GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 1997

S	2 

SENATE BILL 763
Judiciary Committee Substitute Adopted 8/26/98

Short Title:  Crime Victims' Rights Act.	(Public)

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Sponsors:

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Referred to:  

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April 8, 1997

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO CREATE THE CRIME VICTIMS' RIGHTS ACT, TO ASSIST VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, TO ALLOW THE ENFORCEMENT OF ORDERS FOR RESTITUTION IN CRIMINAL CASES IN THE SAME MANNER AS CIVIL JUDGMENTS, TO CREATE AN EXCEPTION TO THE STATUTORY EXEMPTIONS FOR EXECUTION OF RESTITUTION JUDGMENTS, TO CHANGE THE ORDER OF PRIORITY FOR DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS IN CRIMINAL CASES, AND TO MAKE CHANGES TO THE CRIME VICTIMS COMPENSATION ACT.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
Section 1.  The title to Article 45 of Subchapter VIII of Chapter 15A of the General Statutes reads as rewritten:
"SUBCHAPTER VIII-A.  RIGHTS OF CRIME VICTIMS AND WITNESSES.
"ARTICLE 45.
"Fair Treatment for Certain Victims and Witnesses."
Section 2.  G.S. 15A-824 reads as rewritten:
"§ 15A-824.  Definitions.
As used in this Article, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
(1)	'Crime' means a felony or serious misdemeanor as determined in the sole discretion of the district attorney, except those included in Article 45A of this Chapter, or any act committed by a juvenile that, if committed by a competent adult, would constitute a felony or serious misdemeanor.
(2)	'Family member' means a spouse, child, parent or legal guardian, or the closest living relative.
(3)	'Victim' means a person against whom there is probable cause to believe a crime has been committed.
(4)	'Witness' means a person who has been or is expected to be summoned to testify for the prosecution in a criminal action concerning a felony, or who by reason of having relevant information is subject to being called or is likely to be called as a witness for the prosecution in such an action, whether or not an action or proceeding has been commenced."
Section 3.  Subchapter VIII-A of Chapter 15A of the General Statutes, as enacted in Section 1 of this act, is amended by adding a new Article to read:
"ARTICLE 45A.
"Crime Victims' Rights Act.
"§ 15A-830. Definitions.
(a)	The following definitions apply in this Article:
(1)	Accused. – A person who has been arrested and charged with committing a crime covered by this Article.
(2)	Arresting law enforcement agency. – The law enforcement agency that makes the arrest of an accused.
(3)	Custodial agency. – The agency that has legal custody of an accused or defendant arising from a charge or conviction of a crime covered by this Article including, but not limited to, local jails or detention facilities, regional jails or detention facilities, or the Department of Correction.
(4)	Investigating law enforcement agency. – The law enforcement agency with primary responsibility for investigating the crime committed against the victim.
(5)	Law enforcement agency. – An arresting law enforcement agency, a custodial agency, or an investigating law enforcement agency.
(6)	Next of kin. – The victim's spouse, children, parents, siblings, or grandparents.  The term does not include the accused unless the charges are dismissed or the person is found not guilty.
(7)	Victim. – A person against whom there is probable cause to believe one of the following crimes was committed:
a.	A Class A, B1, B2, C, D, or E felony.
b.	A Class F felony if it is a violation of one of the following:  G.S. 14-16.6(b); 14-16.6(c); 14-18; 14-32.1(e); 14-32.2(b)(3); 14-32.3(a); 14-32.4; 14-34.2; 14-34.6(c); 14-41; 14-43.2; 14-43.3; 14-190.17; 14-190.19; 14-202.1; 14-288.9; or 20-138.5.
c.	A Class G felony if it is  a violation of one of the following: G.S. 14-32.3(b); 14-51; 14-58; 14-87.1; or 20-141.4.
d.	A Class H felony if it is a violation of one of the following: G.S. 14-32.3(a); 14-32.3(c); or 14-33.2.
e.	A Class I felony if it is a violation of one of the following: G.S. 14-277.3; 14-32.3(b); 14-34.6(b); or 14-190.17A.
f.	An attempt of any of the felonies listed in this subdivision if the attempted felony is punishable as a felony.
g.	Any of the following misdemeanor offenses when the offense is committed between persons who have a personal relationship as defined in G.S. 50B-1(b): G.S. 14-33(c)(1); 14-33(c)(2); 14-33(a); 14-34; 14-134.3; or 14-277.3.
(b)	If the victim is deceased, then the next of kin, in the order set forth in the definition contained in this section, is entitled to the victim's rights under this Article.  However, the right contained in G.S. 15A-834 may only be exercised by the personal representative of the victim's estate.  An individual entitled to exercise the victim's rights as a member of the class of next of kin may designate anyone in the class to act on behalf of the class.
"§ 15A-831.  Responsibilities of law enforcement agency.
(a)	As soon as practicable but within 72 hours after identifying a victim covered by this Article, the investigating law enforcement agency shall provide the victim with the following information:
(1)	The availability of medical services, if needed.
(2)	The availability of crime victims' compensation funds under Chapter 15B of the General Statutes and the address and telephone number of the agency responsible for dispensing the funds.
