GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2017

S                                                                                                                                                    D

SENATE BILL DRS45535-MLa-195C*

 

 

 

Short Title:      Extreme Risk Protection Orders.		(Public)
Sponsors:	Senators McKissick, Chaudhuri, and J. Jackson (Primary Sponsors).
Referred to:

 

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT to authorize the issuance of an extreme risk protection order to restrict temporarily a person's access to firearms if there is evidence that the person poses a danger of physical harm to self or others.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  The General Statutes are amended by adding a new Chapter to read:

"Chapter 50E.

"Extreme Risk Protection Orders.

"§ 50E‑1.  Title of Chapter.

This Chapter may be cited as the "Extreme Risk Protection Orders Act."

"§ 50E‑2.  Legislative findings and purpose.

(a)        Legislative Findings. – The General Assembly finds all of the following:

(1)        Every year, over 100,000 people are victims of gunshot wounds and more than 30,000 of those victims lose their lives.

(2)        Individuals who pose a danger to themselves or others often exhibit signs that alert family, household members, or law enforcement to the threat. Many mass shooters displayed warning signs prior to the killings, but federal and State laws provided no clear legal process to suspend the shooters' access to guns, even temporarily.

(b)        Purpose. – The purpose of this Chapter is to reduce gun deaths and injuries, while respecting constitutional rights, by providing a court procedure for concerned citizens and law enforcement to obtain an order temporarily restricting a person's access to firearms. The court orders authorized under this Chapter are intended to be limited to situations in which the person poses a significant danger of harming themselves or others by possessing a firearm and include standards and safeguards to protect the rights of respondents and due process of law.

"§ 50E‑3.  Definitions.

The following definitions apply in this Chapter:

(1)        Extreme Risk Protection Order or ERPO. – An order granted under this Chapter, which includes a remedy authorized under G.S. 50E‑6.

(2)        Family or household member. – Any of the following:

a.         A person related by blood, marriage, or adoption to the respondent.

b.         A dating partner of the respondent.

c.         A person who has a child in common with the respondent, regardless of whether the person has been married to the respondent or has lived together with the respondent at any time.

d.         A domestic partner of the respondent.

e.         A person who has a biological or legal parent‑child relationship with the respondent, including stepparents, stepchildren, grandparents, and grandchildren.

f.          A person who is acting or has acted as the respondent's legal guardian.

(3)        Firearm. – Any weapon, including a starter gun, which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive, or its frame or receiver.

(4)        Petitioner. – The person who petitions for an ERPO under this Chapter.

(5)        Respondent. – The person who is identified as the respondent in a petition filed under this Chapter.

"§ 50E‑4.  Commencement of action.

(a)        Petition. – Either of the following may file a verified petition in district court for an Extreme Risk Protection Order:

(1)        A family or household member.

(2)        A law enforcement officer or agency.

(b)        Filing Location. – A petition for an ERPO under this Chapter may be filed in any county permitted under G.S. 1‑82.

(c)        Required Information in Petition. – A petition for an ERPO under this Chapter shall include all of the following:

(1)        An allegation that the respondent poses a danger of physical harm to self or others by having in his or her care, custody, possession, ownership, or control a firearm. If the petitioner is seeking an ex parte ERPO, the petition shall include an allegation that the respondent poses an imminent danger of physical harm to self or others by having in his or her care, custody, possession, ownership, or control a firearm. The allegation required under this subdivision shall include facts to support the allegation.

(2)        An identification, to the best of the petitioner's knowledge, of the number, types, and locations of firearms under the respondent's custody or control.

(3)        An identification of any existing protection order under State law governing the respondent.

(4)        An identification of any pending lawsuits, complaints, petitions, or other actions between the petitioner and the respondent.

(d)       Verification of Terms of Existing Orders. – The clerk of court shall verify the terms of any existing protection orders governing the petitioner and respondent. The court shall not delay granting relief because of the existence of a pending action between the petitioner and respondent or the necessity of verifying the terms of an existing protection order. A petition for an ERPO under this Chapter may be granted whether or not there is a pending action between the petitioner and respondent.

