AN ACT to ALLOW THE DEPARTMENT OF CRIME  CONTROL AND PUBLIC SAFETY TO EXPEND FUNDS TO COVER FUNERAL EXPENSES FOR MEMBERS OF THE STATE HIGHWAY PATROL KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY, AND TO STUDY THE PAYMENT OF FUNERAL EXPENSES FOR STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  G.S. 143B‑476 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
"(i)	In addition to any other benefits that may be payable, the Secretary may use up to the sum of ten thousand dollars ($10,000) from funds available to the Department as reimbursement for funeral expenses to the family of a member of the State Highway Patrol who is killed in the line of duty, provided that funding is available."
SECTION 2.  The Department of Crime Control and Public Safety shall  study whether the Secretary should be authorized to reimburse the family for funeral expenses of a State law enforcement officer who is killed in the line of duty.  The study shall include a determination on the maximum amount to be paid, and whether additional funds beyond those available to the Department should be appropriated for the expenses.  The Department shall report the results of its study, with any recommendations for legislation, to the Joint Legislative Corrections, Crime Control, and Juvenile Justice Oversight Committee by January 1, 2009.
SECTION 3.  Section 1 of this act becomes effective June 1, 2008, and expires June 1, 2009.  The remainder of this act is effective when it becomes law.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 18th day of July, 2008.

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		 Marc Basnight
	 President Pro Tempore 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 ___________________, 2008