North Carolina sets rules for adult-correction supervision and services

North Carolina public universities and community colleges must allow certain people to attend without paying tuition. Eligible people include survivors of listed public-safety workers killed in the line of duty, spouses of workers permanently and totally disabled by a line-of-duty injury, and certain children ages 17 through 23. A survivor generally must be connected to a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, probation officer, firefighter, volunteer firefighter, or rescue squad worker who died in qualifying service circumstances. A child’s waiver may last up to 54 months for a bachelor’s degree, or the time needed for a shorter program. Applicants must provide proof of eligibility, including verified information about the worker’s death when required. The waiver rules apply to tuition waivers granted on or after the law takes effect.

Supervising agencies must use electronic monitoring that tracks a person’s location at least once each minute and records specified location events. The rule covers electronic and satellite-based monitoring devices used in criminal process or supervision, including devices used near crime scenes or prohibited areas. The device must remain on the person and work with a web-based system that tracks and records location around the clock. The system must have at least 48 hours of battery life and must compare crime-scene data with monitored people’s locations. Where cellular coverage is insufficient, the agency must use an alternative device that records data for later download and comparison. This definition applies to an electronic monitoring device used on or after the law takes effect.

A single member of the Post-Release Supervision and Parole Commission may set or change supervision terms, issue a reprimand letter, and continue supervision. The authority applies to people under post-release supervision and to Commission decisions about supervision violations and conditions. A three-member panel may set supervision terms and decide violation questions, including whether to issue warrants. The full Commission generally decides other matters by majority vote, and the chair breaks a tie with an additional vote. These rules apply to Commission actions taken on or after the law takes effect.

Approved Department of Adult Correction facilities may provide substance-abuse assessments and alcohol-and-drug education traffic school to eligible people housed there. The services are for people housed in Department of Adult Correction facilities who need a certificate of completion for restoration of a driver’s license. The Department must identify approved facilities, and the services must follow state rules, including placement, records, reporting, and prison-security requirements. The Department may not charge the person a fee, tuition, or other charge for services it provides directly. The Department must pay for required curriculum materials, and its services do not need the usual behavioral-health facility license. The services are available under the stated rules when the law takes effect, unless another provision sets a different date.

Correction Enterprises may sell its products and services to specified state, National Guard, and local-government workers and retirees up to a stated annual limit. Covered buyers include current and retired state employees, National Guard members, and employees and retirees of North Carolina local governments who can verify their status. A covered buyer may purchase no more than $4,000 during a calendar year. Products bought under this rule may not be resold. The annual limit applies during each calendar year after the law takes effect.