Open Government Guide for North Carolina

7/27/2019 Open Government Guide for North Carolina

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/open-government-guide-for-north-carolina 1/48

North CaroliNa

Open

GOvernment

Guide

access Pubc recdsnd Meengs n

Sx Edn2011


http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/open-government-guide-for-north-carolina 2/48.



Open G Overnment G uide n Orth C arOl

T he R epoRTeRsCommiTTee foR fReedom of The pRess

open G oveRnmenT G uide

open R eCoRds andmeeTinGs L aws in

North CaroliNa Prepared by:

hug Sevens, [email protected]. amnd Mn, [email protected] Mce J. tdyc, [email protected]

Sevens Mn Vugn & tdyc, PllC te hsc P M

1101 hynes See, Sue 100reg, N Cn 27604(919) 582-2300; (866) 593-7695

Sx Edn2011



N orth C aroliNa opeN G overNmeNt G uide


oPEN GoVErNMENt GUiDE

access Pubc recds nd Meengs n

North CaroliNa

SiXth EDitioN 2011

Pevusy ted tppng ocs’ Seces

Pubsed by te repes Cmmee Feedm e Pess

lucy a. Dgs, Execuve Dec

EDitorSGegg lese, leg Deense Dec

Mk Cmnc, Feedm inmn Dec

aSSiStaNt EDitorSCsne Becke, Jck Nesn leg Few

an Mckey Emy Peesn

Pducn e sx edn s cmpendum ws pssbedue e geneus nnc cnbuns :

te Snn Fundn

© 2011, 2006, 2001, 1997, 1993, 1989 by te repes Cmmee Feedm e Pess. a gs eseved. N p s pubcn my be epduced n ny m

by ny mens wu e p, wen pemssn e pubse.

iSBN: 1-58078-228-0





inducy Ne . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v

Use’s Gude . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v

ForEWorD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1

open recds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2

i. StatUtE -- BaSiC aPPliCatioN . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 a. W cn eques ecds? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2B. Wse ecds e nd e n subjec e c? . . . . . . . . . .2C. W ecds e nd e n subjec e c? . . . . . . . . . . .3D. Fee pvsns pcces. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3E. W ences e c? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4F. ae ee sncns nncmpnce? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

ii. EXEMPtioNS aND othEr lEGal liMitatioNS . . .4 a. Exempns n e pen ecds sue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4B. oe suy excusns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

C. Cu-deved excusns, cmmn w pbns,ecgnzed pveges gns dscsue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10D. ae segegbe pns ecds cnnng exemp me

vbe? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10E. hmend Secuy Mesues. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10

iii. StatE laW oN ElECtroNiC rECorDS . . . . . . . . . . .10 a. Cn e equese cse m ecevng ecds? . . .10B. Cn e equese bn cusmzed sec cmpue

dbses pcu needs? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10C. Des e exsence nmn n eecnc m ec

s penness? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10D. hw s e-m eed? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10E. hw e ex messges nd nsn messges eed? . . . . . .11F. hw e sc med psngs nd messges eed? . . . . . .11

G. hw e nne dscussn bd pss eed? . . . . . . . . . . .11h. Cmpue swe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11i. hw e ees eecnc ecds ssessed? . . . . . . . . . . . . .11 J. Mney-mkng scemes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11K. on-ne dssemnn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

iV. rECorD CatEGoriES -- oPEN or CloSED . . . . . . . .11 a. aupsy eps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11B. admnsve encemen ecds (e.g., wke sey nd

e nspecns, ccden nvesgns) . . . . . . . . . . . .11C. Bnk ecds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11D. Budges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12E. Busness ecds, nnc d, de seces. . . . . . . . . . . . .12F. Cncs, ppss nd bds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12G. Cecve bgnng ecds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12h. Cnes eps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

i. Ecnmc devepmen ecds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 J. Eecn ecds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12K. Gun pems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12l. hsp eps.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12 M. Pesnne ecds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13N. Pce ecds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14o. Psn, pe nd pbn eps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14P. Pubc uy ecds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15Q. re ese ppss, negns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15r. Sc nd unvesy ecds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15S. V sscs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

V. ProCEDUrE For oBtaiNiNG rECorDS . . . . . . . . . a. hw s.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B. hw ng w. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C . a d m n s v e p p e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

D. Cu cn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E. appeng n cu decsns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F. addessng gvenmen sus gns dscsue.. . . . . . . . . .

open Meengs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

i. StatUtE -- BaSiC aPPliCatioN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a. W my end? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B. W gvenmens e subjec e w? . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C. W bdes e cveed by e w? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D. W cnsues meeng subjec e w. . . . . . . . . . . .E. Ceges meengs subjec e w. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F. recdng/bdcs meengs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .G. ae ee sncns nncmpnce? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

ii. EXEMPtioNS aND othEr lEGal liMitatioNS . a. Exempns n e pen meengs sue. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B. any e suy equemens csed pen meen

22C. Cu mnded penng, csng. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

iii. MEEtiNG CatEGoriES -- oPEN or CloSED. . . . . . a. adjudcns by dmnsve bdes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .B. Budge sessns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .C. Busness nd ndusy ens. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D. Fede pgms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .E. Fnnc d pubc bdes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .F. Fnnc d, de seces ppey d pve

cpns nd ndvdus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .G. Gs, uss nd ny degees. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

h. Gnd juy esmny by pubc empyees. . . . . . . . . . . . . .i. lcensng exmnns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J. lgn; pendng gn e ney-cen

pveges. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .K. Negns nd cecve bgnng pubc empyeesl. Pe bd meengs, meengs nvvng pe bd

decsns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . M. Pens; dscussns n ndvdu pens. . . . . . . . . . . . . .N. Pesnne mes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .o. re ese negns.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .P. Secuy, nn nd/ se, budngs, pesnne

e. 24Q. Sudens; dscussns n ndvdu sudens. . . . . . . . . . . . .

iV. ProCEDUrE For aSSErtiNG riGht oF aCCESS . a. Wen cenge. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

B. hw s.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C. Cu evew dmnsve decsn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D. appeng n cu decsns. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

V. aSSErtiNG a riGht to CoMMENt. . . . . . . . . . . . . . a. is ee g pcpe n pubc meengs? . . . . . . . . .B. Mus cmmene gve nce nenns cmmen? .C. Cn pubc bdy m cmmen? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .D. hw cn pcpn sse gs cmmen? . . . . . . . . .E. ae ee sncns unppved cmmen? . . . . . . . . . . .

Sue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Cnens




v T he R epoRTeRsCommiTTee foR fReedom of The pRess

inducy Ne

te oPEN GoVErNMENt GUiDE s cmpe-ensve gude pen gvenmen w nd pcce nec e 50 ses nd e Dsc Cumb. Fy-ne unes de e gs epes nd e c-zens see nmn nd end meengs se ndc gvenmens.

te oPEN GoVErNMENt GUiDE — pevusy

pubsed s tppng ocs’ Seces — s e se e-eence n pen gvenmen ws n mny ses.

Wen w sndd une w esy cm-psns beween se ws, e cmpendum s enbedpen gvenmen dvces n ne se use gumenssuccessu n e ses ennce ccess gs me.Pess sscns nd bbyss ve been be nvkee sunsne ws s ey seek ems n e wn.

Vunee neys, expe n pen gvenmen ws nec se nd n Wsngn, D.C., geneusy dnede me pepe e n unes e s nc-nn s pjec n 1989. in ms ses ese sme

neys e cse ssces upded nd ewee unes e 1993, 1997, 2001 nd 2006 ednss we s cuen 2011 edn.

aneys w e new e cmpendum n s ed-n e s expes n pen gvenmen nd ccess s-sues, nd we e geu em e wngness se n s ngng pjec cee e s nd ny deed ese n se pen gvenmen w. te cknwedge nd expeence e pcpng neysbng s pjec mke success.

We ms e n uses s cmpendumwee junss, we knw wyes nd czens ve

dscveed nd nd be ndspensbe s we. a s ce, pcpy demccy deces cked es

nd csed ds. Gd czens sudy e gvens,cenge e decsns ey mke nd pen ve cnge wen cnge s needed. Bu n czen cn cy u ese espnsbes wen gvenmen s sece.

assunces pen gvenmen exs n e cmmnw, n e s se ws e cnzn, n ews n e wes nd even n se cnsuns. a ses

ve pssed ws equng penness, en n dec e-spnse e scnds spwned by gvenmen sececy. te U.S. Cngess sengened e ede Feedm inmn ac e Wege, nd mny ses -wed su.

Ses w dny sng ccess ws ncude Ve-mn, wc pvdes vuy uneeed ccess n mny

eves; Fd, wc ws ne e s ses enc sunsne w; nd o, wse cus ve ssued sev-e ccess-endy ungs. oe jusdcns, suc sPennsyvn nd e Dsc Cumb, ve mdesgncn cnges e especve pen gvenmen ws snce e edn ws pubsed desgned se gee pubc ccess nmn. hscy,Pennsyvn d epun s beng evey nn-nspen we e Dsc Cumb ws knwn ve vey escve pen meengs w.

Sme pubc cs n se nd c gvenmens wk d ceve nd ence pen gvenmen ws.

te mvemen wd se eedm nmncmpnce ces efecs gwng cvsm ccess nmn n e ses.

Bu suc c dspsn wd penness s excep-n. hdy dy ges by wen we dn’ e se c gvenmen s yng esc ccess ecds ve dny been pubc — usuy be-cuse s eed eese e ecds w ve sme-ne’s “pvcy” een u nn’s secuy.

i s n s cme ensn beween bd dem-cc mndes penness nd c peeence sececy epes nd gd czens need gne

e esuces ensue e pssge nd success pengvenmen ws.

te repes Cmmee genuney pes eoPEN GoVErNMENt GUiDE w ep vg-us pess nd czeny spe nd ceve demnds penness, nd w seve s pme se wbe n gvenmen ces nd n e cus ccess ecds nd meengs. Wen cenges sececy esuccessu, e news s bee nd s s e gvenmen.





Use’s Gude

Wee yu e usng gude m ne se nd specc nswe n ccess ssue, e cmpee cm-pendum encmpssng ses suvey ppces pcu spec pen gvenmen w und ecuny, knwng ew bscs n w e oPEN GoV-ErNMENt GUiDE s se up w ep yu ge ems u .

Following the outline. Evey se secn s bsed n esme sndd une. te une s dvded n wps: ccess ecds nd ccess meengs.

S by evewng e be cnens ec se.i ncudes e s w es se’s une. once yu e m w e sucue e une, ndngspecc nmn s smpe. typcy, e une be-gns by descbng e gene sucue e se w,en pvdes deed pc sngs expnng ccesspces specc knds ecds meengs.

Evey se une ws e sndd une, bu ee w be sme vns. Sme cnbus ddedems wn e une, med subpns und ne cmpee une wc wee n eevn se’s w. Ec cnge ws mde e needs pcu se’s ws nd pcces.

in gene, une pns ppe n bdce ypee p e sndd une, we ddn pcs w ppe n czed ype.

Wee yu e usng ne se une ny numbe unes, we nk yu w nd e une m ep-u n ndng specc nmn qucky wu vng ed n ene sue sec ug mny cu cses. Bu wen yu d need cnsu sues, yu wnd e cmpee ex e eevn pns e end ec une.

addn cpes ndvdu se bkes, e

cmpendum cveng e 50 ses nd e Dsc Cumb, cn be deed m te repes Cmm-ee Feedm e Pess, 1101 Wsn Bvd., Sue1100, angn, Vgn 22209, by cng (703) 807-2100. te cmpendum s vbe n eecnc m n CD.

te se unes s e vbe n u Wd-Wde Web se, www.cp.g/gg. te inene vesn eunes ws yu sec e dbse nd cmpee w n deen ses.

Updates: te repes Cmmee pubsed nedns thE oPEN GoVErNMENt GUiDE1989, 1993, 1997, 2001, 2006, nd nw n 2011. We pec uue updes w n ppxmey e sscedue. i we becme we mskes memssns n s wk, we w ps nces n s pec’s pge n u Wd-Wde Web se, www.cp.gg. ts des n men e unes w cnsnbe upded n e se — smpy mens knwn e w be ceced ee.

F u mny edes w e n wyes: ts bs desgned ep junss, wyes, nd czens u

desnd nd use se pen ecds nd meengs aug e gudes wee wen by wyes, ey desgned be useu nd edbe by nnwyes we. hweve, sme e eemens eg wng mbe unm y edes. a quck vevew smeese cusms sud suce ep yu ve ny ud

lwyes e ned gve “eg cn” msemens w. te nme cu cse numb sue my eee be cked n e end senence. ts my k ke senence gmen, meve yu wndeng sme nmn bu c ws med. Nng ws e u; ncusn ecn pvdes eeence e cse sue supng e semen nd pvdes snd me denyng uy, sud yu need ce

leg cn m s ndces wee e w cnund n c epes e eg dgess. typc ce cu cse w be wed by e vume pge numbes eg epe. Ms se cses wund n e se epe, ge egn epe,b. a cse ce edng 123 a.2d 456 mens e ccud be und n e anc (egn) epe, secsees, vume 123, sng pge 456.

Ne e cmpee cn cse s en gv

ny nce. We ve ed emne s mny cypsecnd-eeence ces s pssbe, bu yu my encue ces ke “Jcksn 321.” ts mens e us eeng yu pge 321 cse ced ee cudes e nme Jcksn. aus my s use e wsup n ee dscussn cse ppeee e n e une, especvey.

Excep ese eg cn ms, ms “eges been vded. We pe s w mke s gude mccessbe eveyne.






T he R epoRTeRsCommiTTee foR fReedom of The pRess Pg

Peped by:

hug Sevens, [email protected]. amnd Mn, [email protected] Mce J. tdyc, [email protected]

Sevens Mn Vugn & tdyc, PllC te hsc P M

1101 hynes See, Sue 100reg, N Cn 27604(919) 582-2300; (866) 593-7695

ForEWorD

in N Cn, pubc ccess nmn bu e wk-ngs gvenmen s pvded pmy ug e open Meengslw (G.S. §§ 143-318.9 ug 143-318.18 (1991)) nd e Pubcrecds lw (G.S. §§ 132-1 ug 132-10 (1995)). tese w s-ues, cuped w dn ency nd ngenuy n e p e se’s newsppes nd deepy enenced sense ene-men n e p e se’s czens, pen mny meeng ms,es nd dbses ewse wud emn csed. a e smeme, b sues ncude mbgues nd weknesses pvdeee gund dspues nd dsgeemens beween czens wseek nmn nd pubc cs w wn cnce . in mny especs, eee, e open Meengs lw nd e Pubc recdslw dene n e ues e gme, bu e pyng ed n wce ccess gme s pyed.

