NC S630

Appropriates $8,300,000 for fiscal years 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 to the State Highway Patrol Division for annual compensation increases, establishing a ten-year pay schedule ranging from $44,000 for new officers to $72,964 for officers with ten years of experience.

Increases death benefits for law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty from $100,000 to $1,000,000, payable to surviving spouse, dependent children, dependent parents, or the deceased's estate in that order of priority.

Appropriates $18,000,000 in recurring funds for fiscal years 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 to the Department of State Treasurer to pay the increased death benefits.

Requires that in cases involving the murder of a law enforcement officer, corrections employee, jailer, firefighter, judge, prosecutor, juror, or witness, a jury must make a sentencing recommendation even if the defendant pleads guilty, preventing the State from accepting a life imprisonment plea without jury involvement.

Establishes effective dates of July 1, 2019 for pay and benefits provisions and December 1, 2019 for death penalty procedure changes.