A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to create a law enforcement officer legal rights protection act.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Article 27 of Chapter 15A of the General Statutes reads as rewritten:
"Article 27.
"Law Enforcement Officers Right to Representation.
"§ 15A‑548.  Law enforcement officers right to representation.
A sworn law‑enforcement officer shall have the right to representation by a representative of the officer's chosen employee organization, or the designee of such organization, during an interrogation or questioning by a member of the employing law enforcement agency when the law enforcement officer is the subject of an internal or administrative investigation that may result in disciplinary action. If representation is requested, a reasonable period of time shall be afforded to the employee to obtain such representation, but not longer than 24 hours."
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective October 1, 2009, and applies to investigations initiated on or after that date.