(3)	The address and telephone number of the district attorney's office that will be responsible for prosecuting the victim's case.
(4)	The name and telephone number of an investigating law enforcement agency employee whom the victim may contact if the victim has not been notified of an arrest in the victim's case within six months after the crime was reported to the law enforcement agency.
(5)	Information about an accused's opportunity for pretrial release.
(6)	The name and telephone number of an investigating law enforcement agency employee whom the victim may contact to find out whether the accused has been released from custody.
(b)	As soon as practicable but within 72 hours after the arrest of a person believed to have committed a crime covered by this Article, the arresting law enforcement agency shall inform the investigating law enforcement agency of the arrest.  As soon as practicable but within 72 hours of being notified of the arrest, the investigating law enforcement agency shall notify the victim of the arrest.
(c)	As soon as practicable but within 72 hours after receiving notification from the arresting law enforcement agency that the accused has been arrested, the investigating law enforcement agency shall forward to the district attorney's office that will be responsible for prosecuting the case the victim's name, address, date of birth, social security number, race, sex, and telephone number, unless the victim refuses to disclose any or all of the information, in which case, the investigating law enforcement agency shall so inform the district attorney's office.
(d)	Upon receiving the information in subsection (a) of this section, the victim shall, on a form provided by the investigating law enforcement agency, indicate whether the victim wishes to receive any further notices from the investigating law enforcement agency.  If the victim elects to receive further notices, the victim shall be responsible for notifying the investigating law enforcement agency of any changes in the victim's name, address, and telephone number.
"§ 15A-832.  Responsibilities of the district attorney's office.
(a)	Within 21 days after the arrest of the accused, but not less than 24 hours before the accused's first scheduled probable cause hearing, the district attorney's office shall provide to the victim a pamphlet or other written material that explains in a clear and concise manner the following:
(1)	The victim's rights under this Article, including the right to confer with the attorney prosecuting the case about the disposition of the case and the right to provide a victim impact statement.
(2)	The responsibilities of the district attorney's office under this Article.
(3)	The victim's eligibility for compensation  under the Crime Victims Compensation Act and the deadlines by which the victim must file a claim for compensation.
(4)	The steps generally taken by the district attorney's office when prosecuting a felony case.
(5)	Suggestions on what the victim should do if threatened or intimidated by the accused or someone acting on the accused's behalf.
(6)	The name and telephone number of a victim and witness assistant in the district attorney's office whom the victim may contact for further information.
(b)	Upon receiving the information in subsection (a) of this section, the victim shall, on a form provided by the district attorney's office, indicate whether the victim wishes to receive notices of some, all, or none of the trial and posttrial proceedings involving the accused.  If the victim elects to receive notices, the victim shall be responsible for notifying the district attorney's office or any other department or agency that has a responsibility under this Article of any changes in the  victim's address and telephone number. The victim may alter the request for notification at any time by notifying the district attorney's office and completing the form provided by the district attorney's office.
(c)	The district attorney's office shall notify a victim of the date, time, and place of all trial court proceedings of the type which the victim has elected to receive notice.  All notices required to be given by the district attorney's office shall be given in a manner that is reasonably calculated to be received by the victim prior to the date of the court proceeding.
(d)	Whenever practical, the district attorney's office shall provide a secure waiting area during court proceedings that does not place the victim in close proximity to the defendant or the defendant's family.
(e)	When the victim is to be called as a witness in a court proceeding, the court shall make every effort to permit the fullest attendance possible by the victim in the proceedings.  This subsection shall not be construed to interfere with the defendant's right to a fair trial.
(f)	Prior to the disposition of the case, the district attorney's office  shall offer the victim the opportunity to consult with the prosecuting attorney to obtain the views of the victim about the disposition of the case, including the victim's views about dismissal, plea or negotiations, sentencing, and any pretrial diversion programs.
(g)	At the sentencing hearing, the prosecuting attorney shall submit to the court a copy of a form containing the identifying information set forth in G.S. 15A-831(c) about any victim electing to receive further notices under this Article.  The form shall be included with the final judgment and commitment transmitted to the Department of Correction or other agency receiving custody of the defendant and shall be maintained by the custodial agency as a confidential file.
"§ 15A-833.  Evidence of victim impact.
(a)	A victim has the right to offer admissible evidence of the impact of the crime, which shall be considered by the court or jury in sentencing the defendant. The evidence may include the following:
(1)	A description of the nature and extent of any physical, psychological, or emotional injury suffered by the victim as a result of the offense committed by the defendant.
(2)	An explanation of any economic or property loss suffered by the victim as a result of the offense committed by the defendant.
(3)	A request for restitution and an indication of whether the victim has applied for or received compensation under the Crime Victims Compensation Act.
(b)	No victim shall be required to offer evidence of the impact of the crime.  No inference or conclusion shall be drawn from a victim's decision not to offer evidence of the impact of the crime.
"§ 15A-834.  Restitution.
A victim has the right to receive restitution as ordered by the court pursuant to Article 81C of Chapter 15A of the General Statutes.
"§ 15A-835.  Posttrial responsibilities.
(a)	Within 30 days after the final trial court proceeding in the case, the district attorney's office shall notify the victim, in writing, of:
(1)	The final disposition of the case.