(e)        Nondisclosure of Address. – A petitioner with a current and valid Address Confidentiality Program authorization card issued pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 15C of the General Statutes may use the substitute address designated by the Address Confidentiality Program when filing with the court any document required under this Chapter.

(f)        Court Costs and Attorneys' Fees. – No court costs or attorneys' fees shall be assessed for the filing or service of the petition, or the service of any ERPOs, except as provided in G.S. 1A‑1, Rule 11.

(g)        Electronic Filing. – All documents filed, issued, registered, or served in an action under this Chapter relating to an ERPO may be filed electronically.

"§ 50E‑5.  Process.

(a)        Summons Required. – Except as otherwise provided in G.S. 50E‑7, a petition for an ERPO requires that a summons be issued and served not later than five days prior to the date set for the full ERPO hearing. Attachments to the summons shall include the petition for any ERPO, any ex parte ERPO that has been issued and the notice of hearing on the ex parte ERPO, and a description of what an ERPO is.

(b)        Service of the Summons and Attachments. – The clerk of court shall effect service of the summons and any attachments through the appropriate law enforcement agency where the respondent is to be served.

"§ 50E‑6.  ERPO requirements; remedy; mental health or chemical dependency evaluation.

(a)        Required Information in ERPO. – An ERPO issued under this Chapter shall include all of the following:

(1)        A statement of the grounds supporting issuance of the ERPO.

(2)        The date and time the ERPO was issued.

(3)        The date and time the ERPO expires.

(4)        Whether a mental health evaluation or chemical dependency evaluation of the respondent is required.

(5)        The address of the court in which any responsive pleading may be filed.

(6)        A description of the requirements for relinquishment and retrieval of any firearms, ammunition, permits to purchase firearms, and permits to carry concealed firearms that are in the care, custody, ownership, or control of the respondent.

(7)        A description of the process for seeking termination of the ERPO.

(8)        A statement that a violation of the ERPO is punishable as a Class A1 misdemeanor.

(b)        Remedy Granted. – Upon issuance of an ERPO, including an ex parte ERPO, the court shall order the respondent to surrender to the sheriff all firearms, ammunition, permits to purchase firearms, and permits to carry concealed firearms that are in the care, custody, possession, ownership, or control of the respondent.

(c)        Mental Health or Chemical Dependency Evaluation. – During a hearing for issuance of an ERPO, the court shall consider whether a mental health evaluation or chemical dependency evaluation of the respondent is appropriate and may order the respondent to undergo evaluation if appropriate.

"§ 50E‑7.  Hearing and issuance of an ex parte Extreme Risk Protection Order.

(a)        Hearing. – Upon receipt of a petition for an ex parte ERPO, the court shall hold a hearing in person on the day the petition is filed or the judicial day immediately following the day the petition is filed.

(b)        Order. – If the court finds by clear, cogent, and convincing evidence that the respondent poses an imminent danger of causing physical injury to self or others by having in his or her custody a firearm, a judge or magistrate of district court may issue an ex parte ERPO before a hearing for a full ERPO and without evidence of service of process or notice.

(c)        Requirements. – An ex parte ERPO granted without notice shall meet all of the following requirements:

(1)        The ERPO shall be endorsed with the date and hour of issuance.

(2)        The ERPO shall be filed immediately in the clerk's office and entered of record.

(3)        The ERPO shall include a statement detailing why the ERPO was granted without notice.

(4)        The ERPO shall include the applicable information required under G.S. 50E‑6(a).

(5)        The ERPO shall expire by its terms within a specified amount of time after entry, not to exceed the limits set forth in G.S. 50E‑10(a).

(6)        The ERPO shall give notice of the date of hearing on the ex parte ERPO.

(d)       Appearance by Respondent. – If the respondent appears in court for a hearing on an ex parte ERPO, the respondent may elect to file a general appearance and testify. Any resulting ERPO may be an ex parte ERPO governed by this section. Notwithstanding the requirements of this section, if all requirements of G.S. 50E‑8 have been met, the court may issue a full ERPO.