Becuse N Cn s n c egsve sy, e -gns nd mvns e se’s w “sunsne ws” e, n-cy, suded n sc ms. te Pubc recds lw des m1935. te pncp pupse e gn sue ws e preserva-tion pubc ecds; e pembe e c, wc ws ed sCpe 265 e 1935 Sessn lws, mened e se’s ue

mke sysemc pvsn e pesevn nd vby pubc ecds s esued n und sses m e, we,s nd e vemn, ceessness, debee desucn, se,gs, ns nd e use mpemnen ppe nd nk . . . .

te bsc ccess pvsns ve emned e cnged snce eencmen. a sgncn mendmen ccued n 1975, wen Cm-

mn Cuse nd e gups successuy supped n mendmen exend e w cmpuezed ecds nd e nn-dnms d sge nd eev. te ms ecen mendmens k ge sdes ddess e ssues pcng cpes ecds nde mng espndng equess.

te open Meengs lw ws gny enced n 1971 s p e wve “pen gvenmen” em e e 1960s nd ey 1970s ncuded e ede Feedm inmn ac.

aug e gn open Meengs lw equed e “gvenngnd gvenmen bdes” e se nd s pc subdvsns cnduc e “c meengs” n pubc, dd n expessy e-que nce suc meengs be gven n dvnce. ts nmy ed e N Cn Cu appes d n 1976 cse pubc bdy ws equed gve “esnbe” nce s mee-

ngs — sndd s wc dny czens nd pubc cscey wud nd dd de. See, e.g., News & Observer Publishing Co.v. Interim Board o Education or Wake County, 29 N.C. app. 37, 223S.E.2d 580 (1976), n wc e Cu appes ed , wene u’s nce sc bd meeng ws unesnby s, 48-u nce equemen mpsed by e cu’s njuncn ws unesnby ng. one ye e, e N Cn SupemeCu ued meeng e cuy e Sc lw eUnvesy N Cn ws n cveed by e open Meengslw becuse e cuy ws nee “gvenng” “gvenmen”bdy e se. Student Bar Association v. Byrd , 293 N.C. 594, 239S.E.2d 415 (1977).

as dec espnse e scmngs e open Meengs lw

eveed by ese w decsns, e N Cn Pess asscnd e N Cn asscn Bdcses muned mbbyng e mpve e w n e 1979 Gene assemby. tes wee gey successu, n e evsed open Meengs lcnned exensve nd deed pvsns pubc nce e, spec, nd emegency meengs; deed pvsns uze bdcsng nd ecdng pubc meengs; nd mpvemn e pvsns eng njuncve ee.

te open Meengs lw emned esseny uncnged

1979 un 1986, wen e N Cn Pess asscn gspeeded n e dd new emedy weeby cu cdece nu nd vd cns pubc bdy “ken, cnsdeed, cussed, debeed” n vn e w. ts “vdby” edy, wc ws veemeny ppsed by c gvenmen gups e N Cn hsp asscn, ws vewed s ppypvsn, n wud be used pmy ce cecve c te med expeence w e pvsn snce s encmen sugg s vew ws cec.

te N Cn open Meengs lw ncudes e wceu pcy semen:

Wees e pubc bdes dmnse e egsve, pmkng, qus-judc, dmnsve, nd dvsy uncnN Cn nd s pc subdvsns exs sey cduc e pepe’s busness, s e pubc pcy N Cn e engs, debens, nd cns ese bdbe cnduced peny.

incy, e Gene assemby, wc pmuged e egpcy semen, ws eecvey exemped m e w un 19becuse secn e open Meengs lw (snce epeed) pved egsve cmmees nd subcmmees d e “neg” d n execuve sessn peven pesn embssm “wen s n e bes nees e se.” Meve, we ues nd pcedues dped by e huse nd Sene esued negsve pcess beng geney ccessbe nd pen, e Gen assemby psed n b vng n unc, -e-bgup pweu egss mee n sece mue key de e se budge. Ed pessue cued s pcess yes, bu n ecen sessns s emeged gn.

in 1994, e sue ws ue mended bden e den pubc bdy; educe e numbe juscns csed sns; nsue pcedu seguds wen pubc bdy ges csed sessn; eque mnues be kep meengs — pencsed; expse pubc cs pesn by neys’ eeey ve e w; esbs pcedue bnng n expedeng n eged vns; nd ncude cnsuen nsune Unvesy N Cn wn e mb e open Mngs lw.

in 1996, e N Cn Supeme Cu ued n MareadCity o Winston-Salem, 342 N.C. 708, 467 S.E.2d 615 (1996), cdn e snge wd “dscussn” cnsued u nd ccumnues csed sessn. in espnse, e Gene assemby umended e w eque “[w]en pubc bdy mees

csed sessn, s keep gene ccun e csed sessn pesn n n endnce wud ve esnbe undesng w nsped. Suc ccuns my be wen nve vde ud ecdngs.” G.S. § 143-318.10(e).

Ms eeced se cs gve cnsdebe p sevce e ccep pen meengs nd pubc ecds, nd mny pvde subsve supp mpvemens n e sues. on e e nd,dep cmmmen s efeced n e c ms memb e Gene assemby (ncudng sme w ve been dvcese pncpes pen gvenmen) e dmny ppsed mpng cv penes cmn nes n pubc bdes pubc c w ve e open Meengs lw e Pubc recds lw. See s s gene geemen dsc neys wud m




Pge 2 T he R epoRTeRsCommiTTee foR fReedom of The pRess

neve cse psecue suc vns even cmn sncnswee vbe, ppnens ve csen supp emedes wc cnbe enced by “ny pesn” w s wng nsue su.

te 1995 mendmens e Pubc recds lw dded sngpcy semen n § 132-1(b):

te pubc ecds nd pubc nmn cmped by e gen-ces N Cn gvenmen s subdvsns e eppey e pepe. teee, s e pcy s se e pepe my bn cpes e pubc ecds nd pubc

nmn ee mnm cs uness ewse speccy pvded by w. as used een, ‘mnm cs’ s men e c-u cs epducng e pubc ecd pubc nmn.

amng e ecen, sgncn cnges e pvsns denngpcu cmn nmn s pubc nmn; pbngns skng equese w pupse e seeks ecd; e-quemen pubc gences pvde ccess nn-cnden n-mn my be cmmnged w cnden d; eque-men gences mnn ndexes e dbses; nwedenn “cu cs” pducng pubc ecd; nd beejudc emedes vns e w.

te pncp pubc supp e pecn nd mpvemen e open Meengs lw nd e Pubc recds lw n ecen yess been pvded by e N Cn Pess asscn nd e

N Cn asscn Bdcses. te N Cnlegue Muncpes, e N Cn asscn Cuny Cmmssnes, nd e N Cn hsp asscn epe-edy ppse mesues sengen e open Meengs lw nd Pub-c recds lw.

in 2004 nd 2005, e N Cn ppee cus ued gvenmen gences my n use ee e Pubc recds lw e open Meengs lw s swd by sung pve czens de-cy judgmen esve dspues ve e ppe nepen e w. te cus ed b sues wee enced ebene e pubc nd wng gvenmen bdes suewud dscuge czens m seekng ccess ecds nd mee-ngs nd peve e pupses e sues. McCormick v. Hanson Ag-gregates Southeast Inc., 164 N.C. app. 459, 596 S.E.2d 431. cert. denied and appeal dismissed, 359 N.C. 69, 603 S.E.2d 131 (2004). See also Cityo Burlington v. Boney Publishers Inc., 166 N.C. app. 186, 600 S.E.2d872 (2004), disc. rev. improvidently allowed , 359 N.C. 422, 611 S.E.2d833 (2005).

aney Gene ry Cpe eceny pubsed Guide to OpenGovernment and Public Records (“aG Guide”), n wc e summzesnd eees e bsc pncpes pen gvenmen suc s esng peeence nepe n v penness.

open recds

i. StatUtE -- BaSiC aPPliCatioN

a. W cn eques ecds?

1. Sus eques.

te Pubc recds lw pvdes, n G.S. § 132-6, pubc e-cds my be equesed by “ny pesn.” te N Cn Pess asscn s n we ny ccess pbems sng u e c-zensp esdency pesn equesng ccess, nd e aG Guide cnms “ny pesn s g nspec, exmne nd ge cp-es pubc ecds.”

2. Pupse eques.

te equese’s pupse s eevn, nd pubc cs e p-bed m nqung bu . G.S. § 132-6(b).

3. Use ecds.

Geney, N Cn w mkes n escns n e use pubc ecds. te ny excepn s equese gegp-c nmn sysem my be equed gee e w n ese use cpes “de cmmec pupses.” G.S. § 132-10.

B. Wse ecds e nd e n subjec e c?

on s ce, e Pubc recds lw des n excude ny gency gvenmen. hweve, e Pubc recds lw mus be ed n cn- juncn w e sues nd n g cu decsns nd pn-ns ssued by e aney Gene.

1. Execuve bnc.

. recds e execuves emseves.

recds e gven nd e execuve bnc cs ecveed by e w, nd ee ppe be n sues cu de-csns cne ny spec “execuve pvege.” Gvens vesseed sme e ecds, suc s se cmped n cnnec-n w e execse e cemency pwe, e beynd e ec e Pubc recds lw, nd e Cu appes und suc ecds

usde e ec e Pubc recds lw. News & Observer Pub. Co.v. Easley, 182 N.C. app. 14, 641 S.E.2d 698 (2007).

b. recds cen bu n uncns.

in 1987, e N Cn Pubc recds lw ws mended pvde pubc ecds eng e ppsed expnsn -cn specc busness ndus pjecs n e se my be wed “s ng s e nspecn, exmnn cpyng wuduse e pupse wc suc pubc ecds wee ceed . . .”G.S. § 132-6(d). ts mendmen, wc ws enced peven eses m nspecng N Cn’s ppss cncenng sevempn scenc pjecs, des n exemp ese ecds m ew, bu des pem em be wed m pubc scuny em-py.

2. legsve bdes. Ms ecds egsve bdes e cveed by e w, bu sep-

e sue ws egss mnn e cndeny eequess e egsve s nmn dng sssnce.G.S. § 120-129. te aney Gene s pned cespn-dence sen egss by e cnsuens s pubc.

3. Cus.

Cu ecds e cveed by e w. G.S. § 7a-109(). Virmani v. Presbyterian Health Services Corp., 350 N.C. 449, 515 S.E.2d 675(1999); France v. France, _ N.C. app. _, 705 S.E.2d 399 (2011). re-cds juvene pceedngs, weve, e excuded. G.S. § 7B-2901. addny, e cnens w pced n e w e cek





supe cu n N Cn cuny s n pubc ecd pen nspecn un e w s eed pbe. G.S. § 31-11. a wen pe-senence ep nd e ecd n pe-senenceep e n pubc ecds nd my n be mde vbe ny pesn excep s pvded n s secn. G.S. § 15a-1333.

4. Nngvenmen bdes.

. Bdes ecevng pubc unds benefs.

te N Cn Pubc recds lw cves ecds eng

“e nscn pubc busness by ny gency N C-n gvenmen s subdvsns.” aug “gency” s bdy dened, e w des n umcy ec nngvenmen bd-es meey becuse ey eceve pubc unds benes. in 2007, eegsue egnzed nd ecded e ws eed nn-seenes ecevng se unds. Suc gnzns e subjec evew by e Se aud. G.S. 143C-6-23.

i cy cuny gns $1,000 me n ny sc ye nn-p cpn gnzn, e cy cuny my eque e nnp ve n ud pemed e sc ye n wc eunds e eceved nd my eque e nnp cpn gnzn e cpy e ud ep w e cy cuny. any nnp cpn gnzn eceves $1,000 me nse unds s, e eques e Se aud, subm n ud by e ce e Se aud e sc ye n wc suc unds

wee eceved. Evey nnp cpn gnzn wc sn ud pemed pusun s secn mus e cpy eud ep w e ce e Se aud. G.S. § 159-40.

b. Bdes wse membes ncude gvenmenfcs.

Becuse e N Cn Pubc recds lw cves ny e-cds mde eceved “n cnnecn w e nscn pub-c busness,” des n cve ecds “nngvenmen gups”geney.

5. Mu-se egn bdes.

Becuse e w cves ecds mde eceved “n cnnecn w e nscn pubc busness,” wud cve ecds e-ng muse egn bdes N Cn pubc cs

e membes.

6. advsy bds nd cmmssns, qus-gvenmen enes.

te ecds dvsy bds nd cmmssns e cveed.

C. W ecds e nd e n subjec e c?

1. W knd ecds e cveed?

te Pubc recds lw cves “ ecds . . . mde ecevedpusun w dnnce n cnnecn w e nscn pubc busness . . .” G. S. § 132-6(). Cus ve ed e pse“mde eceved pusun w dnnce n cnnecn we nscn pubc busness” ncudes, n ddn se e-cds equed be kep by w, ecds e n c kep by

pubc c gency n cyng u e gency’s wu dues. News and Observer Publishing Company v. Wake County Hospital System,55 N.C. app. 1, 13, 284 S.E.2d 542, 549 (1981), cert. denied , 305 N.C.302, 291 S.E.2d 151, cert. denied , 459 U.S. 803, 103 S. C. 26, 74 l.Ed. 2d 42 (1982); 1996 Wl 925098 (N.C.a.G.); 1996 Wl 925156(N.C.a.G.). te aG’s ecen gude pen gvenmen cnns nmn s: “Pubc ecds s ncude mes gv-enmen gences mke cec e dscen n cyng ngvenmen busness.”

in Advance Publications v. City o Elizabeth City, 53 N.C. app 504,506, 281 S.E.2d 69, 70 (1981), e N Cn Cu appesed e N Cn Pubc recds lw s be bey cnsued n v pubc ccess. in N.C. Press Association v. Span-

gler , 87 N.C. app. 169, 360 S.E.2d 138 (1987), e cu eps cmped by cnces 15 cnsuen cmpusee Unvesy N Cn sysem cncenng necegecs wee subjec e Pubc recds lw, despe e dedns’ cms e eps wee “ds” “wkng ppes.” tCu appes dsmssed deendns’ ppe s m. te NCn Supeme Cu eced e sme esu n News and ObsePublishing Co. v. Poole, 330 N.C. 465, 484, 412 S.E.2d 7 (1992), ng “ou sue cnns n debeve pcess pvege excn.” tw cus ve pped e ungs Spangler nd P

Piedmont Pub. Co. v. Surry County Board o Commissioners , 24 Medrep. (BNa) 1371 (N.C. Sup. C. 1995); Durham Public Schools Bd Educ. v. Bussian, Cse N. 94 CVS 484, unpubsed pnn (DuC. Sup. C. Feb. 18, 1994). te Cu appes wen s d e wkng ppes pubc ney be pubc ecde bsence specc exempn. McCormick v. Hanson AggregSoutheast Inc., 164 N.C. app. 459, 596 S.E.2d 431. cert. denied and peal dismissed, 359 N.C. 69, 603 S.E.2d 131 (2004). (Snce Hansonexempn pepns s been enced. G.S. § 132-1.9

as ned bve, numeus gvenmen ecds cy subjece Pubc recds lw e exemped m dscsue by e sues. Sme exmpes ncude:

Dve cense nd umbe egsn ecds. as mndede ede Dve’s Pvcy Pecn ac (18 U.S.C. § § 2721-27

N Cn enced G.S. § 20-43.1, wc pbs e ee pesn nmn egdng dve’s censes nd umegsns n e bsence wen cnsen. Sc secuy nubes pvded n bnng dve’s censes nd egsns e mes pubc ecd. G.S. § 20-7 nd G.S. § 20-52. in ddw encemen gens, irS gens nd pubc cs my ppypve egsn gs be ssued wee e ppcn pvdesmn esbsng need n e bss pesn sey. tepcn nd egsn e cnden. G.S. § 20-56.

recds eng busness cves e se-wned NCn rd. G.S. § 124-3.

Numeus e exmpes e sed n Secn ii(B), bew.

2. W pysc m ecds e cveed?

te Pubc recds lw denes “pubc ecds” s ncudng“dcumens, ppes, ees, mps, bks, pgps, ms, secdngs, mgnec e pes, eecnc d-pcessngcds, cs, e dcumeny me, regardless o phy orm or characteristics . . .” G.S. § 132-1. Pesns equesng cpepubc ecds my eec bn em n ny nd med n we pubc gency s cpbe pvdng em. G.S. § 132-6.2.

3. ae cen ecds vbe nspecn bu cpyng?

W ne excepn, pubc ecds e subjec b nspn nd cpyng. G.S. § 132-6. Fwng e g pe deDe End, nd be pgps m s upsy, psy pgps nd ud/vde ecdngs my be nspeced n cped. G.S. 130a-389.1.

D. Fee pvsns pcces.1. leves mns n ees.

Excep s ewse pvded by w, pubc gency my cny e cu cs mkng cpy. “acu cs” s dened s “ec, cgebe css eed e epducn pubc ec. . . nd des n ncude css wud ve been ncued by pubc gency eques . . . d n been mde.” G.S. § 132-6.2in pcce, mny pubc gences d n cge cpes mdeespnse une equess.

2. Pcu ee specfcns pvsns.

Seve sues x e ees cpes specc ypes ecF exmpe, G.S. § 20-26 ses e ee cpy dve ce





ecd $8.00 ($11.00 e cpy s ceed). G.S. § 7a-308(12)eques ceks cu cge $2.00 e s pge cpy nd25 cens ec ddn pge. G.S. § 58-6-5(3) ses e ee cp-es Depmen insunce ecds 50 cens pe pge. anyneequesng cpes pubc ecds sud vey n dvnce w eese gency pvdng e cpes ppses cge em.

