Sen. Jarvis files bill in North Carolina Senate to adopt federal health waivers automatically

A new bill filed by State Sen. Steve Jarvis in the North Carolina Senate seeks to enable temporary hospital regulation waivers during emergencies to align with federal directives, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 445 on March 24 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Reg. Relief for Hospitals in Disaster Zones.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill allows for the automatic adoption of any temporary waiver or modification issued by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under sections 1135 or 1812(f) of the Social Security Act in response to emergencies. It enables the Division of Health Service Regulation to temporarily waive or modify hospital regulations and increase bed capacity during a declared state or national emergency or a public health crisis. The Division is also empowered to designate in advance which rules may be waived upon such declarations. The bill stipulates that these waivers or modifications will remain in effect at least until the federal directive expires, and allows additional rule adjustments to further ease hospital regulations while maintaining consistency with federal law. The act becomes effective when it is enacted into law.

Jarvis proposed another 12 bills during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Jarvis graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Government.

Jarvis, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2023 to represent the state’s 30th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Phil Berger.