§ 17E-7.1.  Transfer of certified law enforcement officers.

(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a sheriff considering an applicant for employment as a deputy sheriff shall request access to and review the complete personnel file of the applicant maintained by or on behalf of any North Carolina law enforcement agency where the applicant was employed for any part of the five-year period preceding the current application.

(b) With a release signed by the applicant, any North Carolina law enforcement agency or any entity maintaining records of a law enforcement agency that previously employed the applicant shall grant access to and may, if requested, provide a copy of the applicant's complete personnel file, including confidential information as defined by G.S. 153A-98, 160A-168, and 126-24 to the sheriff's office considering the applicant for employment.

(c) To the extent that confidential information as defined by G.S. 153A-98, 160A-168, or 126-24 is maintained in the personnel file of any law enforcement agency or entity maintaining records of a law enforcement agency that previously employed the applicant, that information shall remain confidential in the files of any sheriff's office obtaining the information pursuant to this section.

(d) A law enforcement agency, any entity maintaining records of a law enforcement agency, and the personnel of such law enforcement agency or entity providing or receiving access to or copies of an applicant's personnel file pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this section shall not be held civilly or criminally liable for doing so.  (2025-51, s. 6(b).)