. Sec.

i pducng ecd eques “exensve use nmn ec-ngy esuces” exensve cec supevsy sssnce, e

gency my cge esnbe sevce cge bsed n e cu cs ncued. G.S. § 132-6.2(b). addny, pubc gency gees,s sevce e equese, cee cmpe ecd, my nege esnbe cge e sevce w e equese. G.S.§ 132-6.2(e).

b. Dupcn.

ony cu css cn be cged. G.S. § 132-6.2(b)

3. Pvsns ee wves.

tee e n pvsns ee wves, bu s ned n SecnD(1), mny gences d n eque pymen ees une cpes.

4. requemens pbns egdng dvncepymen.

tee e n equemens pbns egdng dvnce py-men cpes.

5. hve gences mpsed pbve ees dscuge equeses?

Sme gences ve emped mpse pbve ees ds-cuge equeses, bu ese es ve been e nd ue. inNews & Observer v. Johnston County, Cse N. 95-CVS-1671, Jn-sn C. Sup. C. (1995), e News & Observer mde eques neecnc cpy e ecds mnned by e regse Deedsusng swe deveped by n usde vend. te vend pvdedn eecnc cpy e ecd nd emped cge e News & Observer $5,180.00, pupedy epesenng e cs emvnge ppey swe m e w d. ae engs n cssmns summy judgmen, e cse ws esved by cnsen de unde wc e vend geed “we, nd ns n ne e pubc ccess emns n e Jnsn Cuny regse Deeds’ce, ‘dwnd pgm’ w pvde e pubc e by cpy e regse Deeds’ eecnc ecds,” nd “JnsnCuny regse Deeds w pvde bnk cmpue dsks epubc pucse mkng cpes nd e Jnsn Cuny reg-se Deeds s n cge e pubc me n s cu cs pvdng e dsks.” a 1999 pubc ecds ud cnduced jny by e N Cn Pess asscn nd e assced Pess NewsCunc eveed ms pubc gences e cgng nmn ees n ee e pducn pubc ecds.

E. W ences e c?

N Cn’s Pubc recds lw s enced ms excusvey ug cv sus nsued by pve czens med gnz-

ns.

1. aney Gene’s e.

in espnse equess m pubc cs, e aney Genessues pnns nepeng e w; ewse, e aney Genepys vey med e n encng e Pubc recds lw.

2. avby n mbudsmn.

tee s n mbudsmn, bu “[] nyne equesng pubc n-mn m ny pubc gency s cged ee e equese be-eves be un unesnbe, e equese my sk e SeCe inmn oce s desgnee mede e dspue.”G.S. 132-6.2(b).

3. Cmmssn gency encemen.

Nne.

F. ae ee sncns nncmpnce?

N, excep equese w pevs n cv su bug pu-sun e Pubc recds lw my seek n wd ney ees. te sue s been mended mke n wd ney ees py wnnng ccess vuy mndy. te cu “s” wdees uness e nncmpn pubc gency ws wng judgmen

de cu, pubsed ppee pnn, wen pnnm e aney Gene. G.S. § 132-9(c).

ii. EXEMPtioNS aND othEr lEGal liMitatioNS

a. Exempns n e pen ecds sue.

1. Cce exempns.

. Gene specfc?

Ms e exempns m e Pubc recds lw e n se u n e Pubc recds lw se bu e spnked ug eN Cn Gene Sues. F exmpes, see Secn ii.B, be-w.

b. Mndy dsceny?

Sme exempns, suc s se pecng x nmn ndde seces, e mndy. oes, ncudng e exempn pveged cmmuncns m n ney, e dsceny.

c. Pened e ede Feedm inmn ac?

te exempns e Pubc recds lw e n pened ee ede Feedm inmn ac.

2. Dscussn ec exempn.

a ew exempns e se u n e ex e Pubc recds lw.

one exempn cves wen cmmuncns m n ney cng wn e scpe e ney-cen pvege. G.S. § 132-1.1(). te exempn cves ny cmmuncns rom e ney to e pubc bdy, n vce ves. Even en, suc cmmuncns eexcuded m e cvege e w ny ped ee yes,e wc ey becme pubc ecds.

a secnd exempn cves se nd c x nmn, wcmy n be dscsed excep n med ccumsnces se u n ese x cde. G.S. § 132-1.1(b)

te w s exemps “Pubc Enepse Bng inmn,” wc ncudes e bs eecc pwe nd e pubc uessen cnsumes by cunes nd muncpes pvde sucsevces e czens. G.S. § 132-1.1(c).

G.S. § 132-1.1(d) exemps e ddesses nd eepne numbes pesns ened n pgm pec e cndeny e-ced vcm dmesc vence, sexu ense skng.

G.S. § 132-1.1(e) exemps nmn cnned n e se’s Cn-ed Subsnces repng Sysem.

G.S. § 132-1.1() exemps pesny denbe dmssns n-mn e Unvesy N Cn nd s cnsuen ns-uns.

G.S. § 132-1.2(1) exemp nmn wc: (1) cnsues “desece” s dened n G.S. § 66-152(3); (2) s e ppey pve“pesn” s dened n G.S. § 66-152(2); (3) s dscsed unsed e pubc gency n cnnecn w e wne’s pemnce pubc cnc n cnnecn w bd, ppcn, pps, n-dus devepmen pjec, n cmpnce w ws, eguns,ues, dnnces e Uned Ses, e se, pc subdv-sns e se nd (4) s desgned ndced s “cnden”





s “de sece” e me s n dscsue e pubcgency. Ne all our ce mus be me n de dcumen be wed wuy.

G.S. § 132-1.2(2) exemps ccun numbes eecnc py-mens.

G.S. § 132-1.2(3) exemps dcumen, e numbe, psswdsmnned by e Secey Se.

G.S. § 132-1.2(4) exemps eecncy cpue mges n nd-

vdu’s sgnue, de b, dve’s cense numbe sc secu-y numbe.

G.S. § 132-1.2(5) exemps e se cen censed pessns.

te Pubc recds lw s pvdes pubc ecds eng e expnsn cn specc busness ndus pjecs“my be wed s ng s e nspecn, exmnn cpyng wud use e pupse wc suc pubc ecds wee ce-ed.” G.S. § 132-6(d). te secn e w seng u s exemp-n ncudes deed pvsns s wen suc nmn mus beeesed. ts exempn des n pec ecds eng geneecnmc pces cves.

te Pubc recds lw pvdes n exempn cen ecds cmn nvesgns cnduced by w encemen gences ecds cmn negence nmn cmped by pubc w encemen gences. G.S. § 132-1.4.

G.S. § 132-1.6 exemps emegency espnse pns UNC, cm-muny ceges pubc sps.

G.S. § 132-1.7 exemps cen emegency secuy pns.

G.S. § 132-1.8 exemps pgps nd ud vde ecdngsmde pusun n upsy.

G.S. § 132-1.9 exemps cen pepn mes (e- wse knwn s gn wk pduc).

G.S. § 132-1.10 exemps sc secuy numbes nd e den-yng nmn bu s pus mns n wen suc nmnmy be ceced.

G.S. § 132-1.11 empy exemps cen nmn bu

ecnmc devepmen ncenves.G.S. § 132-1.12 exemps denyng nmn bu mns p-

cpng n c gvenmen pks nd ecen pgms.

Sme e pvsns e Pubc recds lw cee ex-empns mns n specc ypes ecds e dscussed nSecns ii(E) nd iV, bew.

B. oe suy excusns.

Sme e me sgncn excusns m e Pubc recdslw e se u n e sues ncude e wng:

1. Adoption. a ecds ceed ed n cnnecn w n dp-n, excep e decee dpn nd e eny n e spec p-ceedngs ndex n e ce e cek cu, nd n e w ne pssessn e cu, n gency, e se, cuny, n ney,

e pvde pessn sevces, e cnden nd my n be dscsed used excep s pvded n s Cpe. G.S. §48-9-102. te depmen s ensue e cmn ses pspecve dpve pens seekng dp mn w s n ecusdy pcemen espnsby cuny depmen scsevces e cecked p pcemen, bu suc eps e n pub-c ecds. G.S. § 48-3-309.

2. Adult Care Homes . Cmpns eng du ce mes ed w e Depmen humn resuces e cnden, s e esden ecds nspeced by e depmen. G.S. § 131D-27.

3. Agriculture. te N Cn Depmen agcuue sequed cmpe ssc d eng gcuue, bu suc

d s cssed s s peven e dencn d ecem ndvdu m pes. G.S. §§ 106-24 nd 106.24.1.

4. Amusements . te N Cn Cmmssne lb squed by w nspec, nd cey e sey , cnv des sm musemen devces. a nmn eped e cmmsne n cnnecn w ese dues cnsues de seccnden. G.S. § 95-111.17. See also G.S. § 132-1.2

5. Antireeze. a semens unsed e Cmmssne acuue n cnnecn w n ppcn cense pem

neeze, sng e cnens, mus de seces, e peged nd cnden. G.S. § 106-579.11.

6. Archaeological resources protection. inmn egdng cgc esuces, suc s indn munds nd pen cegses, my be mde vbe e pubc uness e Secey Cu resuces deemnes suc dscsue wud cee sm suc esuces ses. G.S. § 70-18.

7. Audit inormation. aud eps ssued by e Se audpubc ecds, bu ud wk ppes e cnden. G.S. § 164.6(d). aud eps e Depmen he nd humn S vces e pubc ecds, ug nen wk ppes e n. G.143B-216.51.

8. Autopsy Photos . Eecve Dec. 1, 2005, pgps nd vdeud ecdngs mde n e cuse mndy upsy e s jec nspecn, bu cpes my be bned ny by w enmen cs, dsc neys nd es, suc s medc esees, deemed ve spec need use em. te sue, G.130a-389.1, pvdes nyne dened cpy suc pg ecdngs my nsue spec judc pceedng nd mywed bn cpes upn swng gd cuse.

9. Bail bondsmen and runners . a s suey bndsmen nd nes ppned by nsues s be unsed e Cmmssneinsunce nnuy. in e even emnn suey bndsmn nsue mus e wen nce w e cmmssne sngesns, ny, e emnn. ts nmn s be peged nd s n be used s evdence ny cn gns nsu s epesenves. G.S. § 58-71-115; G.S. § 58-71-125.

10. Common Carriage Shipments . i s unwu ny cmmn

e s gens engged n nse cmmece dscse nymn eng e nue ppey deveed e cmmce, wu e cnsen suc sppe, e nmn cbe used by cmpe e demen e sppe. G.S. § 324().

11. Inormation Concerning Illegitimate Children. N dsc nney--w ppned sss dsc ney, ny genempyee suc, s dscse ny nmn eng n gme cd, s e pens, uness suc dscsue s deemnecessy by e dsc ney n e pemnce s duG.S. § 15-155.3.

12. Formulas or Commercial Feed . te muns cmmeeeds, wc mus be ed w e Depmen agcuue, eed s de seces. any pesn w dscses pesns

n uzed pesns ny nmn cncenng suc muns s guy msdemen. G.S. § 106-284.44().

13. Commitment Records . recds cmmmen engs e cden, nd nvuny cmmmen engs e be csede pubc uness e espnden equess ewse. G.S. § 122C-2G.S. § 122C-267().

14. Competency Evaluations . in cv cmpeency pceedng, cek cu my de mudscpny evun e espden. Suc evuns e n pubc ecds, nd cn be eesed by de e cek. G.S. § 35a-1111. in cmn pceedngs, ep mde e cu cncenng deendn’s cpcy s s n pubc ecd uness s nduced n evdence. G§ 15a-1002(d).





15. Controlled Substances — Treatment and Rehabilitation Services .Medc nd e censed pcnes my n dvuge e nme ny pesn w equess emen nd ebn dug de-pendence ny w encemen gen, n s suc nmn beused s evdence n cu uness uzed by e pesn seekng eemen. G.S. § 90-109.1().

16. Controlled Substances - resec. te Depmen humnresuces my wd e nmes ny pesns w e e sub-jecs esec n e use nd eecs cned subsnces. G.S.

§ 90-113.3(e).17. Corporations — Inormation disclosed by interrogatories . te N

Cn Busness Cpn ac (Cpe 55 e Gene S-ues), e Nn-P Cpn ac (Cpe 55a e GeneSues) nd e lmed lby Cmpny ac (Cpe 57 eGene Sues) uze e Secey Se ppund “ne-ges” ny cpn n de deemne wee s sub-jec e ac. te Secey my dscse nee e negesn e nswes uness ey e equed evdence n n cn by e se. G.S. § 55-1-33; G.S. § 55a-1-33; G.S. § 57-1-33.

18. Credit Unions . Vus nmn cmped by nd eped e admns Ced Unns — ncudng ecds u-ds nd exmnns, ecds dscse e nmes bwesnd ecds ced unn membes w dge cmpns w eadmns — s cnden. G.S. § 54-109.105. hweve, e n-mn cnned n n ppcn new ced unn s pubcnmn. G.S. § 54-109.105(c). N nmn cncenng epve busness nd s n ndvdu s be dscsed by ny pesn empyed by ced unn. G.S. § 54-109.105(d).

19. Dairy Farms . Cen ypes nmn pvded eSuen Dy Cmpc Cmmssn by mk pduces s cn-den nd cnn be dscsed excep n n dmnsve judcpceedng ence e cmpc. G.S. § 106-810.

20. Dental Peer Review Committees . a pceedngs nd ecds den evew cmmee s be ed n cndence, excep seeng Medce nd Medcd cges pymens. G.S. § 90-48.10.

21. DNA. DNa pes nd smpes submed e SBi DNa

Dbse nd Dbnk e n pubc ecds. G.S. § 15a-266.12.22. Elevators . any nmn bned by e Cmmssne

lb n cnnecn w e nspecn nd supevsn eevs cnns de sece s be deemed cnden, excep eexen dscsue s necessy n cyng u e Cmmssne’sdues. G.S. § 95-110.14.

23. Emergency Response Plans . Emegency espnse pns dpedby cnsuen nsun te Unvesy N Cn, cmmuny cege, pubc sp e n pubc ecds. G.S.§ 132-1.6.

24. Employment Security Records . any nmn supped eEmpymen Secuy Cmmssn by n empye n ndvdun ngs equed by sue s be ed cnden nd s n be

dscsed e pubc. lkewse, nmn bned by e NCn Se Empymen Sevce Dvsn m wkes, empy-es, ppcns, e pesns gups pesns n e cuse dmnseng e Se Pubc Empymen Sevce Pgm spveged, nd n subjec pubc dscsue. G.S. § 96-4(). teCmmssn s uns e Se Cne ny nmn eSe cne needs pepe nd pubs cmpeensve n-nu nnc ep e se. G.S. § 96-4()(1)(v). inmnbned by e ESC denyng pcpns n jb nng, educ-n pcemen pgms s cnden. G.S. § 96-32.

25. Energy Data. te Depmen admnsn, wc s u-zed bn enegy d suc s wese suppes pe-eum pducs, s equed keep cnden ny ndvdu ecd

cnnng enegy d bu pesn nd ny suc d s n besubjec pubc dscsue. G.S. § 143-345.14().

26. Escheats . Lists o Owners. te Se tesue s equed de-ve ec cek cu, p Nvembe 1 ec ye, s esceed nd bndned ppey. te suppng d nd denes ppen wnes esceed nd bndned ppey my emncnden sx mns. hweve, nmn my be dscsed wnes eped ppey equesng nmn bu eppey. G.S. § 116B-62(). Records o Abandoned Property. te Se

tesue s uzed exmne e ecds nsues, bnks nde des esceed nd bndned ppey. Dcumens nd wkng ppes bned ceed n cnnecn w e exmn-n ecds bndned ppey s be cnsdeed cndennd n vbe e pubc. G.S. § 116B-72.

27. Expunged Records . i n expuncn s gned, c ecdse emved m pubc es. G.S. § 15a-146; G.S. § 90-96; G.S. §90-113.14 (dug cges); G.S. § 15a-145 (s endes). a pesnened expungemen my bn n de equng e SBi emve s e DNa ecd m e Se DNa Dbnk. G.S.§ 15a-146(b)(1) nd (2).

28. Fertilizer . Sees cmmec ezes e equed u-ns e Cmmssne agcuue w wen semen ennge ec gde eze sd n e se. Suc semense n pubc ecds. G.S. § 106-677.

