GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
1995 SESSION

CHAPTER 498
SENATE BILL 742

AN ACT TO AUTHORIZE THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES TO INVESTIGATE THE DEATHS OF CERTAIN THOMAS S. CLASS MEMBERS.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

Section 1.  G.S. 122C-112(a) is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(14)	Upon the death of any prospective or confirmed Thomas S. class member as identified in Thomas S. et al. vs. Britt, (C-C-82-0418-M, Western District) not residing in a State facility listed in G.S. 122C-181, investigate the circumstances leading to that death.  The investigation shall analyze any unusual circumstances relating to the death.  The Secretary shall adopt rules to implement this subsection.  The Secretary shall have access to all medical records, hospital records, and records maintained by the State, any county, or any local agency necessary to carry out the purposes of this subsection, including police investigations data, medical examiner investigative data, health records, mental health records, and social services records."
Sec. 2.  This act is effective upon ratification and applies to deaths occurring on or after this date.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 27th day of July, 1995.

─────────────────── 
Dennis A. Wicker
President of the Senate

─────────────────── 
Harold J. Brubaker
Speaker of the House of Representatives