(e)        Court Out of Session. – When the court is not in session, the petitioner may file for an ex parte ERPO before any judge or magistrate designated to grant relief under this Article. If the judge or magistrate finds that the requirements of subsection (a) of this section have been met, the judge or magistrate may issue an ex parte ERPO. The chief district court judge may designate for each county at least one judge or magistrate to be reasonably available to issue ex parte ERPOs when the court is not in session.

(f)        Video Conference. – Hearings held to consider ex parte relief pursuant to subsection (a) of this section may be held via video conference.

"§ 50E‑8.  Hearing and issuance of a full Extreme Risk Protection Order.

(a)        Hearing. – A court shall hold a hearing on a petition for a full ERPO no later than 10 days from either of the following dates:

(1)        If an ex parte ERPO has been issued, the date the ex parte ERPO was issued.

(2)        If subdivision (1) of this subsection does not apply, the date the petition for a full ERPO was filed with the court.

A continuance shall be limited to one extension of no more than 10 days unless all parties consent or good cause is shown.

(b)        Order. – A court may issue a full ERPO if all of the following requirements are met:

(1)        The court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the respondent poses a danger of causing physical injury to self or others by having in his or her custody a firearm.

(2)        Process was served on the respondent in accordance with the requirements of this Article.

(3)        Notice of hearing was given to the respondent in accordance with the requirements of this Article.

"§ 50E‑9. Surrender, retrieval, and disposal of firearms.

(a)        Surrender of Firearms. – Upon service of an ERPO, the respondent shall immediately surrender to the sheriff possession of all firearms, ammunition, permits to purchase firearms, and permits to carry concealed firearms that are in the care, custody, possession, ownership, or control of the respondent. In the event that weapons cannot be surrendered at the time the ERPO is served, the respondent shall surrender the firearms, ammunitions, and permits to the sheriff within 24 hours of service at a time and place specified by the sheriff. The sheriff shall store the firearms or contract with a licensed firearms dealer to provide storage.

(b)        Failure to Surrender. – Upon the sworn statement of the petitioner or the sheriff alleging that the respondent has failed to comply with the surrender of firearms required under subsection (a) of this section, the court shall determine whether probable cause exists to believe that the respondent has failed to surrender all firearms in his or her care, custody, possession, ownership, or control. If probable cause exists, the court shall issue a warrant describing the firearms and authorizing (i) a search of the locations where the firearms are reasonably believed and (ii) seizure of any firearms discovered pursuant to the search.

(c)        Receipt. – At the time of surrender or seizure, the sheriff taking possession of a firearm shall issue a receipt identifying all firearms that have been surrendered or seized and shall provide a copy of the receipt to the respondent. Within 48 hours after issuing the receipt, the officer shall file the original receipt with the court and shall also retain a copy for the sheriff's records.

(d)       Fee. – The sheriff may charge the respondent a reasonable fee for the storage of any firearms and ammunition taken pursuant to an ERPO. The fees are payable to the sheriff. The sheriff shall transmit the proceeds of these fees to the county finance officer. The fees shall be used by the sheriff to pay the costs of administering this section and for other law enforcement purposes. The county shall expend the restricted funds for these purposes only. The sheriff shall not release firearms, ammunition, or permits without a court order granting the release. The respondent shall remit all fees owed prior to the authorized return of any firearms, ammunition, or permits. The sheriff shall not incur any civil or criminal liability for alleged damage or deterioration due to storage or transportation of any firearms or ammunition held pursuant to this section.

(e)        Retrieval. – If the court does not enter a full ERPO when the ex parte ERPO expires, the respondent may retrieve any weapons surrendered to the sheriff unless the court finds that the respondent is otherwise precluded from owning or possessing a firearm pursuant to State or federal law.

(f)        Motion for Return. – The respondent may request the return of any firearms, ammunition, or permits surrendered by filing a motion with the court no later than 90 days after the expiration of the ERPO. Unless the court finds that the respondent is otherwise precluded from owning or possessing a firearm pursuant to State or federal law, all firearms, ammunition, and permits surrendered by the respondent shall be returned within 30 days of the date the motion was received by the court.

