NC H678

Allows claimants to directly file claims of factual innocence for homicide, robbery, sex offenses, and Class A through E felonies, rather than only through courts, agencies, or counsel.

Requires the Commission to obtain a signed waiver agreement from the convicted person before conducting forensic testing or interviews, and mandates forensic testing occur only after this agreement is executed.

Establishes mandatory public hearings before the full Commission at case completion and requires District Attorneys and defense counsel be permitted to attend all hearing portions; also creates mandatory pre-hearing conferences at least 10 days prior.

Requires confidential case status updates to be provided at least every six months to the District Attorney and convicted person (or counsel), including summaries of investigative actions and forensic testing results.

Allows the District Attorney and defense counsel to agree that sufficient evidence exists to bypass the eight-member panel and proceed directly to the three-judge panel review, and permits them to determine which evidence will be presented to that panel.