29. Fires and Fire Protection — Inormation About Suspicious Fires and Arson Investigations . Fe nsunce cmpnes e equed by w pvde nmn bu suspcus es e ces, e mss, e SBi. any c w eceves suc nmn s d snmn nd keep cnden un suc me s e nmns equed cmn cv pceedng. G.S. § 58-79-40. tew s pvdes ecds e oce insunce Cmms-sne eed e nvesgn suspeced sn e n pubcecds nd my be mde vbe e pubc ny upn n de cu cmpeen jusdcn. G.S. § 58-2-100. Fe ncden e-ps cmped by c e ces nd e mss e pubc ecds,weve. G.S. § 58-79-45.

30. Forest Products . in de cec ssessmens eved gns epcesss es pducs, e Depmen revenue s pem-ed evew pducn ecds suc cmpnes. any pesn wdscses nmn m pducn ep, excep s necessy cecn, s be guy msdemen punsbe by nen exceed y ds ($50.00) G.S. § 113a-195().

31. General Assembly Records . te wng e cnden nd n subjec pubc dscsue: (1) dng eques mde egs-ve empyee m egs; (2) n nmn eques mde egsve empyee m egs; (3) ny suppng dcumen submed cused be submed egsve empyee by eg-s n cnnecn w dng nmn eques; (4) dcu-mens peped by egsve empyees upn eques egss;nd (5) eques m e Fsc resec Dvsn n cnnecn w pepn sc ne. G.S. § § 120-130; 120-131; 120-131.1.

32. Geologists . te N Cn Bd lcensng Ge-gss s e s cnden nd n subjec pubc dscsuendvdu es sces nd ppcns nd me eng ee,ncudng ees eeence eng n ppcn. G.S. § 89E-14(c).

33. Grand Juries — Secrecy o Proceedings . — Gnd juy pceedngse sece nd, excep s expessy pvded by w, membes e gnd juy nd pesns pesen dung s sessns s keep sseces nd en m dscsng nyng wc nspes dungny s sessns. G.S. § 15a-623(e).

34. Grand Juries — Bills o Indictment . a pesdng judge my dec b ndcmen be kep sece un deendn s esed ppes bee e cu. te cek mus se e b ndcmen





nd n pesn, ncudng wness, my dscse e b ndcmen, e pceedngs edng e ndng, excep wen necessy e ssunce nd execun n de es. G.S. § 15a-623().

35. Health and Medical Records . a pveged pen medc ecdsn e pssessn e Depmen humn resuces ce depmens s be cnden nd e n vbe epubc. G.S. § 130a-12. a medc ecds n cnnecn w d-mssn, emen nd dscge cmped nd mnned by ece ces e n pubc ecds. ts s encmpsses pen

cges, ccuns, ced ses nd e pesn nnc ecdsn e ce cy’s pssessn. G.S. § 131E-97. Medc ecds ndvdu pens s be cnden nd s n be pubcy dscsed uness uzed by e pen bona fde esec pu-pses. G.S. § 130a-374(). te Se Cene he Sscs sequed ke pppe mesues pec e secuy ed ceced by e cene devepng sysem mnng secu-y. G.S. § 130a-374(b).

36. Health Care Records o Teachers and Other State Employees . any medc nd cms nmn n e pssessn e execuvedmns nd e Bd tusees e teces’ nd SeEmpyees’ Cmpeensve Mj Medc Pn s cms pces-s s be cnden nd exemp m pubc dscsue. G.S. §135-37.

37. Health Maintenance Organizations . D nmn pen-ng e dgnss, emen, e n enee ppcn e mnennce gnzn bned m suc pesn by egnzn s be ed n cndence nd s n be dscsed ny pesn excep e exen equed by w, upn e expesscnsen e enee ppcn, n e even cm g-n beween suc pesn e mnennce gnzn weensuc d nmn e penen. G.S. § 58-67-180.

38. Competitive Health Care Inormation. inmn eng cmpeve e ce cves by n be pubc e u-es nd pubc sps s be cnden nd n pubcecd, bu ny cnc eneed n by n be pubc euy pubc sp s be pubc ecd uness ewseexemped by w. G.S. § 130a-45.11; G.S. § 131E-97.3. te nncems nd e cmpeve e ce nmn decy eed

e nnc ems n e ce sevces cnc beween s-p medc sc nd mnged ce gnzn, nsuncecmpny, empye, e pye s cnden nd n pubcecd unde Cpe 132 e Gene Sues. G.S. § 131E-99.

39. Hospice Patient Records . te Depmen humn resuces spbed m dscsng ny cnden pveged nmnbned m evew e ecds spce pen uness epen s eg epesenve uzes suc dscsue. G.S. §131E-207.

40. Industrial Commission. recds e indus Cmmssn, wc djudces wke cmpensn cms, e geney cn-den e n wds mde by ndvdu cmmssnes nd e- vews wds by e u cmmssn. G.S. § 97-84; G.S. § 97-85;G.S. § 97-92.

41. Inspections o Regulated Facilities . Mny ecds eed nspec-ns gvenmen-egued ces e exemp m e Pubcrecds lw, e.g., men e ces (G.S. § 122C-25); sps(G.S. § 131E-80); nusng mes (G.S. § 131E-105); me ce gen-ces (G.S. § 131E-141); mbuy sugc ces (G.S. § 131E-150); cdc ebn pgms (G.S. § 131E-170); we nd cndn nspecns (G.S. § 143-215.19); c cnnemen ces(G.S. § 153a-222).

42. Juvenile Records — Cases Alleging Abuse, Neglect or Dependency.Cu ecds n juvene cses egng buse, negec dependency e n subjec pubc nspecn nd my be exmned n e b-sence cu de ny by e juvene, s pen, gudn, cus-dn, e uzed epesenve. G.S. § 7B-2901().

43. Juvenile Records — Juveniles Under Protective Custody o the partment o Social Services . recds n cses juvenes unde pve cusdy e Depmen Sc Sevces e n subjecpubc nspecn; n e bsence cu de, ey my be mned ny by e juvene by s e gudn ad litem. G.7B-2901(b). hweve, cen ecds eng e y ny juvene my be eesed. G.S. § 7B-2902.

44. Juvenile Records — Delinquent and Undisciplined Juveniles . Cecds n juvene cses egng denquency e n subjec pu

nspecn; n e bsence cu de ey my be exmned by e juvene; e juvene’s pen, gudn, cusdn, ezed epesenve; e psecu; nd cu cunses. G.7B-3000.

45. Juvenile Records — Court Counselors’ Records and Law Enorcem Records . Juvene ecds mnned by cu cunses nd w cemen cs e n subjec pubc nspecn; n e bse cu de ey my be exmned ny by e juvene; e june’s pen, gudn, cusdn, e uzed epesene dsc ney psecu; cu cunses; nd w enmen ces. G.S. § 7B-3001.

46. Library User Records . Excep pusun subpen, cu s ewse equed by w, upn wen cnsen e use esnby necessy e pen e by, by ec deny pesns w ve equesed specc mes, nmn, sevces, s ewse vng used e by, my ndscsed. G.S. § 125-19.

47. Licensure Records .

Certifed Public Accountants. recds cnnng nmn eced cmped by e Bd Ceed Pubc accunn mnes s esu cmpn, nvesgn, nquy, nevn cnnecn w n ppcn exmnn, cecnegsn, n cnnecn w cece de’s pessecs nd cnduc, e n pubc ecds. any nce sem cges gns cece de ppcn, ny nce cece de ppcn eng be ed by e bdpubc ecd, even ug my cnn nmn ceced cmped s esu cmpn, nvesgn, nquy, nevcnduced by e bd. i ny ecd cnnng nmn ced nd cmped by e bd s dmed n evdence n eed by e bd, s pubc ecd. G.S. § 93-12.2.

Dental Licensing Board. recds cnnng nmn cec cmped by e N Cn Se Bd Den Exmns esu nvesgns cnduced n cnnecn w cens dscpny me e n pubc ecds. hweve, ny ncsemen cges gns ny censee, ny nce ny cen eng n ny pceedng, s pubc ecd, nwsnd my cnn nmn ceced nd cmped s esuny nvesgn, nquy, nevew. i ny dcumen cnnnmn ceced nd cmped by e bd s eceved ndmed n evdence n ny eng bee e bd, s en pubc ecd. G.S. § 90-41(g).

Medical Review Committees. te pceedngs medc evcmmee, nd e ecds nd mes pduces nd cnsde cnden. Suc ecds e n subjec dscvey nducn n evdence n ny cv cn gns sp pv pessn e sevces wc esus m mes wce subjec evun evew by e cmmee. N pesn w ws n endnce meeng e cmmee cn be equeesy ny cv cn s ny evdence e mes pdu pesened dung e pceedngs e cmmee. a membee cmmee w eses n cv cn my n be sked bs esmny bee e cmmee ny pnns med s su e cmmee engs. G.S. § 131E-95. ts pvsn e e cu ccess cnvesy mde s wy N.C. Supeme Cu. Virmani v. Presbyterian Health Services Inc.,





N.C. 449, 515 S.E.2d 675, 27 Med l. rep. (BNa) 2537 (1999). a ssue ws e quesn wee e pubc s g ccess cv cu pceedngs nd ecds penng medc pee e-vew evuns. D. rn Vmn bug su gns Pesbyenhe Sevces Cpn wng e suspensn s med-c s pveges nd despe e pvsn pbng e use sevdence, s medc evew ecds wee eneed n e ecd ns wsu. te cu csed e cum dung esmny bu se ecds nd seed pn e e. te Supeme Cu uped cenge se seng des, ndng e cu

wuy csed e cum nd dd n ve ny bgn w e Charlotte Observer ’s eques nevene cenge e csue.See also, G.S. § 90-21.22a(c).

Pastoral Counselors. in ny pceedng ecd ny engbee e N Cn Se Bd Exmnes Fee-BsedPccng Ps Cunses nd n ny cmpn nce cges gns ny ceed ee-bsed ps cunse ceedee-bsed ps cunseng ssce nd n ny decsn endeedby e bd, e bd s endev wd m pubc dsc-sue e deny ny cunseees cens w ve n cnsened e pubc dscsue emen by e ceed ee-bsed ps- cunse ceed ee-bsed ps cunseng ssce. aecds cnnng nmn ceced nd cmped by e bds esu nvesgns cnduced n cnnecn w cecn dscpny mes e n pubc ecds. hweve, ny nce semen cges gns ny ceed ee-bsed ps cunse ceed ee-bsed ps cunseng ssce, ny nce ny ceed ee-bsed ps cunse ceed ee-bsed pscunseng ssce eng n ny pceedng, ny decsnendeed n cnnecn w eng n ny pceedng s pubcecd, excep denyng nmn cncenng e emen devey sevces cunseee cen w s n cnsened e pubc dscsue suc emen sevces my be deeed.any ecd cnnng nmn ceced nd cmped by nbe e bd s eceved nd dmed n evdence n ny eng bee e bd s pubc ecd, subjec ny deens denyng nmn cncenng e emen devey pscunseng sevces cunseee cen w s n cnsened pubc dscsue e emen sevces. G.S. § 90-390(c).

Physicians. a ecds cnnng nmn ceced nd cm-ped by e N Cn Medc Bd s esu nvesg-ns cnduced n cnnecn w censng dscpny mee n pubc ecds. any nce semen cges gns ny censee, ny nce ny censee eng n ny pceedngs pubc ecd, nwsndng my cnn nmnceced nd cmped s esu ny suc nvesgn, nquy nevew. i ny suc ecd cnnng nmn eee c-eced nd cmped by e bd s eceved nd dmed n evdencen ny eng bee e bd, s eeupn be pubc ecd.G.S. § 90-16. te Bd Medc Exmnes nd s membes nds my eese cnden nn-pubc nmn ny ece censng bd n s se ne se bu e ssunce,den, nnumen, suspensn evcn cense, e v-uny suende cense by bd-censed pyscn, ncudnge esns e cn, nvesgve ep mde by e bd.G.S. § 90-14(d).

Psychological Proessionals. te N Cn Psycgy Bdmy wd m pubc dscsue e deny ny cens pens w ve n cnsened e pubc dscsue psyc-gc sevces’ vng been pvded by e censee ppcn. aecds cnnng nmn ceced nd cmped by e bds esu nvesgns cnduced n cnnecn w censng dscpny mes e n pubc ecds. hweve, ny nce semen cges gns ny censee ppcn, ny nce ny censee ppcn eng n ny pceedng, ny decsn endeed n cnnecn w eng n ny pceedng,s pubc ecd, nwsndng my cnn nmnceced nd cmped s esu suc nvesgn, nquy,

eng excep denyng nmn cncenng e emen devey sevces pen cen w s n cnsened e pubc dscsue suc emen sevces my be deeed.i ny suc ecd cnnng nmn eee ceced ndcmped by e bd s eceved nd dmed n evdence n ny eng bee e bd, s eeupn be pubc ecd, subjec ny deens denyng nmn cncenng e emen devey psycgc sevces pen cen w s n cnsened e pubc dscsue suc emen sevces. G.S.§ 90-270.15(e).

Rerigeration Contractors. a ecds, ppes, nd e dcumenscnnng nmn ceced nd cmped by e Se Bd regen Cncs s esu nvesgns, nques, nevews cnduced n cnnecn w censng dscpny me, e cnden. G.S. § 87-59(e).

48. Medical Database Commission. te dbses cmped by eN Cn Medc Dbse Cmmssn e pubc ecds,bu e ecds pen nmn unsed e Cmmssnby sps nd e pvdes medc sevces, m wc edbses e cmped, e n pubc. G.S. § 131E-214.3.

49. Court records related to involuntary commitments o persons who arementally ill or substance abusers . — Cu ecds mde n pceed-ngs eed e nvuny cmmmen men e pens subsnce buses e cnden nd e n pen e genepubc. G.S. § 122C-207.

50. National Guard records . N ecds e Nn Gud n eDepmen Cme Cn nd Pubc Sey s be dscsed used ny pupse excep c pupses. G.S. § 127a-17.1.

51. Nursing Home Complaints . te denes pesns w ecmpns w e Depmen humn resuces eng nusng mes e cnden. G.S. § 131E-124(c).

52. Occupational Saety and Health Inspections . Trade secrets . inm-n eped ewse bned by e Cmmssne lb s gens epesenves n cnnecn w ny sey nspec-n pceedng wc mg eve de sece s be cnsd-eed cnden. G.S. § 95-152.

53. Pharmacy Records . Wen pescpn des n e n p-mcy e n pubc ecds nd e cnens my ny be dscsed (1) n du pen wm e pescpn ws ssued s eggudn, (2) n emncped mn pen wm e pescp-n ws deed s eg gudn, (3) pen pesn n loco parentis n unemncped mn pen wm e pescpn ws ssued, (4) e censed pcne w ssued e pescpn,(5) e censed pcne w s eng e pen wm epescpn ws ssued, (6) pmcs w pvdes pmceucsevces e pen wm e pescpn ws ssued. G.S. §90-85.36().

54. Porcine Animal Data. a buye pcne nms s keep e-cds e numbe pcne nms pucsed nd e de pu-csed. a nmn ecds egdng pucses pcnenms by ndvdu buyes s be kep cnden by empyees

gens e Depmen agcuue nd e N CnPk Pduces asscn, nd s n be dscsed excep by cu de. G.S. § 106-794(d).

55. Precious Metal Dealers . te es c w encemen gen-ces wc cnn cpes ecd bk enes pecus medees s n be subjec nspecn nd exmnn excep snecessy w encemen nvesgn cv cmn p-ceedngs. G.S. § 66-169.

56. Probation Records. Uness nd un ewse deed by judge e cu e Secey Cecn, nmn nd dbned n e dscge e c duy pbn ces be pveged nmn. G.S. § 15-207.





57. Public Assistance Records . inmn cncenng pesns ppy-ng ecevng pubc sssnce sc sevces my bedecy ndecy deved m e ecds, es cmmunc-ns e Depmen humn Sevces e cuny bds sc sevces, cuny depmens sc sevces cqued ne cuse pemng c dues e n pubc ecds. G.S. §108a-80().

58. Public Utility Inspection Data. Excep s e my be deced by e Ues Cmmssn by cu judge ee, n gen

empyee e ues cmmssn s knwngy nd wuy d- vuge ny c nmn wc my cme s knwedge du-ng e cuse ny exmnn nspecn mde pusun sdues. G.S. § 62-316.

59. Records Related to Participants in the Retirement System or Cit-ies and Counties . any Sc Secuy numbe, cuen nme nd d-dess, ny e nmn pvded e eemen sysem by bd, gency, depmen, nsun, subdvsn e ses be eed s cnden excep s my be necessy ny e membe, benecy, benecy e membe e gs nd ccus benes n e eemen sysem. G.S. § 128-28(q).

