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NC H661
Bill
Status
Engrossed
5/2/2023
Primary Sponsor
Matthew Winslow
Click for details
AI Summary
- Expands peer counselor privilege protections to include corrections officers, emergency personnel officers (firefighting, search and rescue, emergency medical services), and their immediate family members, in addition to existing law enforcement officer coverage
- Allows peer counselors to be designated by any agency head (law enforcement, corrections, or emergency) rather than requiring designation by the same employing agency
- Removes requirements that peer counselors be specifically assigned to the individual receiving counseling or that the designating agency must be the same as the client's employing agency
- Maintains exceptions to privilege for peer counselors who were initial responders or witnesses to incidents, communications outside official capacity, and communications related to criminal law violations (with protection for use of force communications)
- Effective retroactively to July 8, 2022, and does not shield mandatory reports of suspected child abuse, neglect, or disabled adult exploitation from disclosure requirements
Legislative Description
Emergency Services Peer Counseling Privilege
Counseling; Emergency Services; Mental Health; Personnel; Public
Last Action
Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
5/2/2023
Committee Referrals
Rules and Operations of the Senate5/2/2023
Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House4/26/2023
Judiciary I4/18/2023
Full Bill Text
No bill text available