NC H374

Appropriates $1,600,000 from the General Fund to the Office of Indigent Defense Services for the 2015-2016 fiscal year to establish automated kiosks in local confinement facilities allowing attorneys to consult with indigent clients remotely.

Kiosks must incorporate technology that prevents monitoring or recording of attorney-client meetings to preserve confidentiality, with no direct cost to attorneys for kiosk use during the initial two-year period.

Requires the Office of Indigent Defense Services to issue a Request for Proposal by July 31, 2015, with vendor selection for an initial two-year period; vendor owns and maintains kiosks and oversees attorney access.

Directs the Commission on Indigent Defense Services to use system savings to either continue kiosk funding or reduce carry-forward debt from 2013-2015, with any additional savings used to increase rates for private assigned counsel and contract attorneys during 2015-2017.

Requires annual reporting to legislative committees on kiosk system establishment, usage, and cost-savings by February 1 of each year, effective July 1, 2015.