60. Records Related to Participants in the Retirement System or Teachers and State Employees . any Sc Secuy numbe, cuen nme ndddess, ny e nmn pvded e eemen sysemby bd, gency, depmen, nsun, subdvsn e ses be eed s cnden excep s my be necessy ny e membe, benecy, benecy e membe e gs nd ccus benes n e eemen sysem. G.S. § 135-6(p).

a 1979 aney Gene opnn ed “[]nmn cn-ned n e reemen Sysem ccun n ndvdu membe”cnsues pubc ecd nd ee s n suy exempn wud pem wdng e nmn.” 48 N.C. opp. ay.Gen. 129 (1979).

61. Savings and Loan Associations . te wng ecds nm-n e N Cn Bnkng Cmmssn, e Cmmssne Bnks e gen(s) ee s be cnden nd s n bedscsed excep pusun cu de:

(1) inmn bned cmped n pepn

ncpn , dung n exmnn, ud nvesg-n ny sscn;

(2) inmn efecng e specc ce gven by nmed bwe, e specc mun sck wned by nmed sckde, specc wdwbe ccuns edby nmed membe cusme;

(3) inmn bned, peped cmped dung s esu n exmnn, ud nvesgn ny sscn by n gency e Uned Ses, e ecds wud be cnden unde ede w egun;

(4) inmn nd eps submed by sscns ede eguy gences, e ecds nmn wud be cnden unde ede w egun;

(5) inmn nd ecds egdng cmpns me pubc eceved by e dvsn wc cncen ssc-ns wen e cmpn wud cud esu n n nves-gn, excep e mngemen se sscns;

(6) any e ees, eps, memnd, ecdngs,cs e dcumens ecds wc wud dscseny nmn wc dscsue s pbed bve.G.S. § 54B-63() nd (b).

te nmn cnned n n ppcn esbs svngs nd n sscn s be deemed be pub-c nmn. Dscsue s n exend e nncsemens e ncps n ny ue nm-

n deemed by e admns be cnden. G54B-63(c). Cmpnce evew dcumens n e cusdn sscn eguy gency e n pubc ecG.S. § 54B-63.1.

62. Savings Banks . te wng ecds e n pubc: (1) nvgy ud nmn, (2) nmn eed ce bwe, sck wned by sckde, sckde s, ps ccuns ed by membes cusmes; (3) cnden nmn submed ede eguy gences, nd (5) nm

egdng cmpns m e pubc cncenng svngs bnks we cmpn wud cud esu n n nvesgn, excep mngemen se svngs bnks; nd (6) ny e ees, epmemnd, ecdngs, cs e dcumens ecds wud dscse ny nmn wc dscsue s pbes subsecn. G.S. § 54C-60.

63. Sexual Predator Registry. te nme, sex, ddess, pysc scpn, pcue, cnvcn de, ense wc egsn equed, e senence mpsed s esu e cnvcn, nd sn sus djudced sexuy ven peds s pubccd. te se s eese ny e eevn nmn necessy pec e pubc cncenng specc pesn, bu sn eese e deny e vcm e ense equed sn. any pesn my bn cpy n ndvdu’s egsm, p e cuny egsy, e cuny egsy, by s

mng wen eques e nmn e se. hwee deny e vcm n ense eques egsn sn be eesed. te se my cge esnbe ee dupng css nd mng css wen pppe. G.S. § 14-208.G.S. § 14-208.10.

Juvenes und denquen s- nd secnd-degee pe u ense w wee es 11 yes d e me e ncdmy be equed egse s sexu ende e cu deeme juvene s dnge e cmmuny. te egsn s vbe w encemen gences. G.S. § 14-208.26; G.S. § 208.29.

64. Tax Inormation. i s unwu ny pesn wkng n ce e Secey revenue, c x ues nd mc x ues, w e Cmmssne insunce

vuge mke knwn n ny mnne e mun ncme, ncx e xes ny xpye, nmn eng eem wc e mun ncme, ncme x, e xes p mg be deemned, deduced, esmed. i s kewbe unwu eve wee n ny xpye s ed eund bsc, cmpe uns ny pesn, m cpn ewse ened, nmn eng e mun ncncme x, e xes xpye, s nmes, ddesSc Secuy numbes e pesn nmn cncensuc xpye. G.S. § 105-259. Cy nd cuny x ecds cn nmn bu xpye’s ncme eceps e n puecds. G.S. § 153a-148.1; § 160a-208.1

65. Tax Setos . te Se Deb Cecn ac, G.S. § 105a-pems e Secey revenue se gns ny x eund deb wed e se by e eund ecpen. a excnges n

mn mng e depmen, e cmn gency, nd e debnecessy ccmps s ce e wu. any pesn empby cmn gency w dscses ny nmn ny e ppse excep s wed by e ac s be penzed n ccdnce we ems e xpye cndeny sue, G.S. § 105-259.

66. Toxic substances . Emergency inormation — hzdus subsss, ed w e ces by empyes w se zdus wss be cnden nd s n be dscsed nyne e se w w ke pce n pe-pnnng emegency espnse. Spesns ecevng s nmn s n dscse e nmeceved nd s use suc nmn ny e pupse ppnnng emegency espnse cves. G.S. § 95-194(). any pemy eques n wng s cemcs used sed c





te eques s ncude e nme nd ddess e equese nd semen e pupse e eques. G.S. § 95-208().

67. University o North Carolina Liability Insurance Records . recdspenng e Unvesy N Cn’s by nsuncepgm s n be cnsdeed pubc ecds nd s n be sub-jec dscvey unde e rues Cv Pcedue. G.S. § 116-222.

68. Uranium Exploration. i pesn engged n unum exp-n sws e sscn e Depmen Nu resucesnd Cmmuny Devepmen gs, suveys, ps, nd eps

ed pusun w e ppey nue eng s cm-peve gs, nmn s be cnden nd n subjec nspecn nd exmnn u yes e ecep e n-mn by e depmen. G.S. § 74-88.

69. Veterans . N ecds e Dvsn Veens as nd eDepmen admnsn s be dscsed used ny pu-pse excep c pupses. G.S. § 165-11.1.

70. Victims Compensation Records . a medc nmn eng e men, pysc, emn cndn vcm cm-n nd w encemen ecds nd nmn nd ny juveneecds s be ed cnden by e Vcms Cmpensn Cm-mssn nd Dec. G.S. § 15B-8.1. Excep nmn edcnden unde s subsecn, e ecds e Dvsn epen pubc nspecn.

71. Wage and Hour Investigations . Fes nd e ecds eng nvesgns nd encemen pceedngs eng puped em-pymen dscmnn dscges s n be subjec nspecnnd exmnn by e pubc we suc nvesgns nd pceed-ngs e pendng. G.S. § 95-25.20(b).

72. “911” Databases. aumc numbe dencn nd umccn dencn nmn cnsss e nme, ddess,nd eepne numbes eepne subscbes wc s cnnedn cuny 911 dbse s cnden nd s n pubc ecd nmn s equed be cnden by e geemen we eepne cmpny by wc e nmn ws bned. Ds-semnn e nmn cnned n e 911 umc numbend umc cn dbse s pbed excep n c-by-cbss ny e pupse ndng emegency cs nng.

G.S. § 132-1.5C. Cu-deved excusns, cmmn w pbns,

ecgnzed pveges gns dscsue.

N Cn s n cu-deved excusns pveges, nde N Cn ppee cus ve ed ee cn be nne.te N Cn Cu appes s ed e ny exemp-ns e Pubc recds lw e se e expessy pvdedby sue. Virmani v. Presbyterian Health Services Inc., 350 N.C. 449,515 S.E.2d 675, 27 Med l. rep. (BNa) 2537 (1999); McCormick v.Hanson Aggregates Southeast Inc., 164 N.C. app. 459, 596 S.E.2d 431.cert. denied and appeal dismissed, 359 N.C. 69, 603 S.E.2d 131 (2004);Advance Publications v. City o Elizabeth City, 53 N.C. app. 504 (1981).

D. ae segegbe pns ecds cnnng exemp

me vbe?N eques ecds my be dened “n e gunds cn-

den nmn s cmmnged w e equesed nn-cnden- nmn.” a pubc gences mus be e expense sep-ng cnden m nn-cnden nmn. G.S. § 132-6(c)

E. hmend Secuy Mesues.

in 2002, e Gene assemby dded e wng nguge ePubc recds lw unde e edng “Sensve Pubc Secuy in-mn”:

() Pubc ecds s dened n G.S. 132-1 s n n-cude nmn cnnng specc des pubc secu-y pns nd ngemens e deed pns nd dw-

ngs pubc budngs nd nsucue ces.

(b) Pubc ecds s dened n G.S. 132-1 d n ncudepns peven espnd es cvy, e exen suc ecds se vuneby nd sk ssessmens, p-en ges, specc ccs, specc secuy eme-gency pcedues, e dscsue wc wud jepdzee sey gvenmen pesnne e gene pubc e secuy ny gvenmen cy, budng, suc-ue, nmn sge sysem.

(c) inmn eng e gene dpn pubcsecuy pns nd ngemens, nd budgey nmncncenng e uzn expendue pubc unds mpemen pubc secuy pns nd ngemens, e cnsucn, envn, ep pubc budngsnd nsucue ces s be pubc ecds.

G.S. § 132-1.7.

iii. StatE laW oN ElECtroNiC rECorDS

a. Cn e equese cse m ecevng ecds?

Pesns equesng cpes pubc ecds my eec bnem n ny nd med n wc e pubc gency s cpbe pvdng em. G.S. § 132-6.2.

B. Cn e equese bn cusmzed sec cmpue dbses f pcu needs?

te Pubc recds lw eques evey pubc gency cee nndex cmpue dbses cmped ceed by e gency. tendces dbses e pubc ecds. te Pubc recds lw p- vdes pubc gency need n “espnd eques cpy pubc ecd by ceng cmpng ecd des n exs.”G.S. § 132-6.2(e). i n gency gees cee cmpe suc e-cd, weve, my nege “esnbe cge e sevce.”G.S. § 132-6.2(e).

C. Des e exsence nmn n eecnc m ec s penness?

te denn pubc ecd n N Cn mkes ce e m ecd s n beng n s sus s pubc ecd. inc, e w expcy pvdes n pubc gency s “pucse,ese, cee, ewse cque ny eecnc d-pcessng sys-em e sge, mnpun, eev pubc ecds un-ess s deemnes e sysem w n mp mpede egency’s by pem e pubc nspecn nd exmnn, nd pvde eecnc cpes suc ecds.” G.S. § 132-6.1().

D. hw s e-m eed?

E-m s n expessy ddessed n e Pubc recds lw bu s wn e denn pubc ecd, wc ncudes ny “dc-umens, ppes, ees, . . . egdess pysc m cces-cs, mde eceved . . . n cnnecn w e nscn pubcbusness.” G.S. § 132-1(). te aney Gene N Cns dvsed pubc gences e-m messges eed e pe-mnce pubc empyee’s dues e pubc ecds. te aG’s e-cen pen gvenmen gude cnms: “Pubc ecds ncude bppe nd eecnc dcumens, ems, ppes …”

1. Des e-m cnsue ecd?

Yes.

2. Pubc me n gvenmen e-m gvenmen dwe

Gven e denn pubc ecds s se ecds eed enscn pubc busness, mes n gvenmen-ssuedcmpue em ddess sud be pubc ey ee gven-men busness.




T he R epoRTeRsCommiTTee foR fReedom of The pRess Pge

3. Pve me n gvenmen e-m gvenmen dwe

Gven e denn pubc ecds s se ecds eed enscn pubc busness, pve me n gvenmen-ssuedcmpue em ddess guby s n pubc ecd. hweve,Gven Pedue sgned Execuve ode 18, wc gvens cenexecuve bnc empyees nd pvdes mes n gv-enmen-ssued equpmen em ccuns w be eed s pubcecds egdess s cnen.

4. Pubc me n pve e-mCus cnsseny ve ed s e cnen, n e cn,

nmn/dcumens gvens wee s pubc. tee-e, nmn eed gvenmen uncns esdes n pve em ccun wud be eed s pubc. News Reporter Co., Inc. v. Columbus County, 184 N.C. app. 512, 516, 646 S.E.2d 390, 393(2007) (“Wee dcumen s p ‘pesnne e,’ wn emenng § 153a-98(), depends upn e nue e dcumen nd n upn wee e dcumen s been ed.”)

5. Pve me n pve e-m

Becuse e nue n em, e n s cn, gvens,pve em n pve em ccun wud n be cnsdeed pubc ecd. hweve, Gven Pedue sgned Execuve ode18, wc gvens cen execuve bnc empyees nd pvdes

mes n gvenmen-ssued equpmen em ccuns w be eed s pubc ecds egdess s cnen.

E. hw e ex messges nd nsn messges eed?

Becuse e denn pubc ecd s bd, ncudng “eec-nc d-pcessng ecds” nd expessy dsvwng ny sgn-cnce “pysc m ccescs,” ex nsn messges en deen m e ecds. i ey mee e denn pubcecd, ey w be eed s pubc ecds. i ey e n “ ndcncenng” pubc busness ey cncen pubc busness -ewse s exemp, ey wud n be subjec dscsue. in gy pubczed scnd, e Pio e N.C. Se hgwy P cn-duced n ex-wk ensp w s secey v ex messges. te hgwy P eesed e exs e sen s secey ndeesed e wk-eed ex messges e secey sen e Pio,

bu e cu decned de e pducn nn-wk ex mes-sges sen by e secey e Pio. WNCN et al. v. Department o Crime Control et al., Wke Cuny Supe Cu Cse N. 10 CVS11621 (2010).

1. D ex messges nd/ nsn messgescnsue ecd?

i ey ewse mee e denn pubc ecds, yes.

2. Pubc me messge n gvenmen dwe.

te cn e messge s eevn; e cnen e messgecns. i ey ewse mee e denn pubc ecds, yes.

3. Pve me messge n gvenmen dwe.

Geney, n. hweve, Gven Pedue sgned Execuve ode

18, wc gvens cen execuve bnc empyees nd pvdes mes n gvenmen-ssued equpmen em ccuns w be eed s pubc ecds egdess s cnen.

4. Pubc me messge n pve dwe.

te cn e messge s eevn; e cnen e messgecns. i ey ewse mee e denn pubc ecds, yes.

5. Pve me messge n pve dwe.

N.

F. hw e sc med psngs nd messges eed?

ts s n been ddessed.

G. hw e nne dscussn bd pss eed?


h. Cmpue swe

1. is swe pubc?

te Pubc recds lw des n ddess s quesn, bupnn e aney Gene und “e expc ngugG.S. §132-6.1 dsnguses swe used genee ecds ecds genees. tus, we e e pnn n g cen w, e Gene assemby dd n nend mnde dscs Se-wned cmpue swe pusun G.S. §132-1 e se1998 Wl 459785 (N.C.a.G. My 28, 1998)

2. is swe nd/ fe med pubc?


i. hw e ees eecnc ecds ssessed?

te w pems cge ny e cu cs epducnecd. teee, e eecnc ecd wee cped n mgnec pe, e cs e dsk pe cud be cged, nng me.

J. Mney-mkng scemes.

1. revenues. tee s n suy emen s.

2. Gegpc inmn Sysems.

GiS sysems e pubc ecds vbe nspecn nd cpyG.S. § 132-10, bu my n be epduced cmmec pups

K. on-ne dssemnn.

tee s n suy emen s.

iV. rECorD CatEGoriES -- oPEN or CloSED

a. aupsy eps.

reps upses pemed e eques e medc exne e desgned pubc cs e pen pusun e P

c recds lw nd pusun N Cn G. S. § 130a-389 Decembe 1, 2005 pgps nd ecdngs (vde nd udceed n cnnecn w suc upses e subjec evew nspecn, bu cpes my be bned ny by dsc neys, encemen cs nd supe cu judges. G.S. § 130a-38See s, G.S. § 132-1.8. reps pve upses pemed eques my membe e n pubc.