(g)        Motion for Return by Third Party. – A third‑party owner of firearms or ammunition who is otherwise eligible to possess the items may file a motion requesting the return to the third party of any of the items in the possession of the sheriff surrendered or seized as a result of the entry of an ERPO. The motion must be filed not later than 30 days after the surrender or seizure of the items by the sheriff. The third‑party owner shall also (i) provide proof of ownership of the firearms or ammunition and (ii) certify that the third‑party owner shall not allow the respondent to have access to the firearms or ammunition. Upon receipt of the third party's motion, the court shall schedule a hearing and provide written notice to all parties and the sheriff. The court shall order return of the items to the third party unless the third‑party owner fails to provide proof of ownership or certification as required under this subsection, or the court determines that the third party is disqualified from owning or possessing the items pursuant to State or federal law. If the court orders the return of the items to the third party, the third party is not required to pay any fees imposed under subsection (d) of this section. If the court denies the return of the items to the third party, the items shall be disposed of by the sheriff as provided in subsection (h) of this section.

(h)        Disposal of Firearms. – If the respondent or a third‑party owner does not file a motion within the applicable time period prescribed by this section requesting the return of any surrendered firearms, ammunition, or permits, if the court determines that the respondent or third‑party owner is precluded from regaining possession of any surrendered firearms, ammunition, or permits, or if the respondent fails to remit all fees owed for the storage of the firearms or ammunition within 30 days of the entry of the order granting the return of the firearms, ammunition, or permits, the sheriff who has control of the firearms, ammunition, or permits shall give notice to the respondent and the sheriff shall apply to the court for an order of disposition of the firearms, ammunition, or permits. The judge, after a hearing, may order the sheriff in possession, or the sheriff's duly authorized agent, to destroy the firearms, ammunition, and permits, or to dispose of the firearms, ammunition, and permits in one or more of the ways authorized by law, including subdivision (4b), (5), or (6) of G.S. 14‑269.1. The sheriff shall maintain a record of any firearms, ammunition, and permits destroyed in accordance with this subsection. If a sale by the sheriff does occur, any proceeds from the sale after deducting any costs associated with the storage and sale, and, in accordance with all applicable State and federal law, shall be provided to the respondent if requested by the respondent by motion made before the hearing or at the hearing and if ordered by the judge.

"§ 50E‑10.  Duration; renewal of ERPOs.

(a)        Duration of Ex Parte ERPO. – Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, an ex parte ERPO shall be effective until the date a hearing is held under G.S. 50E‑8. If a hearing is not held or a continuance was not granted, an ex parte ERPO shall be effective for not more than 10 days from the date the ex parte ERPO was issued.

(b)        Duration of Full ERPO. – A full ERPO shall be effective for a fixed period of time not to exceed one year.

(c)        Renewal. – Any ERPO may be renewed one or more times, as required, provided that the requirements of G.S. 50E‑7 or G.S. 50E‑8, as appropriate, are satisfied. The court may renew an ERPO, including an ERPO that previously has been renewed, upon a motion by the petitioner filed before the expiration of the current ERPO. Upon a motion for a renewal, the court shall hold a hearing no later than 10 days after the date the motion is filed in court. The court may renew an ex parte ERPO if the court finds by clear, cogent, and convincing evidence that there has been no material change in relevant circumstances since entry of the ex parte ERPO. The court may renew a full ERPO if the court finds by a preponderance of the evidence that there has been no material change in relevant circumstances since entry of the full ERPO. The commission of an act of unlawful conduct by the respondent after entry of the current ERPO is not required for an ERPO to be renewed. If the motion for renewal is uncontested and the petitioner seeks no modification of the ERPO, the ERPO may be renewed if the petitioner's motion or affidavit states that there has been no material change in relevant circumstances since entry of the ERPO and states the reason for the requested renewal. Renewals may be granted only in open court.

(d)       Expiration Date. – An ERPO expiring on a day the court is not open for business shall expire in accordance with the provisions of Rule 6(a) of the Rules of Civil Procedure, G.S. 1A‑1.

"§ 50E‑11.  Termination of an Extreme Risk Protection Order.

(a)        Motion. – The respondent may request the termination of a full ERPO by filing a motion with the court. The respondent may submit no more than one motion for termination for every 12‑month period the full ERPO is in effect, starting from the date of the full ERPO and continuing through any renewals.