(2)	The crimes of which the defendant was convicted.
(3)	The defendant's right to appeal, if any.
(b)	Upon a defendant's giving notice of appeal to the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court, the district attorney's office shall forward to the Attorney General's office the victim's name, address, and telephone number. Upon receipt of this information, and thereafter as the circumstances require, the Attorney General's office shall provide the victim with the following:
(1)	A clear and concise explanation of how the appellate process works, including information about possible actions that may be taken by the appellate court.
(2)	Notice of the date, time, and place of any appellate proceedings involving the defendant.  Notice shall be given in a manner that is reasonably calculated to be received by the victim prior to the date of the proceedings.
(3)	The final disposition of an appeal.
(c)	If the defendant has been released on bail pending the outcome of the appeal, the agency that has custody of the defendant shall notify the investigating law enforcement agency as soon as practicable, and within 72 hours of receipt of the notification the investigating law enforcement agency shall notify the victim that the defendant has been released.
(d)	If the defendant's conviction is overturned, and the district attorney's office decides to retry the case or the case is remanded to superior court for a new trial, the victim shall be entitled to the same rights under this Article as if the first trial did not take place.
(e)	The Conference of District Attorneys shall maintain a repository relating to victims' identities, addresses, and other appropriate information for use by agencies charged with responsibilities under this Article.
"§ 15A-836.  Responsibilities of agency with custody of defendant.
(a)	The custodial agency shall notify the victim of:
(1)	The projected date by which the defendant can be released from custody.  The calculation of the release date shall be as exact as possible, including earned time and disciplinary credits if the sentence of imprisonment exceeds 90 days.
(2)	An inmate's assignment to a minimum custody unit and the address of the unit.  This notification shall include notice that the inmate's minimum custody status may lead to the inmate's participation in one or more community-based programs such as work release or supervised leaves in the community.
(3)	The victim's right to submit any concerns to the agency with custody and the procedure for submitting such concerns.
(4)	The defendant's escape from custody, within 72 hours.
(5)	The defendant's capture, within 72 hours.
(6)	The date the defendant is scheduled to be released from the facility.  Whenever practical, notice shall be given 60 days before release. In no event shall notice be given less than seven days before release.
(7)	The defendant's death.
(b)	Notifications required in this section shall be provided within 30 days of the date the custodial agency takes custody of the defendant or within 30 days of the event requiring notification, or as otherwise specified in subsection (a) of this section.
"§ 15A-837.  Responsibilities of Division of Adult Probation and Parole.
(a)	The Division of Adult Probation and Parole shall notify the victim of:
(1)	The defendant's regular conditions of probation or post-release supervision, special or added conditions, supervision requirements, and any subsequent changes.
(2)	The date of a hearing to determine whether the defendant's supervision should be revoked, continued, modified, or terminated.
(3)	The final disposition of any hearing referred to  in subdivision (2) of this section.
(4)	Any restitution modification.
(5)	The defendant's movement into or out of any intermediate sanction as defined in G.S. 15A-1340.11(6).
(6)	The defendant absconding supervision, within 72 hours.
(7)	The capture of a defendant described in subdivision (6) of this section, within 72 hours.
(8)	The date when the defendant is terminated or discharged.
(9)	The defendant's death.
(b)	Notifications required in this section shall be provided within 30 days of the event requiring notification, or as otherwise specified in subsection (a) of this section.
"§ 15A-838.  Notice of commuted sentence or pardon.
	The Governor's Clemency Office shall notify a victim when it is considering commuting the defendant's sentence or pardoning the defendant.  The Governor's Clemency Office shall also give notice that the victim has the right to present a written statement to be considered by the Office before the defendant's sentence is commuted or the defendant is pardoned.  The Governor's Clemency Office shall notify the victim of its decision.  Notice shall be given in a manner that is reasonably calculated to allow for a timely response to the commutation or pardon decision.
"§ 15A-839.  No money damages.
This Article does not create a claim for damages against the State, a county, or a municipality, or any of its agencies, instrumentalities, officers, or employees.
"§ 15A-840.  No ground for relief.
The failure or inability of any person to provide a right or service under this Article may not be used by a defendant in a criminal case, by an inmate, by any other accused, or by any victim, as a ground for relief in any criminal or civil proceeding.
"§ 15A-841.  Incompetent victim's rights exercised.
When a victim is mentally or physically incompetent or when the victim is a minor, the victim's rights under this Article, other than the rights provided by G.S. 15A-834, may be exercised by the victim's next of kin or legal guardian."
Section 4.  Chapter 15A of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Article to read:
"ARTICLE 81C.
"Restitution.
"§ 15A-1340.24. Restitution generally.
(a)	When sentencing a defendant convicted of a criminal offense, the court shall determine whether the defendant shall be ordered to make restitution to any victim of the offense in question. For purposes of this Article, the term 'victim' means a person directly and proximately harmed as a result of the defendant's commission of the criminal offense.
(b)	If the defendant is being sentenced for an offense for which the victim is entitled to restitution under Article 45A of this Chapter, the court shall, in addition to any penalty authorized by law, require that the defendant make restitution to the victim or the victim's estate for any injuries or damages arising directly and proximately out of the offense committed by the defendant.  If the defendant is placed on probation or post-release supervision, any restitution ordered under this subsection shall be a condition of probation as provided in G.S. 15A-1343(d) or a condition of post-release supervision as provided in G.S. 148-57.1.