B. admnsve encemen ecds (e.g., wke sey nd e nspecns, ccden nvesgns)

1. rues cve nvesgns.

a w encemen ce w nvesges epbe ccdmus mke wen ep e ccden wn 24 us e

cden, nd ep s pubc ecd. G.S. § 20-166.1 (e).2. rues csed nvesgns.

te c n nvesgn s csed s n beng n we s pubc exemp m dscsue. Gannett Pac. Corp. v. N.C. SBureau o Investigation, 164 N.C. app. 154, 161, 595 S.E.2d 162, (2004) (“as cueny enced, e Pubc recds ac cnns ncepn dscsue ecds wee n nvesgn s cmpe

C. Bnk ecds.

recds c cs, ungs nd nscns e N Cn Cmmssne Bnks e pubc ecds pusun e Purecds lw nd pusun N Cn Gene Sue §





99. hweve, cen bnk ecds e cnden, ncudng ecds uds nd exmnns, ecds dscse e nmes bw-es, nd ecds eng cmpns my esu n n nvesg-n. G.S. §§ 53-99, 53-125, 53-42.1.

D. Budges.

Budges e n eed ndependeny n e sues bu wudmee e esd denn pubc ecds. G.S. § 132-1.

E. Busness ecds, fnnc d, de seces.

Busness ecds, nnc d nd de seces pve bus-nesses e csed, uness dscsed n submssn gvenmen eny. hweve, G.S. §§ 133-33, 143-52 nd 143-53, wc gvene cmpeve bd pcedues be wed n wdng se cn-cs, pvdes we bds s be pen pubc nspecnwng e wd cnc, “de seces, es d nd smppey nmn” submed n cnnecn w bd my e-mn cnden.

F. Cncs, ppss nd bds.

te cmpeve bddng sue, G.S. § 143-52, pvdes evey bd pps wc s submed e se nd wc “cnms e ems e nvn” s becme me pubc ecdnd s, wng e wd e cnc, “be pen pubc n-

specn.” hweve, “de seces, es d nd sm ppey nmn” ncuded n bd pps my emn cnden.

G. Cecve bgnng ecds.

tee e n ecds eng cecve bgnng by pubc em-pyees n N Cn. G.S. §§ 95-97 nd 95-98 pb pubcempyees m jnng unns enggng n cecve bgnng.

h. Cnes eps.

te ce cne s been bsed n me n ne-d N Cn’s cunes. in se cunes wc en e ce,e cne s equed e s eps nquess nd nvesg-ns w e cuny medc exmne nd e dsc ney. G.S.§ 152-7. Subjec cen mns n cpes pgps ndecdngs, ecds ceed by medc exmnes e pubc ecds;eee cne’s eps e s pubc ecds.

i. Ecnmc devepmen ecds.

Wen pubc gency pems cs bene nyss w e-spec ecnmc devepmen ncenves, e gency mus descben de e ssumpns nd medges used n cmpeng enyss ssessmen, nd descpn s pubc ecd. G.S.132-1.11(). recds eng e ppsed expnsn cn specc busness ndus pjecs my be wed s ng se eese wud use e pupse wc suc pubc ecdswee ceed. G.S. § 132-6(d). Meve, s pvsn my n jus-y wdng gene pces cves. Id. once decsn sbeen mde by e pubc gency ( e ppsed busness) – een v gns ecn – e juscn wdng n

nge ppes, nd e gency s dscse s sn s pccbe,bu n e n wn 25 busness dys, pubc ecds equesed e pjec e n ewse mde cnden by w. Id. i ecds e wed unde s pvsn, e pubc gency bes ebuden pvng eese wud ve used e pjec. G.S.§ 132-9(b).

J. Eecn ecds.

Eecn ecds geney e pen, nd e N Cn eec-n ws ncude sme specc pvsns specyng e pubc c-ce cen ceges eecn ecds.

Voter Registration Records. G.S. § 166-82.10, wc gvens e cm-pn nd eese ve egsn ecds, pvdes :

Upn eques . . . e cuny bd eecns s p- vde ny pesn s e egseed ves e cuny ny pecnc pecncs n e cuny.

te sme secn pvdes cuny bd eec-ns my, upn eques, uns “seecve ss” ccdng py n, sex, ce, de egsn nd v-us e ceges. Pesns pvded w suc “seecvess” mus embuse e bd e cu css ncuedn e cmpn. te cuny bds my cge sevce

ees up $25.00 pvdng suc ss n mgnec eec-nc med. By submng wen eques e SeBd Eecns, ny pesn my bn mgnec cpy e sewde cmpuezed ve egsn d bse. anyne w bns cpy e dbse mus embusee Se Bd Eecns e cu css ncued npepng . G.S. § 163-82.13(b).

Dates o Birth and Other Personal Data Exempt rom Disclosure. ted pvded by bds eecn my ncude e ge, bu n ede b, n ndvdu ve. G.S. § 163-82.10B. Eecn -cs s my n eese eecnc mges e sgnues ves;u p Sc Secuy numbes; dve cense numbes. G.S.§ 163082.10.

Registry o Absentee Ballots. G.S. § 163-228 pvdes ec cun-y’s egse bsenee b ppcns nd bs ssued “scnsue pubc ecd,” nd s be pen nspecn by ny egseed ve e cuny ny me wn 50 dys bee nd 30dys e n eecn n wc bsenee bs wee uzed, nd e mes s necessy. G.S. § 163-232 eques e cmn ec cuny bd eecns cmpe ceed s execuedbsenee bs. te cuny bd mus e ne cpy w e SeBd Eecns nd keep ne vbe pubc nspecn. te ce eecn judge ec pecnc s equed ps ne cpy e pecnc bsenee b s “n cnspcuus cn n e vng pce.”

Campaign Finance Reports. a cmpgn nnce eps equed be ed by cnddes pubc ce e ed w e Se Bd Eecns. Suc eps e pubc ecds. G.S. §§ 163-278.9, 163-278.22(4).

1. Ve egsn ecds.

indvdu ve egsn nmn s pubc w e excep-n u p sc secuy numbes, des b, e den-y e pubc gency wc e ve egseed, nd dve’scense numbes. G.S. §§ 163-82.10(). te sgnue n e egs-n my be vewed bu n cped. Id.

2. Vng esus.

Ved bs nd ecds ndvdu ved bs e cndennd s n be dscsed membes e pubc. G.S. § 163-165.1.

K. Gun pems.

Pems ndguns nd e wepns ssued by ses pusun G.S. § 14-402 ug 14-405 nd pusun ace 54B e

Gene Sues (G.S. §§ 14-415.10 ug 14-415.24) e pubcecds.

l. hsp eps.

i sp s “pubc gency N Cn gvenmen s subdvsns,” e sp’s busness nd dmnsve ecdse pubc ecds. owng e ved nd cmpex gnznsucues cen sps, numeus quesns ve sen n e-cen yes s wee cen sps e “pubc gences” wne menng e Pubc recds lw. in sme cses, e gvenngbdes sps cncede e sp se s “pubc gency”bu cnend ed pens nd busnesses — suc s subsd-es wn nd pee medc ce budngs — e n “pubc





gences.” tese quesns ve becme ue cmpced snce epssge n 1983 cmpeensve e-cdcn e se s-ues gvenng pubc sps. (Cpe 131E e Gene S-ues). amng e ngs, s cpe uzes c gvenmens ese, se cnvey pubc sps nn-p cpns,pvded e cpns gee pee e sp e bene e pubc, nd pvded e cnveynce ncudes evesny gs n e even e nn-p cpn s mee sbgns. G.S. § 131E-13().

te N Cn cus ve pvded sme gudnce by ppy-ng e pubc ecds w sp cmed ws n “pubc gency” wn e menng e Pubc recds lw. News and Observer Publishing Company v. Wake County Hospital System, 55N.C. app. 1, 284 S.E.2d 542 (1981), rev. denied , 305 N.C. 302, 291S.E.2d 151, appeal dismissed and cert. denied , 459 U.S. 803, 103 S. C.26, 74 l. Ed.2d 47 (1982). in cse, e Wke Cuny hspSysem inc. ws ed be n “gency” Wke Cuny wn epuvew e Pubc recds lw, nwsndng s nn-p cpn nd n ndependen cnc. te cu’sung ws bsed, mng e cs, upn e c (1) e s-p ws equed nse s sses e cuny upn dssun;(2) ppnmens e bd decs wee subjec ppvby e Wke Cuny Bd Cmmssnes; (3) e cuny-wnedsp pemses wee esed e nn-p cpn $1.00pe ye; (4) e cuny cmmssnes wee ened evew ndppve e sp’s nnu budge; (5) e sp’s bks weesubjec ud by e cuny; (6) e sp sysem ws nncedby cuny bnds, e evenue m wc ws eed s evenue e cuny; nd (7) e sp sysem ws n uzed e scpe exsence mend s ces ncpn wu ecuny’s wen cnsen.

te Wke Cuny sp cse ndces N Cn’scus, n ssessng wee pcu sp s “pubc gency” wn e menng e Pubc recds lw, w csey scunzee des e sp’s cpe sucue, peng geemens,nd undng n de evue e es beween e sp ndgvenmen. te pnn e N Cn Cu appes n-cudes w dngs e sgncn mpnce e nepe-n e Pubc recds lw geney. Fs, e cu ed

“ cpe eny my be cnsdeed n gency gvenmen” ses e gvenmen e sucen mke n m e gven-men. in e wds, pubc gency cnn dves se s pubccce meey by csng e cpe m gnzn. 55N.C. app. 11, 284 S.E.2d 547.

Secnd, e cu cnsued bdy e pse n G.S. § 132-1 descbes pubc ecd s ny ecd mde eceved “pusu-n w dnnce n cnnecn w e nscn pub-c busness.” te sp sysem gued s nguge sudbe cnsued s pemng pubc ccess ny se ecds wce sysem ws equed cmpe. te Cu appes ejeceds gumen, dng e pse ncudes “n ddn seecds equed by w, se ecds e kep n cyng u wu dues.” 55 N.C. app. 13, 284 S.E.2d 549. te aney Gene’s ce s epeed dng n dvsy pnns. “[t]e

pse ‘mde eceved pusun w dnnce n cnnecn w e nscn pubc busness’ ncudes, n ddn seecds equed be kep by w, ‘ecds e kep n cyngu [e gency’s] wu dues.’” 1996 Wl 925098, *2 (N.C.a.G.)(cn med). 1996 Wl 925156, *1 (N.C.a.G.) (“ts ncudesecds kep n cyng u wu dues.”).

Medc ecds ndvdu pens e n pubc ecds. SeeG.S. § 130a-374().

M. Pesnne ecds.

in N Cn, pesnne ecds se, cuny nd mu-ncp empyees e ddessed n sepe cpes e Gene

Sues. te pncp sues gvenng pesnne ecds sempyees e G.S. §§ 126-22, 126-23 nd 126-24. Cuny emppesnne ecds e cveed by G.S. § 153a-98. te pesnnecds muncp empyees e gvened by G.S. § 160a-168. tpesnne ecds empyees c sc bds e gvenedG.S. §§ 115C-319 ug 115C-321. te pesnne ecds pyees pubc sps e gvened by G.S. § 131E-257.2. in ecse, e sues pvde pesnne ecds geney e exemm e Pubc recds lw bu cen undmen nmn my be dscsed. amendmen ec e pesnne sue

2010 pened up ccess me pesnne nmn, nd s wng, egsn s pendng wud pvde even gee cc te nmn s cnsseny pubc s: Nme; ge; de n empymen ppnmen; e ems ny cnc by we empyee s empyed ; cuen psn; e; cuen sy; dnd mun ec ncese decese n sy; de nd ypeec pmn, demn, nse, suspensn, sepn, cnge n psn csscn; de nd gene descpn esns ec pmn w depmen, gency, nsucmmssn, bueu; de nd ype ec dsmss, suspensndemn dscpny esns, nd e dscpny cn wdsmss, cpy e wen nce e n decsn e e depmen seng e specc cs mssns e bss e dsmss; nd e ce sn wc e epyee s cueny ssgned. te se excepn s gene

empyees pubc sps, wse pesnne sue s medy deen. G.S. §§ 131E-257.2.

Pesnne ecds sp empyees e eed deenm e pubc empyees. F empyees, e pubc g ccess ce nmn (nme; ge; de empmen; cuen psn; de e ms ecen pmn, demnse, suspensn, sepn e cnge n psn cssn; nd e ce wc e empyee s cueny ssgned.) G§ 131E-257.2. F censed medc pvdes empyed by wpveges pcce n pubc sp, e pubc s my ndeducn sy nd qucns, de nd jusdcn gnd cuen censue; nd nmn eng medc bd cns e qucns medc specss. Id. te pvdes ddn nmn e ve ms gy cmpens“key empyees” (pepe vng espnsbes sm se

ce, ncudng e ce mngemen nd dmnsve c pubc sp) pus “cveed ces” (suc s e CEo). F ndvdus, e wng s pubc: Bse sy, bnus cmpenspn-bsed ncenve cmpensn nd e d vue cmpensn, wc ncudes ny pequses nd e pesn bes. Id.

1. Sy.

Pubc.

2. Dscpny ecds.

Py pubc. te de nd ype ec pmn, demnse, suspensn, sepn, e cnge n psn cssn s pubc. te de nd ype ec dsmss, suspensn, mn dscpny esns s pubc, nd e dscpny c

ws dsmss, cpy e wen nce e n decsn ed e depmen seng e specc cs mssns e e bss e dsmss s pubc.

3. appcns.

N pubc.

4. Pesny denyng nmn.

ony e speccy dened “pesnne ecds” e pubc.

5. Expense eps.

Pubc.





N. Pce ecds.

Secn 132-1.4 e Gene Sues gvens cmn nvesg-ns nd negence nmn ecds, wc geney e n pubc ecds. Cen nmn, weve, is pubc:

te me, de, cn, nd nue vn ppen v-n e w eped pubc w encemen gency.

te nme, sex, ge, ddess, empymen, nd eged vn w pesn esed, cged, ndced.

te ccumsnces suundng n es, ncudng e me ndpce e es, wee e es nvved essnce, pssessn use wepns, pusu, nd descpn ny ems sezed ncnnecn w e es.

te cnens “911” nd e emegency eepne cs e-ceved by n be pubc w encemen gences, excep suc cnens eve e nme, ddess, eepne numbe, e nmn my deny e ce, vcm, wness.

te cnens cmmuncns beween mng empyees pubc w encemen gences e bdcs ve e pubcwys.

te nme, sex, ge, nd ddess cmpnng wness.

G.S. § 132-1.4(c).

1. accden eps.

a w encemen ce w nvesges epbe ccden mus mke wen ep e ccden wn 24 us e c-cden, nd ep s pubc ecd. G.S. § 20-166.1 (e).

2. Pce be.

Pce bes e n speccy ddessed. te nmndened by G.S. § 132-1.4(c) s pubc, egdess wee s kep.

3. 911 pes.

recdngs 911 cs e pubc. G.S. § 132-1.4(c)(4)

4. invesgy ecds.

. rues cve nvesgns.

te w mkes n dsncn beween pen csed nvesg-ns. te nmn dened n G.S. § 132-1.4(c) s pubc, e-gdess e sus n nvesgn.

b. rues csed nvesgns.

te w mkes n dsncn beween pen csed nvesg-ns. te nmn dened n G.S. § 132-1.4(c) s pubc, e-gdess e sus n nvesgn.

5. aes ecds.

te nmn dened n G.S. § 132-1.4(c) s pubc, egdess e sus n nvesgn.

6. Cmpns cmn ses.

t e degee cmpns e n exsence, ey wud be pubc.

7. Vcms.

N Cn s n sue cegcy wud exemp mdscsue ny nmn bu vcms cme. lw encemen my empy “wd e nme ddess cmpnng w-ness eese e nmn s esnby key pse e e men e, pysc e, pesn sey e cmpn-ng wness mey cmpmse cnnung uue cmnnvesgn cmn negence pen.” G.S. § 132-1.4(d).

8. Cnessns.

Cnessns e n speccy ddessed by sue bu key cudbe wed s cmn negence cmn nvesgve ecds.G.S. § 132-1.4(b).

9. Cnfden nmns.

Cnden nmns e n speccy ddessed by sue bu key cud be wed s cmn negence cmn nvesg-ve ecds. G.S. § 132-1.4(b).

10. Pce ecnques.

Pce ecnques e n speccy ddessed by sue bu key cud be wed s cmn negence cmn nvesgve e-cds. G.S. § 132-1.4(b).