(b)        Hearing. – Upon receipt of a request for a hearing to terminate a full ERPO, the court shall set a date for a hearing. Notice of the request for a hearing shall be served on the petitioner in accordance with Rule 4 of the Rules of Civil Procedure. The court shall set the date for the hearing no sooner than 14 days and no later than 30 days from the date of service of the request upon the petitioner.

(c)        Burden of Proof; Termination. – The respondent shall have the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that the respondent does not pose a danger of causing physical injury to self or others by having in his or her care, custody, possession, ownership, or control a firearm. If the court finds after the hearing that the respondent has met his or her burden, the court shall terminate the full ERPO.

"§ 50E‑12.  Notice.

(a)        Notice Law Enforcement; Entry into National Database. – The clerk of court shall deliver on the same day that an ERPO is issued, a certified copy of that ERPO to the sheriff of the county in which the ERPO is issued. Any order extending, modifying, or revoking an ERPO shall be promptly delivered to the sheriff by the clerk and served in a manner provided for service of process in accordance with the provisions of this section. The sheriff shall provide for prompt entry of the ERPO into the National Crime Information Center registry and shall provide for access of such orders to the courts on a 24‑hour‑a‑day basis. Modifications, terminations, renewals, and dismissals of the ERPO shall also be promptly entered. A copy of the ERPO shall be issued promptly to and retained by the police department of the municipality of the petitioner's residence. If the petitioner's residence is not located in a municipality or in a municipality with no police department, copies shall be issued promptly to and retained by the sheriff of the county in which the petitioner's residence is located.

(b)        Notice to Respondent. – If the respondent was not present in court when the ERPO was issued, the respondent may be served in the manner provided for service of process in civil proceedings in accordance with Rule 4(j) of the Rules of Civil Procedure. If the summons has not yet been served upon the respondent, it shall be served with the ERPO. Law enforcement agencies shall accept receipt of copies of the ERPO issued by the clerk of court by electronic transmission for service on respondents.

(c)        Notice to Third Parties. – If the petitioner for an ERPO is a law enforcement officer or agency, the officer or agency shall make a good‑faith effort to provide notice of the petition to any known third party who may be at risk of unlawful conduct from the respondent.

"§ 50E‑13.  Prohibition; violation.

(a)        Prohibition. – It is unlawful for any person to possess, purchase, or receive, or attempt to possess, purchase, or receive, a firearm, ammunition, or permits to purchase or carry concealed firearms, for so long as an ERPO entered against that person in accordance with this Chapter is in effect.

(b)        Violation. – A person who violates subsection (a) of this section or any other term of an ERPO entered pursuant to this Chapter is guilty of a Class A1 misdemeanor.

"§ 50E‑14.  False statement regarding ERPO a misdemeanor.

A person who knowingly makes a false statement when petitioning for an ERPO under this Chapter, or who knowingly makes a false statement to a law enforcement agency or officer that an ERPO entered pursuant to this Chapter remains in effect, is guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor.

"§ 50E‑15.  Remedies not exclusive.

The remedies provided by this Chapter are not exclusive but are additional to other remedies provided under law.

"§ 50E‑16.  Other authority retained.

This Chapter does not affect the ability of a law enforcement officer to remove a firearm, permit to purchase firearms, or permit to carry concealed firearms from any person, or conduct any search and seizure for firearms, pursuant to other lawful authority.

"§ 50E‑17.  Liability.

Except as provided in G.S. 50E‑13 or G.S. 50E‑14, this Chapter shall not be interpreted to impose any criminal or civil liability on any person or entity for acts or omissions related to obtaining an ERPO, including reporting, declining to report, investigating, declining to investigate, filing, or declining to file a petition under this Chapter."

SECTION 2.  Chapter 15C of the General Statutes reads as rewritten:

"Chapter 15C.

"Address Confidentiality Program.

"§ 15C‑1.  Purpose.

