House Bill 593 Summary

• Modifies Juvenile Crime Prevention Councils by changing annual needs assessment from yearly to biennial review and requiring bimonthly meetings (six times per year minimum).

• Establishes procedures for individuals under age 18 in custody to be held in juvenile detention facilities approved by the Juvenile Justice Section rather than county jails, with transport protocols when they turn 18.

• Increases appointed counsel fees in criminal cases from $60 to $75 per case and increases court costs by $1 ($2 to $3 for Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission; adds $2 for Indigent Defense Services).

• Creates new judicial review process allowing individuals notified of sex offender registration requirements based on out-of-state or federal convictions to petition superior court to challenge whether their conviction is substantially similar to North Carolina reportable offenses.

• Modifies radiological emergency planning fees by changing payment deadline from July 31 to a schedule set by the Department of Public Safety and clarifies fee application for nuclear facilities.