(c)	When subsection (b) of this section does not apply, the court may, in addition to any other penalty authorized by law, require that the defendant make restitution to the victim or the victim's estate for any injuries or damages arising directly and proximately out of the offense committed by the defendant.
"§ 15A-1340.25. Basis for restitution.
(a)	In determining the amount of restitution, the court shall consider the following:
(1)	In the case of an offense resulting in bodily injury to a victim:
a.	The cost of necessary medical and related professional services and devices or equipment relating to physical, psychiatric, and psychological care required by the victim;
b.	The cost of necessary physical and occupational therapy and rehabilitation required by the victim; and
c.	Income lost by the victim as a result of the offense.
(2)	In the case of an offense resulting in the damage, loss, or destruction of property of a victim of the offense:
a.	Return of the property to the owner of the property or someone designated by the owner; or
b.	If return of the property under subdivision (2)a. of this subsection is impossible, impracticable, or inadequate:
1.	The value of the property on the date of the damage, loss, or destruction; or
2.	The value of the property on the date of sentencing, less the value of any part of the property that is returned.
(3)	Any measure of restitution specifically provided by law for the offense committed by the defendant.
(4)	In the case of an offense resulting in bodily injury that results in the death of the victim, the cost of the victim's necessary funeral and related services, in addition to the items set out in subdivisions (1),(2), and (3) of this subsection.
(b)	The court may require that the victim or the victim's estate provide admissible evidence that documents the costs claimed by the victim or the victim's estate under this section.  Any such documentation shall be shared with the defendant before the sentencing hearing.
"§ 15A-1340.26.  Determination of restitution.
(a)	In determining the amount of restitution to be made, the court shall take into consideration the resources of the defendant including all real and personal property owned by the defendant and the income derived from the property, the defendant's ability to earn, the defendant's obligation to support dependents, and any other matters that pertain to the defendant's ability to make restitution, but the court is not required to make findings of fact or conclusions of law on these matters.  The amount of restitution must be limited to that supported by the record, and the court may order partial restitution when it appears that the damage or loss caused by the offense is greater than that which the defendant is able to pay.  If the court orders partial restitution, the court shall state on the record the reasons for such an order.
(b)	The court may require the defendant to make full restitution no later than a certain date or, if the circumstances warrant, may allow the defendant to make restitution in installments over a specified time period.
(c)	When an active sentence is imposed, the court shall consider whether it should recommend to the Secretary of Correction that restitution be made by the defendant out of any earnings gained by the defendant if the defendant is granted work-release privileges, as provided in G.S. 148-33.2. The court shall also consider whether it should recommend to the Post-Release Supervision and Parole Commission that restitution by the defendant be made a condition of any parole or post-release supervision granted the defendant, as provided in G.S. 148-57.1.
"§ 15A-1340.27. Effect of restitution order; beneficiaries.
(a)	An order providing for restitution does not abridge the right of a victim or the victim's estate to bring a civil action against the defendant for damages arising out of the offense committed by the defendant.  Any amount paid by the defendant under the terms of a restitution order under this Article shall be credited against any judgment rendered against the defendant in favor of the same victim in a civil action arising out of the criminal offense committed by the defendant.
(b)	The court may order the defendant to make restitution to a person other than the victim, or to any organization, corporation, or association, including the Crime Victims Compensation Fund, that provided assistance to the victim following the commission of the offense by the defendant and is subrogated to the rights of the victim.  Restitution shall be made to the victim or the victim's estate before it is made to any other person, organization, corporation, or association under this subsection.
(c)	No government agency shall benefit by way of restitution except for particular damage or loss to it over and above its normal operating costs and except that the State may receive restitution for the total amount of a judgment authorized by G.S. 7A-455(b).
(d)	No third party shall benefit by way of restitution as a result of the liability of that third party to pay indemnity to an aggrieved party for the damage or loss caused by the defendant, but the liability of a third party to pay indemnity to an aggrieved party or any payment of indemnity actually made by a third party to an aggrieved party does not prohibit or limit in any way the power of the court to require the defendant to make complete and full restitution to the aggrieved party for the total amount of the damage or loss caused by the defendant.
"§ 15A-1340.28.  Enforcement of certain orders for restitution.
(a)	In addition to the provisions of G.S. 15A-1340.26, when an order for restitution under G.S. 15A-1340.24(b) requires the defendant to pay restitution in an amount in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250.00) to a victim, the order may be enforced in the same manner as a civil judgment, subject to the provisions of this section.
(b)	The order for restitution under G.S. 15A-1340.24(b) shall be docketed and indexed in the county of the original conviction in the same manner as a civil judgment pursuant to G.S. 1-233, et seq., and may be docketed in any other county pursuant to G.S. 1-234.  The judgment may be collected in the same manner as a civil judgment unless the order to pay restitution is a condition of probation.  If the order to pay restitution is a condition of probation, the judgment may only be executed upon in accordance with subsection (c) of this section.
