AN ACT to determine whether security guidelines are needed for domestic violence shelters operated by state‑funded agencies and to provide, where feasible, secure areas for domestic violence victims to await hearing of their court case 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.  Where practical, upon request of a domestic violence victim, the clerk of Superior Court of any county shall coordinate with the county Sheriff to make available to the victim a secure area, segregated from the general population of the courtroom, to await hearing of their court case. The Clerk shall notify the presiding judge on the date of the hearing that the victim is present in a segregated location.
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.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 2nd day of April, 2007.

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		 Beverly E. Perdue
	 President of the Senate

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		 Joe Hackney
	 Speaker of the House of Representatives

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		 Michael F. Easley
	 Governor

Approved __________.m. this ______________ day of ___________________, 2007