Bill > H771

This bill makes three primary changes to North Carolina law: First, it establishes comprehensive new procedures for taking depositions in criminal cases, allowing the State to request depositions of witnesses in exceptional circumstances, such as when a witness is in imminent danger, is elderly (65 or older), is about to leave the state, or is too sick to testify later. The new law provides detailed requirements for requesting and conducting these depositions, including notice to the defendant, rights to counsel, recording procedures, and guidelines for using the deposition at trial. Second, the bill creates additional rights for sexual assault victims, including the right to receive information about their sexual assault evidence collection kit, be notified before its destruction, have an advocate present during court proceedings, and access a plain-language list of their rights that the Attorney General's office must publish and distribute to hospitals. Third, the bill modifies the Conference of District Attorneys' organizational structure by eliminating the position of President-elect, reducing the notice period for meetings from 10 to 5 days, and making some language updates to the executive director's role. The depositions and sexual assault victim rights provisions will become effective on December 1, 2025, while the Conference of District Attorneys changes will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Government Affairs, Justice

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H771