North Carolina SB 355: Support the Dept. of Adult Correction.-AB

Bill Text

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025

SESSION LAW 2026-44
SENATE BILL 355

*S355-v-8*
AN ACT TO SUPPORT THE WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ADULT CORRECTION.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

PART I. COMMUNITY SUPERVISION

WAIVE TUITION FOR SURVIVORS OF FALLEN PROBATION OFFICERS
SECTION 1.1.(a) G.S. 115B-1 reads as rewritten:
"§ 115B-1. Definitions.
The following definitions apply in this Chapter:
...
(4) Permanently and totally disabled as a direct result of a traumatic injury
sustained in the line of duty. – A person: (i) who as a law enforcement officer,
correctional officer, probation officer, firefighter, volunteer firefighter, or
rescue squad worker suffered a disabling injury while in active service or
training for active service, (ii) who at the time of active service or training was
a North Carolina resident, and (iii) who has been determined to be
permanently and totally disabled for compensation purposes by the North
Carolina Industrial Commission.
(4c) Probation officer. – An employee of an employer who is certified as a
probation officer under the provisions of Article 1 of Chapter 17C of the
General Statutes.
...
(6) Survivor. – Any person whose parent, legal guardian, legal custodian, or
spouse: (i) was a law enforcement officer, a correctional officer, a probation
officer, a firefighter, a volunteer firefighter, or a rescue squad worker, (ii) was
killed while in active service or training for active service or died as a result
of a service-connected disability, and (iii) at the time of active service or
training was a North Carolina resident. The term does not include the widow
or widower of a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, probation
officer, firefighter, volunteer firefighter, or a rescue squad worker if the
widow or widower has remarried.
...."
SECTION 1.1.(b) G.S. 115B-2(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a) The constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina and the community
colleges as defined in G.S. 115D-2(2) shall permit the following persons to attend classes for
credit or noncredit purposes without the required payment of tuition:
...
(2) Any person who is the survivor of a law enforcement officer, correctional
officer, probation officer, firefighter, volunteer firefighter, or rescue squad
worker killed as a direct result of a traumatic injury sustained in the line of
duty.

Page 2 Session Law 2026-44 Senate Bill 355
(3) The spouse of a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, probation
officer, firefighter, volunteer firefighter, or rescue squad worker who is
permanently and totally disabled as a direct result of a traumatic injury
sustained in the line of duty.
(4) Any child, if the child is at least 17 years old but not yet 24 years old, whose
parent, legal guardian, or legal custodian is a law enforcement officer,
correctional officer, probation officer, firefighter, volunteer firefighter, or
rescue squad worker who is permanently and totally disabled as a direct result
of a traumatic injury sustained in the line of duty. However, a child's eligibility
for a waiver of tuition under this Chapter shall not exceed: (i) 54 months, if
the child is seeking a baccalaureate degree, or (ii) if the child is not seeking a
baccalaureate degree, the number of months required to complete the
educational program to which the child is applying.
...."
SECTION 1.1.(c) G.S. 115B-5(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b) The officials of the institutions charged with administration of this Chapter shall
require the following proof to insure that a person applying to the institution and who requests a
tuition waiver under G.S. 115B-2(a)(2), (3), or (4) is eligible for the benefits provided by this
Chapter.
...
(3) The cause of death of the law enforcement officer, correctional officer,
probation officer, firefighter, volunteer firefighter, or rescue squad worker
shall be verified by certification from the records of the Department of State
Treasurer, the appropriate city or county law enforcement agency that
employed the deceased, the administrative agency for the fire department or
fire protection district recognized for funding under the Department of State
Auditor, or the administrative agency having jurisdiction over any paid
firefighters of all counties and cities.
...."
SECTION 1.1.(d) This section is effective when it becomes law and applies to
waivers of tuition granted on or after that date.

MODIFY TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ELECTRONIC
MONITORING/SATELLITE-BASED MONITORING
SECTION 1.2.(a) G.S. 15A-101.1 reads as rewritten:
"§ 15A-101.1. Electronic technology in criminal process and procedure.
As used in this Chapter, in Chapter 7A of the General Statutes, in Chapter 15 of the General
Statutes, and in all other provisions of the General Statutes that deal with criminal process or
procedure:procedure, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) "Attach" or "attached" means, when Attach or attached. – When referring to
documents existing in paper form, physic