing will be held on September 30, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. by teleconference at (919) 715-0769 (no access code).

Emergency Rule:	10A NCAC 41A .0212
Proposed Temporary Rule:	10A NCAC 41A .0212
Notice:	Notification of Emergency and Proposed Temporary Rule Actions: 10A NCAC 41A .0212
Fiscal Note:	N/A
Federal Certification:	N/A

Public Comments

The public comment period runs from September 15, 2020 to October 16, 2020. Comments will also be accepted at the public hearing.

Additional Links

Procedure for Subjecting a Proposed Rule to Legislative Review