The purpose of this Chapter is to enable the State and the agencies of North Carolina to respond to requests for public records without disclosing the location of a petitioner for an Extreme Risk Protection Order or a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, stalking, or human trafficking; to enable interagency cooperation in providing address confidentiality for a petitioner for an Extreme Risk Protection Order or victims of domestic violence, sexual offense, stalking, or human trafficking; and to enable the State and its agencies to accept a program participant's use of an address designated by the Office of the Attorney General as a substitute address.

"§ 15C‑2.  Definitions.

The following definitions apply in this Chapter:

…

(2)        Address Confidentiality Program or Program. – A program in the Office of the Attorney General to protect the confidentiality of the address of an ERPO petitioner or a relocated victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking to prevent the petitioner's or victim's assailants or potential assailants from finding the petitioner or victim through public records.

…

(5a)      ERPO petitioner. – The person who petitions for an Extreme Risk Protection Order under Chapter 50E of the General Statutes.

…

"§ 15C‑3.  Address Confidentiality Program.

The General Assembly establishes the Address Confidentiality Program in the Office of the Attorney General to protect the confidentiality of the address of an ERPO petitioner or a relocated victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, stalking, or human trafficking to prevent the petitioner's or victim's assailants or potential assailants from finding the petitioner or victim through public records. Under this Program, the Attorney General shall designate a substitute address for a program participant and act as the agent of the program participant for purposes of service of process and receiving and forwarding first‑class mail or certified or registered mail. The Attorney General shall not be required to forward any mail other than first‑class mail or certified or registered mail to the program participant. The Attorney General shall not be required to track or otherwise maintain records of any mail received on behalf of a program participant unless the mail is certified or registered mail.

"§ 15C‑4.  Filing and certification of applications; authorization card.

(a)        An individual who wants to participate in the Address Confidentiality Program shall file an application with the Attorney General with the assistance of an application assistant. Any of the following individuals may apply to the Attorney General to have an address designated by the Attorney General to serve as the substitute address of the individual:

(1)        An adult individual.

(2)        A parent or guardian acting on behalf of a minor when the minor resides with the individual.

(3)        A guardian acting on behalf of an incapacitated individual.

(b)        The application shall be dated, signed, and verified by the applicant and shall be signed by the application assistant who assisted in the preparation of the application.

(c)        The application shall contain all of the following:

(1)        A statement by the applicant that the applicant is an ERPO petitioner or a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, stalking, or human trafficking and that the applicant fears for the applicant's safety or the safety of the applicant's child.

(2)        EvidenceExcept for an applicant that is an ERPO petitioner, evidence that the applicant is a victim of domestic violence, sexual offense, stalking, or human trafficking. For an applicant that is an ERPO petitioner, evidence that the applicant is at risk from violence or other unlawful conduct from the respondent in a petition filed under Chapter 50E of the General Statutes. This evidence may include any of the following:

a.         Law enforcement, court, or other federal or state agency records or files.

b.         Documentation from a domestic violence program if the applicant is alleged to be a victim of domestic violence.

c.         Documentation from a religious, medical, or other professional from whom the applicant has sought assistance in dealing with the alleged domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking.

d.         Documentation submitted to support a victim of human trafficking's application for federal assistance or benefits under federal human trafficking laws.

…

(4)        AExcept for an applicant that is an ERPO petitioner, a statement by the applicant that the applicant has or will confidentially relocate in North Carolina.

…

(7)        The address that the applicant requests not to be disclosed by the Attorney General that directly relates to the increased risk of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking.stalking, or other unlawful conduct.

…."

SECTION 3.  Development of Forms. – The Administrative Office of the Courts shall develop the appropriate forms to implement the processes provided under Chapter 50E of the General Statutes, as enacted by Section 1 of this act.

SECTION 4.  Appropriation. – There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Administrative Office of the Courts the sum of twenty thousand dollars ($20,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2018‑2019 fiscal year to be used for the training of magistrates and judges of the district courts, clerks of the superior courts, and law enforcement officers in how to implement and enforce the provisions of Chapter 50E of the General Statutes, as enacted by Section 1 of this act.

SECTION 5.  Effective Date. – Section 4 of this act becomes effective July 1, 2018. The remainder of this act becomes effective December 1, 2018.