NC S412

Prohibits confidentiality agreements in civil cases involving public hazards (personal injury, wrongful death, or property damage) unless a court enters a final protective order after finding the agreement serves the public interest.

Requires courts to balance the public's right to information about alleged public health or safety risks against protection of trade secrets and confidential business information when deciding whether to approve confidentiality agreements.

Allows any interested party to appeal a court's grant or denial of a final protective order to the Court of Appeals for de novo review, with such orders treated as final judgments.

Permits parties to keep settlement amounts confidential through confidentiality agreements without judicial approval, and does not restrict the court's authority to limit confidentiality agreements in other types of cases.

Effective October 1, 2015, applying only to court orders and agreements entered into on or after that date.