(c)	If the defendant is ordered to pay restitution under G.S. 15A-1340.24(b) as a condition of probation, a judgment docketed under this section may be collected in the same manner as a civil judgment.  However, the docketed judgment for restitution may not be executed upon the property of the defendant until the date of notification to the clerk of superior court in the county of the original conviction that the judge presiding at the probation termination or revocation hearing has made a finding that restitution in a sum certain remains due and payable, that the defendant's probation has been terminated or revoked, and that the remaining balance of restitution owing may be collected by execution on the judgment.  The clerk shall then enter upon the judgment docket the amount that remains due and payable on the judgment, together with amounts equal to the standard fees for docketing, copying, certifying, and mailing, as appropriate, and shall collect any other fees or charges incurred as in the enforcement of other civil judgments, including accrued interest. However, no interest shall accrue on the judgment until the entry of an order terminating or revoking probation and finding the amount remaining due and payable, at which time interest shall begin to accrue at the legal rate pursuant to G.S. 24-5.  The interest shall be applicable to the amount determined at the termination or revocation hearing to be then due and payable.  The clerk shall notify the victim by first-class mail at the victim's last known address that the judgment may be executed upon, together with the amount of the judgment.  Until the clerk receives notification of termination or revocation of probation and the amount that remains due and payable on the order of restitution, the clerk shall not be required to update the judgment docket to reflect partial payments on the order of restitution as a condition of probation.  The stay of execution under this subsection shall not apply to property of the defendant after the transfer or conveyance of the property to another person.  When the criminal order of restitution has been paid in full, the civil judgment indexed under this section shall be deemed satisfied and the judgment shall be cancelled.  Payment satisfying the civil judgment shall also be credited against the order of restitution.
(d)	An appeal of the conviction upon which the order of restitution is based shall stay execution on the judgment until the appeal is completed.  If the conviction is overturned, the judgment shall be cancelled."
Section 5.  G. S. 15A-1021(d) reads as rewritten:
"(d)	When restitution or reparation by the defendant is a part of the plea arrangement agreement, if the judge concurs in the proposed disposition he may order that restitution or reparation be made as a condition of special probation pursuant to the provisions of G.S. 15A-1351, or probation pursuant to the provisions of G.S. 15A-1343(d). If an active sentence is imposed the court may recommend that the defendant make restitution or reparation out of any earnings gained by the defendant if he is granted work release privileges under the provisions of G.S. 148-33.1, or that restitution or reparation be imposed as a condition of parole in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 148-57.1. The order or recommendation providing for restitution or reparation shall be in accordance with the applicable provisions of G.S. 15A-1343(d) and Article 81C of this Chapter.
If the offense is one in which there is evidence of physical, mental or sexual abuse of a minor, the court should encourage the minor and the minor's parents or custodians to participate in rehabilitative treatment and the plea agreement may include a provision that the defendant will be ordered to pay for such treatment.
When restitution or reparation is recommended as part of a plea arrangement that results in an active sentence, the sentencing court shall enter as a part of the commitment that restitution or reparation is recommended as part of the plea arrangement. The Administrative Office of the Courts shall prepare and distribute forms which provide for ample space to make restitution or reparation recommendations incident to commitments."
Section 6.  G.S. 15A-1343(d) reads as rewritten:
"(d)	Restitution as a Condition of Probation. – As a condition of probation, a defendant may be required to make  restitution or reparation to an aggrieved party or parties who shall be named by the court for the damage or loss caused by the defendant arising out of the offense or offenses committed by the defendant. When restitution or reparation is a condition imposed, the court shall take into consideration the "factors set out in G.S. 15A-1340.25 and G.S. 15A-1340.26.  As used herein, 'reparation' shall include but not be limited to the performing of community services, volunteer work, or doing such other acts or things as shall aid the defendant in his rehabilitation. As used herein 'aggrieved party' includes individuals, firms, corporations, associations, other organizations, and government agencies, whether federal, State or local, including the Crime Victims Compensation Fund established by G.S. 15B-23.  A government agency may benefit by way of reparation even though the agency was not a party to the crime provided that when reparation is ordered, community service work shall be rendered only after approval has been granted by the owner or person in charge of the property or premises where the work will be done. "
Section 7. G.S. 148-33.2(c) reads as rewritten:
"(c)	When an active sentence is imposed, the court shall consider whether, as a rehabilitative measure, it should recommend to the Secretary of Correction that restitution or reparation be made by the defendant out of any earnings gained by the defendant if he is granted work-release privileges and out of other resources of the defendant, including all real and personal property owned by the defendant, and income derived from such property. If the court determines that restitution or reparation should not be recommended, it shall so indicate on the commitment. If, however, the court determines that restitution or reparation should be recommended, the court shall make its recommendation a part of the order committing the defendant to custody. The recommendation shall be in accordance with the applicable provisions of G.S. 15A-1343(d) and Article 81C of Chapter 15A of the General Statutes.  If the offense is one in which there is evidence of physical, mental or sexual abuse of a minor, the court may order the defendant to pay from work release earnings the cost of rehabilitative treatment for the minor. The Administrative Office of the Courts shall prepare and distribute forms which provide ample space to make restitution or reparation recommendations incident to commitments, which forms shall be conveniently structured to enable the sentencing court to make its recommendation."
