NC H356

Allows judges to offer up to 10 hours of free post-trial psychological counseling to jurors or alternate jurors exposed to graphic evidence or testimony in trials.

Jurors must request counseling within 180 days after the jury is dismissed to be eligible for the service.

Counseling may be coordinated through the State Employee Assistance Program, county-operated area mental health providers, or other arrangements, and can be provided individually or in groups.

Permits jurors to waive their per diem fees to help offset counseling costs, with waived fees designated for this purpose if the service is available in their judicial district.

Appropriates up to $10,000 for fiscal year 2011-2012 and $10,000 for fiscal year 2012-2013 to implement the program, effective July 1, 2011.