Bill > H608

This bill amends North Carolina law to provide additional legal protections for sensitive health information and government employee personnel files by modifying computer trespass statutes. Specifically, the bill expands the definition of unauthorized computer access to include improperly accessing personnel files of local, state, or federal government employees or protected health information, creating a new legal standard for such breaches. The legislation introduces mandatory minimum damages of $5,000 for each violation involving protected health information or government employee personnel files, allowing injured parties to sue and recover either the actual damages sustained or the set minimum amount. The bill defines "personnel file" comprehensively to include employment-related information like salary, benefits, performance evaluations, and personal details such as home address and social security number, and defines "protected health information" according to federal regulations. The new provisions aim to provide stronger deterrence against unauthorized data access and offer more robust legal recourse for individuals whose sensitive personal information is improperly accessed or misused. The law will become effective on July 1, 2025, and will apply to offenses committed on or after that date.

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https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H608