Section 8. G.S. 148-57.1(c) reads as rewritten:
"(c)	When an active sentence is imposed, the court shall consider whether, as a rehabilitative measure, it should recommend to the Post-Release Supervision and Parole Commission that restitution or reparation by the defendant be made a condition of any parole or post-release supervision granted the defendant.  If the court determines that restitution or reparation should not be recommended, it shall so indicate on the commitment.  If, however, the court determines that restitution or reparation should be recommended, the court shall make its recommendation a part of the order committing the defendant to custody.  The recommendation shall be in accordance with the applicable provisions of Article 81C of Chapter 15A of the General Statutes.  The Administrative Office of the Courts shall prepare and distribute forms which provide ample space to make restitution or reparation recommendations incident to commitments, which forms shall be conveniently structured to enable the sentencing court to make its recommendation.
If the offense is one in which there is evidence of physical, mental or sexual abuse of a minor, the court may order, as a condition of parole or post-release supervision, that the defendant pay the cost of any rehabilitative treatment for the minor."
Section 9.  G.S. 1-234 reads as rewritten:
"§ 1-234.  Where and how docketed; lien.
Upon filing a judgment roll upon a judgment affecting the title of real property, or directing in whole or in part the payment of money, it shall be docketed on the judgment docket of the court of the county where the judgment roll was filed, and may be docketed on the judgment of the court of any other county upon the filing with the clerk thereof of a transcript of the original docket, and is a lien on the real property in the county where the same is docketed of every person against whom any such judgment is rendered, and which he has at the time of the docketing thereof in the county in which such real property is situated, or which he acquires at any time thereafter, for 10 years from the date of the rendition of the judgment. But the time during which the party recovering or owning such judgment shall be, or shall have been, restrained from proceeding thereon by an order of injunction, or other order, or by the operation of any appeal, or by a statutory prohibition, does not constitute any part of the 10 years aforesaid, as against the defendant in such judgment, or the party obtaining such orders or making such appeal, or any other person who is not a purchaser, creditor or mortgagee in good faith.
A judgment docketed pursuant to G.S. 15A-1340.28 shall constitute a lien against the property of a defendant as provided for under this section."
Section 10.  G.S. 1C-1601(e) reads as rewritten:
"(e)	Exceptions. – The exemptions provided in this Article are inapplicable to claims
(1)	Of the United States or its agencies as provided by federal law;
(2)	Of the State or its subdivisions for taxes, appearance bonds or fiduciary bonds;
(3)	Of lien by a laborer for work done and performed for the person claiming the exemption, but only as to the specific property affected;
(4)	Of lien by a mechanic for work done on the premises, but only as to the specific property affected;
(5)	For payment of obligations contracted for the purchase of the specific real property affected;
(6)	Repealed by Session Laws 1981 (Regular Session, 1982), c. 1224, s. 6;
(7)	For contractual security interests in the specific property affected; provided, that the exemptions shall apply to the debtor's household goods notwithstanding any contract for a nonpossessory, nonpurchase money security interest in any such goods;
(8)	For statutory liens, on the specific property affected, other than judicial liens;
(9)	For child support, alimony or distributive award order pursuant to Chapter 50 of the General Statutes;
(10)	For criminal restitution orders docketed as civil judgments pursuant to G.S. 15A-1340.28."
Section 11.  G.S. 7A-304(d) reads as rewritten:
"(d)	In any criminal case in which the liability for costs, fines, restitution, or any other lawful charge has been finally determined, the clerk of superior court shall, unless otherwise ordered by the presiding judge, disburse such funds when paid in accordance with the following priorities:
(1)  	Sums in restitution to the victim entitled thereto;
(2)	Costs due the county;
	(3)	Costs due the city;
(4)	Fines to the county school fund;
(5)  	Sums in restitution prorated among the persons other than the victim entitled thereto;
(6)  	Costs due the State;
(7)  	Attorney's fees.
Sums in restitution received by the clerk of superior court shall be disbursed when:
(1)	Complete restitution has been received; or
(2)	When, in the opinion of the clerk, additional payments in restitution will not be collected; or
(3)	Upon the request of the person or persons entitled thereto; and
(4)	In any event, at least once each calendar year."
Section 12.  G.S. 15B-2 reads as rewritten:
"§ 15B-2.  Definitions.
As used in this Chapter, unless the context requires otherwise:
(1)	'Allowable expense' means reasonable charges incurred for reasonably needed products, services, and accommodations, including those for medical care, rehabilitation, medically related property, and other remedial treatment and care.
	    Allowable expense includes a total charge not in excess of three thousand five hundred dollars ($3,500) for expenses related to funeral, cremation, and burial, including transportation of a body, but excluding expenses for flowers, gravestone, and other items not directly related to the funeral service.
(2)	'Claimant' means any of the following persons who claims an award of compensation under this Chapter:
a.	A victim;
b.	A dependent of a deceased victim;
c.	A third person who is not a collateral source and who provided benefit to the victim or his family other than in the course or scope of his employment, business, or profession;
d.	A person who is authorized to act on behalf of a victim, a dependent, or a third person described in subdivision c.
	The claimant, however, may not be the offender or an accomplice of the offender who committed the criminally injurious conduct.
