A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to determine whether security guidelines are needed for domestic violence shelters operated by state‑funded agencies and to provide, where feasible, private areas for domestic violence victims who are needed for any court proceeding where the defendant will be present as recommended by the joint legislative committee on domestic violence.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  The North Carolina Council for Women/Domestic Violence Commission (Council), in cooperation with the North Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence, shall review the guidelines that agencies must meet in order to receive State funds through the Council. The Council shall consider whether there should be specific guidelines designed to ensure safety at domestic violence shelters that are operated by State‑funded agencies.
The Council shall report to the Joint Legislative Committee on Domestic Violence no later than May 1, 2008, on the results of the review.
SECTION 2.  Each courthouse in the State shall, where feasible, make a private area available for domestic violence victims to wait until they are needed in court for any proceeding in which it may be necessary for the domestic violence offender to be present in the courtroom.  The Administrative Office of the Courts shall work with each courthouse to determine appropriate space for this purpose.
The Administrative Office of the Courts shall report to the Joint Legislative Committee on Domestic Violence no later than May 1, 2008, on the progress of providing the space in each courthouse.
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.