GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

1985 SESSION

 

 

CHAPTER 323

HOUSE BILL 986

 

AN ACT TO REQUIRE THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES STUDY THE ISSUE OF REVISION OF MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF LOCAL JAILS.

 

Whereas, the county commissioners and sheriffs are jointly responsible for the construction and operation of local jails; and

Whereas, the Department of Human Resources, Division of Facility Services, Jails and Detention Branch, is responsible for developing minimum standards for the construction and operation of local jails; and

Whereas, the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations has expressed interest in and concern about the necessity for revision of construction and operation standards for local jails; and

Whereas, this issue was referred by the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations to the Senate Committee on Human Resources and to the House of Representatives Committee on Corrections; and

Whereas, these two legislative committees have met jointly on a number of occasions; and

Whereas, these two legislative committees have found that the minimum standards for construction and operation of local jails have not been comprehensively or systematically reviewed since 1968; and

Whereas, since 1968 there have been significant advances in construction methods and operation standards, and in legal requirements placed upon local jails; Now, therefore,

 

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

 

Section 1.  The Secretary of Human Resources shall form a study committee to review, analyze, and make necessary recommendations to the General Assembly concerning revision of minimum standards for the construction and operation of local jails.  The Secretary shall consult with those groups identified in G.S. 153A-221(b) in forming this study committee.

Sec. 2.  The Secretary of Human Resources shall make a written report to the 1985 General Assembly, Regular Session 1986, including recommendations for revision of the minimum standards for construction and operation of local jails.  This report shall be presented to the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. Copies shall be presented to the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Corrections, to the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Human Resources, and to the Director of the Division of Fiscal Research of the Legislative Services Office.

Sec. 3.  This act is effective upon ratification.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 4th day of June, 1985.