(3)	'Collateral source' means a source of benefits or advantages for economic loss otherwise compensable that the victim or claimant has received or that is readily available to him from any of the following sources:
a.	The offender;
b.	The government of the United States or any of its agencies, a state or any of its political subdivisions, or an instrumentality of two or more states;
c.	Social security, medicare, and medicaid;
d.	State-required, temporary, nonoccupational disability insurance;
e.	Worker's compensation;
f.	Wage continuation programs of any employer;
g.	Proceeds of a contract of insurance payable to the victim for loss that he sustained because of the criminally injurious conduct;
h.	A contract providing prepaid hospital and other health care services, or benefits for disability.
(4)	'Commission' means the Crime Victims Compensation Commission established by G.S. 15B-3.
(5)	'Criminally injurious conduct' means conduct that by its nature poses a substantial threat of personal injury or death, and is punishable by fine or imprisonment or death, or would be so punishable but for the fact that the person engaging in the conduct lacked the capacity to commit the crime under the laws of this State. Criminally injurious conduct includes conduct that amounts to an offense involving impaired driving as defined in G.S. 20-4.01(24a), and conduct that amounts to a violation of G.S. 20-166 if the victim was a pedestrian or was operating a vehicle moved solely by human power or a mobility impairment device. For purposes of this Chapter, a mobility impairment device is a device that is designed for and intended to be used as a means of transportation for a person with a mobility impairment, is suitable for use both inside and outside a building, and whose maximum speed does not exceed 12 miles per hour when the device is being operated by a person with a mobility impairment. Criminally injurious conduct does not include conduct arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of a motor vehicle when the conduct is punishable only as a violation of other provisions of Chapter 20 of the General Statutes. Criminally injurious conduct shall also include an act of terrorism, as defined in 18 U.S.C. § 2331, that is committed outside of the United States against a citizen of this State.
(6)	'Dependent' means an individual wholly or substantially dependent upon the victim for care and support and includes a child of the victim born after his death.
(7)	'Dependent's economic loss' means loss after a victim's death of contributions of things of economic value to his dependents, not including services they would have received from the victim if he had not suffered the fatal injury, less expenses of the dependents avoided by reason of the victim's death.
(8)	'Dependent's replacement service loss' means loss reasonably incurred by dependents after a victim's death in obtaining ordinary and necessary services in lieu of those the victim would have performed for their benefit if he had not suffered the fatal injury, less expenses of the dependents avoided by reason of the victim's death and not subtracted in calculating dependent's economic loss.
	    Dependent's replacement service loss will be limited to a 26-week period commencing from the date of the injury and compensation shall not exceed two hundred dollars ($200.00) per week.
(9)	'Director' means the Director of the Commission appointed under G.S. 15B-3(g).
(10)	'Economic loss' means economic detriment consisting only of allowable expense, work loss, replacement services loss, and household support loss.  If criminally injurious conduct causes death, economic loss includes a dependent's economic loss and a dependent's replacement service loss. Noneconomic detriment is not economic loss, but economic loss may be caused by pain and suffering or physical impairment.
(11)	'Noneconomic detriment' means pain, suffering, inconvenience, physical impairment, or other nonpecuniary damage.
(12)	'Replacement services loss' means expenses reasonably incurred in obtaining ordinary and necessary services in lieu of those the injured person would have performed, not for income but for the benefit of himself or his family, if he had not been injured.
	    Replacement service loss will be limited to a 26-week period commencing from the date of the injury, and compensation may not exceed two hundred dollars ($200.00) per week.
(12a)	'Substantial evidence' means relevant evidence that a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.
(13)	'Victim' means a person who suffers personal injury or death proximately caused by criminally injurious conduct.
(14)	'Work loss' means loss of income from work that the injured person would have performed if he had not been injured and expenses reasonably incurred by him to obtain services in lieu of those he would have performed for income, reduced by any income from substitute work actually performed by him, or by income he would have earned in available appropriate substitute work that he was capable of performing but unreasonably failed to undertake.
	    Compensation for work loss will be limited to 26 weeks commencing from the date of the injury, and compensation shall not exceed three hundred dollars ($300.00) per week. A claim for work loss will be paid only upon proof that the injured person was gainfully employed at the time of the criminally injurious conduct and, by physician's certificate, that the injured person was unable to work.
(15)	'Household support loss' means the loss of support that a victim would have received from the victim's spouse for the purpose of maintaining a home or residence for the victim and the victim's dependents.  A victim may be compensated fifty dollars ($50.00) per week for each dependent child.  Compensation for household support loss shall not exceed three hundred dollars ($300.00) per week and shall be limited to 26 weeks commencing from the date of the injury.  A victim may receive only one compensation for household support loss.  Household support loss is only available to an unemployed victim whose spouse is the offender who committed the criminally injurious conduct that is the basis of the victim's claim under this act."
Section 12.1.  G.S. 15B-11 reads as rewritten:
"§ 15B-11.  Grounds for denial of claim or reduction of award.