11. Mug ss.

Mug ss e n speccy ddessed by sue. Pgps encuded wn e denn “ecds cmn nvesgns,” wc my be wed, bu mug ss uney e eesed n NCn.

12. Sex ende ecds.

recds sex endes e n speccy ddessed by sue. te nmn cmn cnvcns wud be pubc, s judcecds e pubc. G.S. § 7a-109.

13. Emegency medc sevces ecds.

EMS ecds e n speccy ddessed by sue bu sudgeney be pubc unde e bd denn pubc ecds. hw-

eve, N Cn EMS depmens ncesngy e wdngnmn pusun hiPaa.

o. Psn, pe nd pbn eps.

te N Cn Supeme Cu s ued nen psnecds, suc s nmn eng e bev, csscn,nd sus psnes, s cnden nd my n be dscsed psnes e gene pubc. Goble v. Bounds , 13 N.C. app. 579,186 S.E.2d 638 (1971), a’d , 281 N.C. 307, 188 S.E.2d 347 (1972). ine Goble cse, e N Cn ppee cus nepeed G.S. §148-74 nd 148-76 s pemng suc nmn be mde v-be ny w encemen gences, cus, cecn gences, e cs equng cmn dencn, cme sscs nde nmn especng cmes nd cmns.

Smy, ecds used n cnnecn w psne gevnce p-ceedngs e csed. Psne gevnces e nded by e Gevnceresun Bd pusun G.S. §§ 148-118.1 ug 148-118.9. tese sues esbs nd gven e cecns admnsveremedy Pcedue. G.S. § 148-118.5 pvdes “ eps, nves-gns, nd ke suppng dcumens peped by e Depmen [ Cecns] pupses espndng e psne’s eques n dmnsve emedy s be deemed be cnden.” tesme secn s pvdes, weve, e psne s be u-nsed w “ m wen espnses” s gevnce eques.

i s mpn ne e cndeny psn ecds smed internal mes, suc s psne bev, dscpne, cn-sden wk eese, nd e ke. Mes suc s e eng psne’s senence, e begnnng nd endng de e senence,nd e ke e mes pubc ecd. See G.S. § 148-59.

a es 30 dys bee nse N Cn nme ne se cecn sysem s ppved, e Secey C-ecn s gve nce e ppsed nse by: (1) nyng edsc ney e dsc wee e psne ws cnvced, e judge w pesded e psne’s , e w encemen gency esed e psne, nd e vcm e psne’s cme; (2)psng nce e cuuse n e cuny n wc e psne ws cnvced; nd (3) nyng ny e pesn w s mde wen eques eceve nce nse e psne. a w-en cmmens egdng nse e pubc ecds unde GeneSues Cpe 132 uness e Secey deemnes nce dscsue wud jepdze e sey pesns ppey. G.S. §148-121.





P. Pubc uy ecds.

recds pubc ues geney e pubc, ug specc b-ng ecds e n. G.S. § 132-1.1(c).

Q. re ese ppss, negns.

1. appss.

appss e n eed by sue.

2. Negns.

re ese negns e n eed by e pubc ecds w,ug e open Meengs lw cnns n exempn pem csed sessn dscussns cen specs pen e esenscns.

3. tnscns.

re ese negns e n eed by e pubc ecds w,ug e open Meengs lw cnns n exempn pem csed sessn dscussns cen specs pen e esenscns.

4. Deeds, ens, ecsues, e sy.

Pubc.

5. Znng ecds.

Pubc.r. Sc nd unvesy ecds.

as e wng s, cse s pendng n Wke Cuny SupeCu ( News and Observer Publishing et al. v. Baddour et al., Cse N. 10CVS 1941) w ec e nepen e nepy beweene Pubc recds lw nd e se nd ede ws equng cn-deny educn ecds. a cn nne med gnz-ns s sued e Unvesy N Cn ccess ecdseed n NCaa nvesgn mppees n e b p-gm. UNC s wed cen ecds (ncudng pne ecdsnd pkng ckes) n e bss FErPa nd e N Cnsue eng cndeny suden ecds.

1. aec ecds.

tee s n specc sue cves s.

2. tusee ecds.

tee s n specc sue cves s. tusees wud bepubc gens geney subjec e Pubc recds lw, nd usny ecds n e pssessn wud be pubc uness speccy ex-emped by sue (suc s e sue pvdng cndeny suden ecds).

3. Suden ecds.

“te c ecd ec suden s n pubc ecd s eem “pubc ecd” s dened by G.S. 132-1. te c ecds n be subjec nspecn nd exmnn s uzed by G.S. 132-6.” G.S. § 115C-402.

“recds mnned by te Unvesy N Cn ny

cnsuen nsun, by e Cmmuny Ceges Sysem o-ce ny cmmuny cege, wc cnn pesny denbenmn m bu n ppcn dmssn ne mecnsuen nsuns ne me cmmuny ceges s becnden nd s n be subjec pubc dscsue pusun G.S. 132-6().” G.S. § 132-1.1

S. V sscs.

1. B cefces.

B ceces, w e excepn e nmes cden ndpens, e ddesses pens (e n cuny esdence ndps cde), nd e sc secuy numbes pens, e pubcecds. G.S. § § 130a-93.

2. Mge & dvce.

Pubc. Mge lcenses e ecds e regse DeG.S. § 51-8. Upn pesenn cuen nd vd “addess Cdeny Pgm uzn cd,” e regse Deeds muse subsue ddess wen ceng new mge cense. G.51-16.1. recds dvce e judc ecds e pubc. G§ 7a-109.

3. De cefces.

De ceces e ed w e egse deeds nd e pc ecds. G.S. § 130a-99. ony cen pepe my bn cecpes.

4. inecus dsese nd e epdemcs.

N sue speccy ddesses s ssue, ug pesny dbe medc nmn n e pssessn pubc gencecnden. G.S. § 130a-12.

V. ProCEDUrE For oBtaiNiNG rECorDS

a. hw s.

tee e n pescbed pcedues w ms submcnnecn w e nspecn, exmnn cpyng pubccds n N Cn. Expeence ndces e vewemmjy suc equess e mde y nd e ued edy

nmy. N Cn’s Pubc recds lw eques c pubc ecds mus be gned by “evey pesn vng cusdpubc ecds.” tus equess cn be, nd e, ddessed vuny pubc empyee.

1. W eceves eques?

requess pubc ecds my be mde e cusdn pubc ecd. one cu ued c gvenmen cncnsuc bes pubc ecds ccess by equng equess eed ug cuny mnge sme e desgned pubcc. Dawes v. Buncombe County Board o Commissioners, 99 CVS 03(Sepembe 1, 1999).

2. Des e w cve equess?

W w excepns, e Pubc recds lw des n eque ques be n wng. a pubc gency my eque eques ces cmpue dbses be mde n wng, nd pubc gepvdng cpes gegpc nmn sysem my equn geemen n wng e equese w n use e ecdcmmec pupses. G.S. §§ 132-6.2(c) nd 132-10.

. angemens nspec & cpy.

te w pems ny pesn eques nspec pubc ec tee s n mgc nguge n e sue eed w e equemde, nd sys ecds my be “nspeced nd exmned esbe mes nd unde esnbe supevsn by ny pesn.” G.132-6().

b. i n eques s dened:

(1). hw des e equese memze eus?

ts s n ddessed n e sue, wc (geney) cnnsequemen equess be n wng.

(2). D subsequen seps need be n wng?

ts s n ddessed n e sue, wc (geney) cnnsequemen equess be n wng.

3. Cnens wen eques.

tee e n suy equemens e pcu m ques. i s cmmn pcce deny e ecds w s muc pcuy s s pssbe; gee py e cu cs pvdngecds bu eques be ned n dvnce e w exc





pcu mun; nd eques, s pvded by sue, eecds be pvded “s pmpy s pssbe.” G.S. § 132-6().

. Descpn e ecds.

te w des n cnn ny equemens eed descpn e ecds.

b. Need ddess ee ssues.

te w des n cnn ny equemens eed pymen ees, ug s cusmy gee py e cu css up pe-se m w eques be ned excess expense.

c. Pe quck espnse.

te w eques ecds be pduced “s pmpy s pssbe,”bu ee s pcu meme py, wud be wse dvsee pubc gency e pendng dedne.

d. Cn e eques be uue ecds?

Sme epes e be mke ngemens be ncuded ndsbun ss ecds be cped n pcu css ems e ecds, bu s s n speccy ddessed by sue.

B. hw ng w.

1. Suy, eguy cu-se me ms

gency espnse. te Pubc recds lw mpses n specc me ms n ee

equess espnses. G.S. § 132-6 ses cusdn pubcecds s mke em vbe “ esnbe mes nd unde e-snbe supevsn by ny pesn, nd s, s pmpy s pssbe,uns cpes ee upn pymen ny ees s my be pescbedby w.” tese sndds ppeny ve n been nepeed by ecus. in cunseng membes e N Cn Pess assc-n cncenng e meness equess nd espnses, e NCPa’sgene cunse s ssumed e quny nd nue e dcu-mens equesed wud be cnsdeed n deemnng wee e-ques ws mey nd wee e espnse ws esnby pmp.

as ned bve, e vewemng mjy equess pubcecds n N Cn e mde y. i epe’s eques s

dened, e usu nex sep s e eques be eeed by n ed e pesn n uy n wng. i s eques sdened, NCPa membe newsppes equeny pceed (1) bne pnn n ney, suc s e NCPa’s Gene Cunse, wegd wee e dcumens equesed e ndeed pubc ecds;(2) pubcze e c e den, nd e ney’s pnn, n news sy; nd (3) ne wen eques m e newsppe’smngemen e c w s eused dscse e dcumens.te NCPa ecmmends suc eques descbe e dcumensn quesn, pn u e dcumens ppe be cveed by e N Cn Pubc recds lw, nd sk e eques sdened, e c se n wng “ny sue, cse peceden, egu-n ue upn wc yu ey n decnng pubc ccess edcumens n quesn.”

2. inm eepne nquy s sus.

Pubc gences e geney espnsve eques susep.

3. is dey ecgnzed s den ppepupses?

N N Cn cses ve cnsued undue dey s den eques. te equemen ecds be pvded “s pmpy s pssbe” s exsed ppxmey seven yes, nd n ppe-e cu s pped equemen. te N.C. Cu appesexpcy decned cnsde meness wen ws n equed by e cse. “Wee e eng deendns’ dey n pducng cp-es e equesed pubc ecds cnsues den ccess s n

quesn we need ddess s me becuse we ve und pn-’s cmpn sucen n e gunds.” State Employees Ass’n o N. Carolina, Inc. v. N. Carolina Dept. o State Treasurer , 364 N.C. 205,213, 695 S.E.2d 91, 96-97 (2010) one cu dd nd e Pubcrecds lw “des n pvde ee mee dey n pducngcpes pubc ecds,” Quality Built Homes, Inc. v. Vill. o Pinehurst ,1:06CV1028, 2008 Wl 3503149 (M.D.N.C. aug. 11, 2008).

4. any e ecuse encuge espnse.

N e.

C. admnsve ppe.

te N Cn Pubc recds lw cnns n equemens pcedues dmnsve ppes n nsnces wee ccess pubc ecds s dened. i nyne s cged ee e equesebeeves s excessve, e equese my sk e inmn resuce Mngemen Cmmssn mede e dspue. G.S. § 132-6.2(c).

1. tme m.

N specc sue mns ppes n e Pubc recdslw; e Pubc recds lw s n ncuded n e gene sueseng mn; nd n cse s ddessed e me ms bngng su. an gumen cud be mde e sue s ee yes, G.S. § 1-52(2) e gene “ e cns” mn en yes ppes. any gube sue mns pbem cudbe xed by epe e pubc ecds eques.

2. t wm s n ppe deced?

Cms vn e Pubc recds lw cud ppey beed n e dsc supe cu dvsns e Gene Cu Jusce. Ms cses e bug n supe cu.

. indvdu gences.

tee e n pcu pvsns eed pcu gences.

b. a se cmmssn mbudsmn.

tee s n pvsn suc.

c. Se ney gene.

te ney gene cn pvde nn-bndng pnns pubcgences bu n membes e pubc.

3. Fee ssues.

“[i] nyne equesng pubc nmn m ny pubc gency s cged ee e equese beeves be un unesn-be, e equese my sk e Se Ce inmn oce sdesgnee mede e dspue.” G.S. 132-6.2(b).

4. Cnens ppe ee.

. Descpn ecds pns ecdsdened.

tee s n pvsn dmnsve ppe, by ee e- wse.

b. reung e esns den.


5. Wng espnse.


6. Subsequen emedes.






D. Cu cn.

1. W my sue?

te Pubc recds lw pvdes “ny pesn” w s denedccess pubc ecds my ppy e pppe dvsn eGene Cu Jusce n de cmpeng dscsue. G.S. §132-9.

2. Py.

acns bug unde e Pubc recds lw “s be se dwn mmede eng,” nd subsequen pceedngs e ccded p-y. G.S. § 132-9(9).

3. P se.

a pen seekng pubc ecds my be ed pro se, bu s pce-due s n ecmmended.

4. issues e cu w ddess:

G.S. § 132-9 pvdes e cus s ve jusdcn s-sue des “cmpeng dscsue” pubc ecds. N Cncse w mkes ce e cus cn nd d cnsde nd ueupn eed ssues, suc s e pcce cgng excessve ees nde dscuge equess. aug e pubc ecds w mkesn specc eeence decy judgmens, n de cmpengdscsue pcu ype cegy dcumen s, s pccme, nmun decy judgmen w espec sm- dcumens. Cus ssung des cmpeng dscsue equeny ncude wdng mke ce uue equess e sme sm ceges dcumens mus s be ned.

d. Pens uue ccess (decy judgmen).

Ms cmpns vn e pubc ecds w cnn p-e equess decy ee unde e Decy Judgmen ac. G.S. §§ 1-253 et seq.

5. Pedng m.

G.S. § 132-9 des n pescbe ny pcu m pedngs,bu ms pubc ecds cses e cmmenced by e ng pe-

n.6. tme m fng su.

N specc sue mns ppes n e Pubc recds lw;e Pubc recds lw s n ncuded n e gene sues eng mn; nd n cse s ddessed e me ms bngngsu. an gumen cud be mde e sue s ee yes, G.S.§ 1-52(2) e gene “ e cns” mn en yesppes. any gube sue mns pbem cud be xed by epe e pubc ecds eques.

7. W cu.

G.S. § 132-9 pvdes pens seekng dscsue pubcecds my be ed n ee dvsn e Gene Cu Jusce— .e., Supe Cu n Dsc Cu. Ms penes eec

e n Supe Cu. hweve, n u cunes wee SupeCu s ed nequeny, cns e smemes cmmenced n Ds-c Cu.

8. Judc emedes vbe.

te pncp emedy vbe n pceedng cmmenced pusu-n G.S. § 132-9 s e cu ene n de cmpeng e

cusdn e ecds mke em vbe pubc nspecexmnng nd cpyng.

9. lgn expenses.

. aney ees.

a equese w pevs n cv su bug pusun e Pc recds lw my seek n wd ney ees. te sue been mended mke n wd ney ees py wnnccess vuy mndy. te cu “s” wd ees uness

nncmpn pubc gency ws wng judgmen de cu, pubsed ppee pnn, wen pnn m aney Gene. G.S. § 132-9(c).

b. Cu nd gn css.

ts s n ddessed n e sue.

10. Fnes.

te Pubc recds lw des n pvde ny nes, cmsncns, e penes e unuzed wdng pc ecds.

11. oe penes.

Nne

12. Seemen, ps nd cns. aug e Pubc recds lw pvdes cns bu

s be se dwn mmede eng, expeence s pven ee en s s seve-mn dey n cu cn. tee n u--cu esun cn be eced, key w be ue bnng ecds. in e expeence e NCPa, weew pubc gences ve, n e mdde dspue, evesed decsn wee ecd ws pubc.

E. appeng n cu decsns.

1. appe ues.

a decsn dsc supe cu denyng ccess puecd s ppebe e N Cn Cu appes.

2. tme ms fng ppes.

an ppe m judgmen de n cv cn mus be wn 30 dys e s eny. N.C.r. app. P. 3(c) (1997).

3. Cnc neesed mc.

te N Cn Pess asscn, e N Cn PFundn nd N Cn newsppes ndvduy ve bsuppve cegues n ng amicus curiae bes n pubc ecnd pen meengs ssues. te repes Cmmee Feedme Pess en es amicus bes n cses nvvng sgncn mew ssues.

