Contains whereas clauses. Mandates the NC Collaboratory (Collaboratory) establish and implement a pilot program to support law enforcement, improve controlled substance investigations, and reduce the risk of false arrests by providing participating law enforcement agencies with new field drug-detecting technology and measuring the impact of the technology on case clearance, officer safety, controlled substance testing accuracy, identifying new or novel substances, drug organization investigations, and cost effectiveness.

Provides the following minimum requirements for the pilot program: (1) provide participating agencies with drug-detection devices meeting all seven of the listed requirements to use in place of color-based field drug tests for detecting suspected controlled substances; (2) use both quantitative and qualitative methods to address four specific research questions and any other questions determined relevant by the Collaboratory related to use of a drug-detection device provided under the pilot program; (3) leverage available relevant data from state agencies to track case-level outcomes across jurisdictions over time; (4) measure drug enforcement and case processing outcomes and forensic laboratory system impacts; (5) employ appropriate quantitative methods to compare outcomes in pilot program jurisdictions to comparable non-pilot program jurisdictions before and after deployment of the drug-detection devices; and (6) conduct qualitative inquiry in pilot program sites using appropriate methods.

Requires Collaboratory to consult with persons or entities it deems subject matter experts in drug detection, law enforcement, and public policy. Permits collaboration with any person or entity the Collaboratory deems appropriate as well. Requires any person or entity utilized by the Collaboratory under this authority to have the same access to data and cooperation provided to the Collaboratory.

Requires state agencies that maintain data determined relevant to the pilot program by the Collaboratory, including the Administrative Office of the Courts and the North Carolina State Crime Laboratory, make such data available to the Collaboratory if the Collaboratory deems it reasonably necessary to conduct this program (to the extent permitted by applicable State and federal law and subject to appropriate privacy protections and data use agreements). Requires a state agency requested to provide assistance to the Collaboratory in performing its duties to do so to the extent such assistance is consistent with its duties. Participating law enforcement agencies must cooperate with the Collaboratory in the conduct of the pilot program, including making relevant personnel available for interviews and providing access to operational documents and records related to the program. Clarifies that none of the data access and cooperation requirements mandate disclosure of information that would compromise an ongoing investigation, reveal a confidential informant, or is otherwise confidential or privileged under State or federal law.

Requires the Collaboratory to select the law enforcement agencies to participate in the program and ensure those participating are representative of law enforcement throughout the State, including agencies from rural and urban areas and agencies that would allow for analysis of data from the I-85 and I-95 drug-trafficking corridors.

Requires the Collaboratory to provide multiple reports to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety and the Fiscal Research Division beginning three months after the Act’s effective date and concluding with a final report no later than two years from the date the Collaboratory receives appropriated funds.

Appropriates $1.75 million for 2026-27 from the General Fund to the Collaboratory to be used for costs related to development and implementation of the pilot program. Any funds remaining unspent or unencumbered at the end of 2026-27 do not revert but remain available to spend until the pilot program expires. Effective July 1, 2026.

Defines drug-detection device as a device designed to detect the presence of controlled substances, not impairment of nor consumption by a person.

Pilot program expires on the earlier of the date the final report is provided or December 1, 2028.