(a)	An award of compensation shall be denied if:
(1)	The claimant fails to file an application for an award within two years after the date of the criminally injurious conduct that caused the injury or death for which the claimant seeks the award;
(2)	The economic loss is incurred after one year from the date of the criminally injurious conduct that caused the injury or death for which the victim seeks the award, except in the case where the victim for whom compensation is sought was 10 years old or younger at the time the injury occurred. In that case an award of compensation will be denied if the economic loss is incurred after two years from the date of the criminally injurious conduct that caused the injury or death for which the victim seeks the award;
(3)	The criminally injurious conduct was not reported to a law enforcement officer or agency within 72 hours of its occurrence, and there was no good cause for the delay;
(4)	The award would benefit the offender or the offender's accomplice, unless a determination is made that the interests of justice require that an award be approved in a particular case;
(5)	The criminally injurious conduct occurred while the victim was confined in any State, county, or city prison, correctional, youth services, or juvenile facility, or local confinement facility, or half-way house, group home, or similar facility; or
(6)	The victim was participating in a felony or a nontraffic misdemeanor at or about the time that the victim's injury occurred.
(b)	A claim may be denied and an award of compensation may be reduced upon a finding of contributory misconduct by the claimant or a victim through whom the claimant claims.
(c)	A claim may be denied, an award of compensation may be reduced, and a claim that has already been decided may be reconsidered upon finding that the claimant or victim has not fully cooperated with appropriate law enforcement agencies with regard to the criminally injurious conduct that is the basis for the award.
(c1)	A claim may be denied upon a finding that the claimant has been convicted of any felony classified as a Class A, B1, B2, C, D, or E felony under the laws of the State of North Carolina and that such felony was committed within 3 years of the time the victim's injury occurred.
(d)	After reaching a decision to approve an award of compensation, but before notifying the claimant, the Director shall require the claimant to submit current information as to collateral sources on forms prescribed by the Commission.
An award that has been approved shall nevertheless be denied or reduced to the extent that the economic loss upon which the claim is based is or will be recouped from a collateral source. If an award is reduced or a claim is denied because of the expected recoupment of all or part of the economic loss of the claimant from a collateral source, the amount of the award or the denial of the claim shall be conditioned upon the claimant's economic loss being recouped by the collateral source. If it is thereafter determined that the claimant will not receive all or part of the expected recoupment, the claim shall be reopened and an award shall be approved in an amount equal to the amount of expected recoupment that it is determined the claimant will not receive from the collateral source, subject to the limitations set forth in subsections (f)	and (g). The existence of a collateral source that would pay expenses directly related to a funeral, cremation, and burial, including transportation of a body, shall not constitute grounds for the denial or reduction of an award of compensation.
	(f)	Compensation for work loss, replacement services loss, dependent's economic loss, and dependent's replacement services loss may not exceed two hundred dollars ($200.00) per week.
(g)	Compensation payable to a victim and to all other claimants sustaining economic loss because of injury to, or the death of, that victim may not exceed thirty thousand dollars ($30,000) in the aggregate in addition to allowable funeral, cremation, and burial expenses.
(h)	The right to reconsider or reopen a claim does not affect the finality of its decision for the purpose of judicial review."
Section 12.2.  G.S. 143B-480.2(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a)	Only victims who have reported the following crimes are eligible for assistance under this Program: first-degree rape as defined in G.S. 14-27.2, second-degree rape as defined in G.S. 14-27.3, first-degree sexual offense as defined in G.S. 14-27.4, second-degree sexual offense as defined in G.S. 14-27.5, or attempted first-degree or second-degree rape or attempted first-degree or second-degree sexual offense as defined in G.S. 14-27.6. Assistance is limited to immediate and short-term medical expenses, ambulance services, and mental health services provided by a professional licensed or certified by the State to provide such services, not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000) incurred by the victim for the medical examination, medical procedures to collect evidence, or counseling treatment which follow the attack, or ambulance services from the place of the attack to a place where medical treatment is provided.  Assistance not to exceed fifty dollars ($50.00) shall be provided to victims to replace clothing that was held for evidence tests."
Section 13.  The North Carolina Conference of District Attorneys, with assistance from the Administrative Office of the Court and the Governor's Crime Commission, shall present to the General Assembly on or before March 1, 1999, a projection of the costs for full implementation of the provisions of this act with regard to victims of domestic violence.  In preparing the report, the Conference of District Attorneys shall use data collected in Prosecutorial Districts 3A, 13, 20, 21, and 26 by domestic violence prosecution programs receiving grant funds from the Governor's Crime Commission.  Nothing herein shall prohibit the Conference of District Attorneys from using data from other such grant programs in this State.  Failure or delay in presentation of the report shall not result in a delay in the implementation of the provisions of this act relating to victims of domestic violence.
Section 14.  To the extent practicable and within available resources, agencies are encouraged to begin as soon as possible the implementation of applicable victim notification procedures of this act prior to the effective date of July 1, 1999.
Section 15.  G.S. 15A-830, 15A-833 and 15A-834 as enacted by Section 3 of this act become effective December 1, 1998, and apply to offenses committed on or after that date.  Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 of this act become effective December 1, 1998, and apply to offenses committed on or after that date.  Sections 12, 12.1, and 12.2 of this act become effective October 1, 1998, and apply to injuries occurring on or after that date. Sections 13 and 14 of this act are effective when the act becomes law. The remainder of this act becomes effective July 1, 1999, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.