Criminal Justice (Courts)

in committee · North Carolina · House Jun 3, 2026

HB 1234: Constitutional Amendment/Supreme Court Ethics.

This bill proposes a constitutional amendment to North Carolina that would require Supreme Court justices to step aside from cases where they have a financial stake or a close personal relationship with the parties involved. It also mandates that justices publicly disclose significant financial transactions, such as buying or selling assets worth at least $10,000, along with any outside income and who funded their travel. Because this change alters the state constitution, the bill does not take effect immediately but is instead scheduled for a public vote by voters in November 2026. The amendment would only become law if a majority of voters approve it during that election.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances judicial ethics and accountability by mandating recusal and financial disclosure, strengthening public trust in the courts.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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in committee · North Carolina · House May 6, 2026

HB 1223: Reenact Funding/Mecklenburg Emergency Pension Fund.

This bill renews and expands funding for the Emergency Pension Fund that supports sworn law enforcement officers in Mecklenburg County. It does this by reinstating a $2 fee on criminal court costs for convictions or guilty pleas, while excluding minor traffic violations with small fines or short jail sentences. The collected money must be turned over to the county's Officers Relief Board, and courts will need to submit detailed records of these fees. The changes take effect on October 1, 2026, and apply to cases occurring on or after that date.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds emergency pension relief for sworn law enforcement officers, directly supporting the corrections and law enforcement sectors.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Law Enforcement

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in committee · North Carolina · House May 4, 2026

HB 1150: NC Constitutional Rights Act/Funds.

This bill creates a new legal pathway in North Carolina allowing individuals to sue anyone, including federal officials, for violating their rights under the U.S. Constitution. It establishes a civil cause of action that permits victims to seek monetary compensation, court orders to stop the violation, and payment for legal fees. The law explicitly states that it does not allow lawsuits against the state itself or waive the state's immunity from being sued. Additionally, the bill appropriates $150,000 to fund public education efforts about these new rights, with the main provisions taking effect on October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates a legal pathway to sue for constitutional rights violations, enhancing police accountability and protecting civil rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Tags Civil Liberties

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died · North Carolina · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 1034: Fund Drug Treatment/Mental Health Courts.

This North Carolina bill allocates $4.2 million in recurring state funds starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support local courts that handle cases involving substance use and mental health issues. The money is designated for the Administrative Office of the Courts to establish and maintain judicially managed accountability and recovery courts, which are designed to help defendants diagnosed with alcoholism, substance use disorders, or mental health conditions. These courts will operate by creating personalized treatment plans for participants and monitoring their progress while they remain involved in the criminal justice system. The funding applies to both new and existing programs that fall under specific state statutes governing these specialized courts.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $4.2M in recurring state funds to support drug treatment and mental health courts, directly increasing funding for public services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allocates funding to establish courts for substance use and mental health, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $4.2M to fund drug treatment and mental health courts, directly advancing healthcare access and services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Courts Mental Health Substance Abuse

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 825: School-Based Complaint/SROs.

This bill establishes a formal definition for school resource officers and mandates specific training for them, focusing on mental health, racial equity, and de-escalation techniques. It requires that any complaint about student delinquency filed by a school resource officer must be signed by a school administrator or social worker before it can be sent to juvenile court. To support these changes, the legislation creates a grant program to help schools cover increased salary costs associated with hiring and training officers, with funding prioritized for rural and lower-grade schools. These new requirements and funding provisions are scheduled to take effect starting in the 2026-2027 school year.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a grant program to fund increased salary costs for school resource officers, directly advancing the budget topic.85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates training on mental health, racial equity, and de-escalation, and requires administrator signatures for delinquency complaints, enhancing police accountability and reform.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates training for school resource officers in mental health and equity, creating grants to cover salary costs, thereby enhancing student safety and supporting educators.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates mental health training for school officers and creates grants to cover associated costs, directly supporting mental health services.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice Law Enforcement School Safety School Transportation Student Health Mental Health

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 887: Compensation for Wrongfully Detained Persons.

SB 887 creates a new legal process for individuals in North Carolina who were detained by the state or local authorities and later found by a court to have been unlawfully held. Under this bill, affected persons can petition the Industrial Commission for financial compensation if their detention caused harm, with a maximum award of $750,000 and eligibility for additional support such as job training, college tuition, and reimbursement for lost wages. The legislation establishes a five-year deadline for filing claims and designates $1 million in state funds to cover potential payouts, with the measure taking effect retroactively to October 1, 2021.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill provides compensation for wrongfully detained individuals, enhancing police accountability and protecting civil rights within the criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill provides college tuition and job training to wrongfully detained persons, directly enhancing educational access and support for affected individuals.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Higher Education

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 1080: Public Safety Reinvestment Act.

HB 1080, the Public Safety Reinvestment Act, allocates state funds to address staffing shortages and modernize safety measures across several North Carolina public institutions. The bill directs $30 million to hire additional court clerks in Wake and Mecklenburg counties, provides salary increases for Department of Adult Correction employees and State Highway Patrol members, and offers benefits enhancements for correctional officers in specific retirement systems. It also mandates that public transit vehicles carry emergency trauma kits and requires operators to implement stricter fare enforcement technologies and training. Furthermore, the legislation funds the Division of Juvenile Justice, the State Crime Laboratory, and includes provisions for reporting fare evasion data and safety incidents.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allocates $30M to hire court clerks, increase salaries for corrections and law enforcement, and enhance benefits, directly strengthening public safety and criminal justice infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill allocates funds for hiring, salary increases, and benefits enhancements for public safety employees.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Apr 22, 2026

SB 794: NC Victims of Crime Assistance Act.

SB 794 establishes the North Carolina Victims of Crime Assistance Act to create a special fund and competitive grant program that provides financial support to organizations serving crime victims. The bill defines victims as individuals who suffer physical, sexual, financial, or emotional harm from a crime and allows grants of up to $1 million to public agencies or nonprofits that offer services such as emotional support, life stabilization, and assistance navigating the criminal justice system. Funding for these grants will come from state appropriations, existing state laws, and donations, with the Governor's Crime Commission responsible for administering the program and requiring grantees to submit detailed reports on how the funds are used and the number of victims assisted. Additionally, the bill increases criminal court costs for convicted defendants to help finance this new assistance fund.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates funding and grants to support organizations serving crime victims, directly strengthening victim services within the criminal justice system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Victims' Rights

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died · North Carolina · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 984: Work Training/Delinquent Child Support.

This bill allows North Carolina courts to order individuals who are behind on child support payments to participate in job search activities or specific work training instead of facing jail time. Under the new rules, a person subject to this order must pay at least $50 per month in support, attend the program for no more than six months, and report their progress to the court every 30 days. The legislation also allocates $3 million in state funds to community colleges to help cover the costs of providing these training programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $3 million in state funds to community colleges for work training programs.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill offers work training and job search alternatives to jail time for delinquent child support, promoting rehabilitation and reducing incarceration.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

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in committee · North Carolina · House May 5, 2026

HB 1191: Fostering Care in NC Act 2026.

HB 1191, titled the Fostering Care in NC Act 2026, introduces several changes to how North Carolina handles cases involving juveniles and child welfare. The bill increases privacy protections by sealing court records in abuse and neglect cases and clarifying who can access them. It also updates procedures for expunging names from the responsible individuals list and requires courts to schedule permanency planning hearings within 30 days. Additionally, the act mandates that siblings be placed together whenever possible and ensures counties communicate before transferring cases to improve coordination on care and financial support.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances privacy, expungement rights, and court efficiency for juveniles, aligning with criminal justice reform and civil rights protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Tags Children

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