Bill Summary for H 971 (2023-2024)

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Summary date: 

Jun 20 2024

Bill Information:

View NCGA Bill Details2023-2024 Session
House Bill 971 (Public) Filed Wednesday, May 1, 2024
AN ACT DIRECTING THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR TO DEVELOP HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS TRAINING, REQUIRING LODGING ESTABLISHMENTS, ACCOMMODATION FACILITATORS, AND PROPERTY MANAGERS FOR VACATION RENTALS TO IMPLEMENT HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS TRAINING, INCREASING THE PUNISHMENT FOR A FIRST OFFENSE OF SOLICITING A PROSTITUTE, MODIFYING LAWS RELATED TO HUMAN TRAFFICKING, AND MODIFYING THE DEFINITION OF VICTIM IN THE CRIME VICTIM'S COMPENSATION ACT.
Intro. by Crutchfield, Reeder, Arp, Sasser.

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Bill summary

Senate amendment to the 4th edition makes the following changes. 

Section 5

Amends GS 14-43.17(victim confidentiality) to remove carve out for court orders to seal documents or parts thereof in a court file in exception to confidentiality provisions under GS 14-43.17. Limits motions for victim confidentiality to those criminal cases arising under Article 10A (pertaining to human trafficking) of GS Chapter 14 (was, any criminal case). Allows victims to file such motions either in the criminal case with the trial court in which the case was pending, in addition to the trial court where the case was most recently pending. Extends time for court to set a hearing from five business days from filing to ten business days from filing. Removes requirement that court direct moving party to notify the State and defendant of the motion and hearing, and puts onus on the movant to do so. Removes requirement that the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) develop policies and practices for effectuating court orders granting motions for victim confidentiality under GS 14-43.17.  Extends immunity under the section to Clerks of Superior Court and removes carve out for gross negligence.

Section 7

Extends deadline for State employees and officials to remove pornography on State devices from August 15, 2024, to January 1, 2025. Extends deadline for State Chief Information Officer to publish recommendations for appropriate viewing of pornography for the purposes authorized by GS 143-805(d), as enacted by the act from August 15, 2024, to January 1, 2025, and for public agencies, the judicial branch and legislative branch to adopt the policy required by GS 143-805(c) to no later than January 1, 2025 (was, October 1, 2024).

Changes the effective date to October 1, 2024 (was, effective when it became law).