Bill > H1033

This bill makes significant changes to the North Carolina Board of Dental Examiners, including expanding its membership to 11 individuals: six dentists, two dental hygienists, and three public consumer members, with specific criteria for consumer members to ensure they have no financial interest in dental services or affiliations with the dental profession. The bill also alters the appointment process for board members, shifting from elections to appointments by the Governor, the General Assembly (via the Speaker of the House and President Pro Tempore of the Senate), and the Commissioner of Labor, and repeals previous election provisions. Additionally, it clarifies that dental hygienists and consumer members cannot vote on matters concerning the issuance, renewal, or revocation of dental licenses, and consumer members cannot vote on dental hygiene licenses. The bill also introduces new provisions for occupational licensing boards, including requirements for rulemaking, handling of unlicensed activity, venue for court enforcement, injunctive relief, resolution of jurisdictional disputes, and a standardized complaint process, with some of these changes taking effect on October 1, 2026.