(a)        The requirement of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 32A-16(3) that a health care power of attorney be executed in the presence of two qualified witnesses shall be waived for all instruments executed on or after the effective date of this section and prior to termination of the state of emergency declared by Governor Roy Cooper in Executive Order No. 116, on March 10, 2020, as the same may be extended by any subsequent executive order, such that an instrument that is signed by the principal, properly acknowledged before a notary public, and otherwise executed in compliance with the provisions of this Article shall not be invalidated by the principal’s failure to execute the health care power of attorney in the presence of two qualified witnesses.

(b)        Health care powers of attorney executed without two qualified witnesses during the time period defined in subsection (a) of this section shall contain a short and plain statement indicating that the instrument was executed in accordance with the procedures of this section.

(c)        This section shall expire at 12:01 A.M. on August 1, 2020; provided, however, all instruments made in accordance with this section and while this section is in effect shall remain effective and shall not need to be reaffirmed. ?(2020-3, s. 4.10(b).)