NC S667

Removes provisions allowing courts to refer claims of factual innocence directly to the North Carolina Innocence Inquiry Commission, instead establishing the Commission as a body that receives cases for investigation and review.

Clarifies that the Director (rather than the full Commission) has primary duties including establishing case screening criteria, coordinating investigations, and presenting cases to the Commission for consideration.

Expands public transparency by requiring public notice of Commission meetings, scheduling opportunities for public comment on Commission operations, and making case files available to district attorneys and defense counsel upon completion of formal inquiry.

Requires the Director to provide confidential case status updates at least every six months to the District Attorney, convicted person, and counsel during formal inquiry, and mandates notification of victims and codefendants when formal inquiry is granted.

Modifies the Commission's deliberation process to include closed deliberation followed by a public vote, and removes the Innocence Inquiry Commission's blanket exemption from public meetings requirements under the public records law.