F. addessng gvenmen sus gns dscsue.

in 2004, e N Cn cus ued gvenmen gces my n use e Pubc recds lw s swd by sung pv

czens ve pubc ecds dspue. McCormick v. Hanson AggregSoutheast Inc., 164 N.C. app. 459, 596 S.E.2d 431. cert. denied appeal dismissed, 359 N.C. 69, 603 S.E.2d 131 (2004). See also CitBurlington v. Boney Publishers Inc., 166 N.C. app. 186, 600 S.E.2d (2004), disc. rev. improvidently allowed, 359 N.C. 422, 611 S.E.2d (2005).





open Meengs

i. StatUtE -- BaSiC aPPliCatioN.

a. W my end?

N Cn Gene Sue Secn 143-318.9 pvdes pubc bdes “exs sey cnduc e pepe’s busness” nd sudcnduc e busness peny. teee, nyne s ened endn pen sessn pubc bdy.

B. W gvenmens e subjec e w?

a “pubc bdes” n N Cn e cveed, egdess wee ey uncn n be e se, ne me cun-es, ces, sc dmnsve uns, e pc subdvsns.G.S. § 143-318.10(b).

1. Se.

Cveed.

2. Cuny.

Cveed.

3. lc muncp.

Cveed.

C. W bdes e cveed by e w?

G.S. § 143-318.10(b) denes “pubc bdes” s ws:

a pubc bdy s n eeced ppned bdy () w w memembes () execses egsve pcy-mkng, qus-judc,dmnsve, dvsy uncn. any gup ces u cv-es n be pubc bdy dvses pubc bdy s eed s pubc bdy e pupses e open Meengs lw. a pubcbdy my n deege espnsby pve enes nd eeby vd pemng pubc uncns n pubc mnne.

a cmmee pubc bdy s pubc bdy. i bd ques s pubc bdy unde e bsc denn nd bd s cmm-ees cmpsed s wn membes, se cmmees e uy pubc.

“Cnsuen nsuns e Unvesy N Cn” esubjec e open Meengs lw.

i e c gvenmen s usndng deb e sp e c gvenmen pppes unds supp e sp, ene gvenng bd sp (nd ny subdvsn ee) s pubc bdy. i nn-p cpn gees pee e sps cmmuny gene sp, e sp’s gvenng bd s pubc bdy.

1. Execuve bnc gences.

Execuve bnc gences e cveed by e open Meengs lw ey mee e bsc equemens G.S. § 143-318.10(b).

. W fcs e cveed?

any w me cs w cy cmpse cmmee

subcmmee wud cnsue pubc bdy subjec e openMeengs lw. N ndvdu c cng ne s cveed, n ed c cmmees.

b. ae cen execuve uncns cveed?

Pvded e bdy s execsng egsve, pcy-mkng, qus-judc, dmnsve, dvsy uncn, e bdy s cveed by e open Meengs lw.

c. ae ny cen gences subjec e c?

N; ny w me pepe w, by eecn ppnmen, eexecsng egsve, pcy-mkng, qus-judc, dmnsve, dvsy uncn, e cveed by e open Meengs lw.

2. legsve bdes.

a sgy mded vesn e open Meengs lw ppes e N Cn Gene assemby geney, ncudng s cm-mees, subcmmees nd cmmssns. te vn m esndd pvsns s e Gene assemby s deen ncepvsns. G.S. § 143-318.14a. te legsve Ecs Cmmee,cneence cmmees, nd cucus by membes e Gene assemby e n subjec e open Meengs lw. hweve, nmembe e Gene assemby s pcpe n cucus wcs ced e pupse evdng subveng s ace. G.S. §143-318.18.

3. Cus.

G.S. § 143-318.18 pvdes “gnd nd pe jues,” nd “eGene Cu Jusce” (.e., e Dsc nd Supe Cus) eexemp m e open Meengs lw.

4. Nngvenmen bdes ecevng pubc unds benefs.

Geney spekng, e suce unds s nng d w de-emnng wee bdy s “pubc bdy” pupses e open Meengs lw. hweve, e Cu appes ued n Chatfeld v.Wilmington Housing Finance and Development Inc., 166 N.C. app. 703,603 S.E.2d 837 (2004), ss gvenmen undng ws ne c- cnsde n deemnng usng gency ws subjec e

open Meengs lw. Geney spekng, weve, nngvenmenbdes e n cveed, egdess wee ey eceve gvenmen unds.

5. Nngvenmen gups wse membes ncudegvenmen fcs.

Nngvenmen bdes e n cveed, ug e ecds n c sevng n nngvenmen gup by vue s egvenmen psn mg be subjec e Pubc recds lw.

6. Mu-se egn bdes.

aug e open Meengs lw des n expessy ddess mu-se bdes, seems ce deegn w me membesppned by pc subdvsn N Cn wud cns-ue “pubc bdy” subjec e open Meengs lw.

7. advsy bds nd cmmssns, qus-gvenmen enes.

advsy bds nd cmmssns e cveed by e w, pvdedey mee e denn “pubc bdy.”

8. oe bdes wc gvenmen pubcuncns e deeged.

a bdes e cveed ey mee e denn “pubc bdy”unde G.S. § 143-318.10.

9. appned s we s eeced bdes.

appned s we s eeced bdes e cveed ey mee edenn “pubc bdy.”

D. W cnsues meeng subjec e w.

te w cves “c meengs” pubc bdes. an c

meeng s dened s “ meeng, ssemby, geng gee ny me pce e smuneus cmmuncn by cneenceeepne e eecnc mens mjy e membes pubc bdy e pupse cnducng engs, pcpngn debens, vng upn ewse nscng e pubcbusness wn e jusdcn, e ppen, e pubc bdy.”G.S. § 143-318.10(d).

1. Numbe mus be pesen.

. Mus mnmum numbe be pesen cnsue “meeng”?

a mjy e membes pubc bdy mus be pesen n -de n “c meeng” ccu. G.S. § 143-318.10(d).





b. W eec des bsence quum ve?

te bsence quum mens e meeng s n “c,” nde open Meengs lw equemens d n c.

2. Nue busness subjec e w.

a meengs e cveed ey e e pupse “cnducngengs, pcpng n debens, vng upn ewsenscng e pubc busness . . .” G.S. § 143-318.10(d).

. “inmn geng” nd “c-fndng”sessns.

Cveed.

b. Debens wd decsns.

Cveed, uness exemped by e csed sessn pvsns.

3. Eecnc meengs.

. Cneence cs nd vde/inene cneencng.

te open Meengs lw pvdes bdy my d meengby cneence c bu mus pvde cn nd mens membes e pubc sen e meeng. te bdy my cge ee up $25.00 ec sene dey e cs pvdng e necessy

cn nd equpmen. G.S. § 143-318.13().b. E-m.

E-m s n expessy ddessed n e open Meengs lw bu wud wn e denn pubc ecd, wc ncudes ny “dcumens, ppes, ees, . . . egdess pysc m cc-escs.” G.S. § 132-1().

c. tex messges.

Quesns ve sen bu pubc cs exng ec e du-ng meengs, nd pen gvenmen dvces ke e psn suc cvy ves e open Meengs w equemen pvdepubc ccess eecnc meengs. G.S. § 143-318.13().

d. insn messgng.

Quesns ve sen bu pubc cs exng ec e du-ng meengs, nd pen gvenmen dvces ke e psn suc cvy ves e open Meengs w equemen pvdepubc ccess eecnc meengs. G.S. § 143-318.13().

e. Sc med nd nne dscussn bds.

N ddessed by sue.

E. Ceges meengs subjec e w.

1. regu meengs.

. Defnn.

“regu meengs” e n dened n e open Meengs lw. inessence, ey cnss c meengs excep “spec meengs”nd “emegency meengs.”

b. Nce.

(1). tme m gvng nce.

Pubc bdes mus esbs scedue egu meengs ndmke scedue pubc. oewse, ee s n equemen n-ce ec meeng. G.S. § 143-318.12. i meeng s ecessed en djuned, my be cnnued wu nce beynd n n-nuncemen n e open Meeng e me nd pce e meeng w cnnue. G.S. § 143-318.12(b)(1)

(2). t wm nce s gven.

Pubc bdes vng scedue egu c meengs mus keep e scedue n e pubc nspecn. G.S. § 143-318.12().

(3). Wee psed.

te scedue se gvenmen pubc bdes mus be n w e Secey Se. G.S. § 143-318.12()(1).

te scedue cuny gvenmen pubc bdes mus bee w e cek e bd cuny cmmssnes. G.S. § 1318.12()(2).

te scedue cy gvenmen pubc bdes mus be n e we cy cek. G.S. § 143-318.12()(3).

F e pubc bdes, e scedue mus be n e w s c secey nne, w e cek e bd cuny cmssnes wee e pubc bdy nmy mees. i e sceduevsed, e evsed scedue mus be ed s ndced bve eseven dys bee e de e s meeng ed unde e evscedue. G.S. § 143-318.12()(4).

(4). Pubc gend ems equed.

te open Meengs lw cnns n equemen bdes n gend egu meengs. hweve, n gend s ceed, pubc ecd unde e Pubc recds lw. G.S. § 132-1.

(5). oe nmn equed n nce.

Nne.

(6). Penes nd emedes ue gdeque nce.

te penes nd emedes e e sme s ny e v e open Meengs lw, .e. e meeng my be deced end cn ken may be vded. G.S. § § 143-318.16, 143-318.1143-318.16B.

c. Mnues.

(1). inmn equed.

te open Meengs lw eques “u nd ccue” mnube kep meengs, egdess wee ey e pen c Wen pubc bdy mees n csed sessn, s keep ge ccun e csed sessn s pesn n n end wud ve esnbe undesndng w nsped. Suc

cuns my be wen nve, vde ud ecdngs. G.143-318.10(e). te N Cn Cu appes s dpedpsn me UNC Sc Gvenmen Pess Dvdlwence n e deence beween mnues nd gene ccu“te pupse mnues s pvde ecd e cns ken bd nd evdence e cns wee ken ccdng pe pcedues. i n cn s ken, n mnues (e n ec e meeng ccued) e necessy. te pupse geneccun, n e e nd, s pvde sme s ecd dscussn k pce n e csed sessn, wee cn ken n.” Multimedia Publishing o North Carolina Inc. v. HendeCounty, 145 N.C. app. 365, 372-73, 550 S.E.2d 846, 851-52 (20(qung Open Meetings and Local Governments in North Carolina: SQuestions and Answers (5 ed.1998)).

(2). ae mnues pubc ecd? Mnues b pen nd csed sessns e pubc ec

ug mnues csed sessns my be wed s ng s “punspecn wud use e pupse csed sessn.” G.S143-318.10(e). in Piedmont Publishing Co. v. Surry County, 24 Medrep. (BNa) 1371 (N.C. Sup. C. 1995), e cu ed mnu meengs e pubc ecd upn cen nd “[]ppve mnues n c meeng pubc bdy s n peeqse e csscn s pubc ecd.” te cu wen und equed cuny cmmssnes pduce cpes ny nken e meeng, s we. te Cu appes s s ed ny mnues eg csed sessns my be wed m e pub“te pn nguge G.S. § 143-138.10 eques csed s





sn be cnduced n cmpnce w G.S. § 143-318.11 n de e mnues suc sessn be wed m pubc nspecn.”Boney Publishers Inc. v. Burlington City Council , 151 N.C. app. 651, 659,566 S.E.2d 701, 706 (2002).

2. Spec emegency meengs.

. Defnn.

a “spec meeng” s ny meeng e n egu eme-gency meeng. an emegency meeng s “ne ced becuse gen-ey unexpeced ccumsnces eque mmede cnsdenby e pubc bdy.” G.S. § 143-318.12(b)(3).

b. Nce equemens.


Nce spec meengs mus be gven es 48 us beee me e meeng. Pubc nce n emegency meeng mus be gven mmedey e nce s been gven membes epubc bdy.


Nce spec meengs mus be gven by psng n e pn-cp buen bd e pubc bdy , ee s n suc bd, e d s usu meeng m. addny, nce mus bemed deveed med ndvdus ve ed weneques be ned.

(3). Wee psed.

Nce spec meengs mus be gven by psng n e pnc-p buen bd e pubc bdy , ee s n suc bd, e d s usu meeng m.


Nce spec emegency meeng mus ncude e pupse e meeng.

(5). oe nmn equed n nce.

Nne.

(6). Penes nd emedes ue gvedeque nce.

te penes nd emedes e e sme s ny e vn

e open Meengs lw.c. Mnues.

(1). inmn equed.

te mnues equemen spec emegency meengs e esme s se egu meengs. te open Meengs lw eques “u nd ccue” mnues be kep meengs, egdess wee ey e pen csed. Wen pubc bdy mees n csed sessn, s keep gene ccun e csed sessn s pesn n n endnce wud ve esnbe undesnd-ng w nsped. Suc ccuns my be wen nve, vde ud ecdngs. G.S. § 143-318.10(e).

(2). ae mnues pubc ecd?

Mnues e pubc ecd uness “pubc nspecn wud us-e e pupse csed sessn.” G.S. § 143-318.10(e).

3. Csed meengs execuve sessns.

. Defnn.

te open Meengs lw des n cnn denn csedsessns bu speccy denes e nne ccumsnces n wc csed sessn my be ed.

b. Nce equemens.


Pubc bdes mus esbs scedue egu meengs ndmke scedue pubc. oewse, ee s n equemen n-

ce ec meeng. N s ee ny equemen nce be p- vded e pubc bdy w mee n csed sessn.


Sme s pen meeng.

(3). Wee psed.

Sme s pen meeng.


Sme s pen meeng.(5). oe nmn equed n nce.

Nne.

(6). Penes nd emedes ue gvedeque nce.

te penes nd emedes e e sme s ny e vn e open Meengs lw.

c. Mnues.

(1). inmn equed.

te open Meengs lw eques “u nd ccue” mnuesbe kep meengs, egdess wee ey e pen csed. Wen pubc bdy mees n csed sessn, s keep geneccun e csed sessn s pesn n n endnce wudve esnbe undesndng w nsped. Suc ccunsmy be wen nve, vde ud ecdngs. G.S. § 143-318.10(e).

(2). ae mnues pubc ecd?

Mnues kep by pubc bdes e pubc ecds pusun G.S.§ 132-6. hweve, G.S. § 143-318.10(e) pvdes mnues csed sessn my be wed m pubc nspecn s ng s pub-c nspecn wud use e pupse e csed sessn.

d. requemen mee n pubc bee csng meeng.

a csed sessn my be ed ny upn e pssge ppe

mn, n pen sessn, g n csed sessn. G.S. § 143-318.11(c).

e. requemen se suy uy csng meengs bee csue.

a membe e pubc bdy mus mke mn, sng e u-y gng n csed sessn, nd e mn mus pss beegng n csed sessn. i e esn e csed sessn s dscuss pendng gn, e mn mus deny e pes egn. G.S. § 143-318.11(c).

. tpe ecdng equemens.

Nne.

F. recdng/bdcs meengs.

1. Sund ecdngs wed. te open Meengs lw pvdes, n G.S. § 143-318.14, “ny

pesn” my pgp, m, pe-ecd, ewse epduceny p meeng equed be pen.

2. Pgpc ecdngs wed.

te open Meengs lw pvdes, n G.S. § 143-318.14, “ny pesn” my pgp, m, pe-ecd, ewse epduceny p meeng equed be pen.

G. ae ee sncns nncmpnce?

te pssbe “sncns” nncmpnce e (1) decn meeng ws ed n vn e open Meengs lw; (2) n





njuncn pbng ue vns; (3) n de decng nund vd ny cn ken by pubc bdy n vn e open Meengs lw; nd (4) pssbe wd ney ees e pev-ng py n gn bug unde e open Meengs lw. G.S. §§ 143-318.16, 143-318.16a, 143-318.16B.

ii. EXEMPtioNS aND othEr lEGal liMitatioNS

a. Exempns n e pen meengs sue.

1. Cce exempns.

te open Meengs lw cnns ny nne pemed pupses gng n csed sessn. in Advance Publications v. City o ElizabethCity, 53 N.C. app 504, 506, 281 S.E.2d 69, 70 (1981), e N C-n Cu appes ed e N Cn Pubc recdslw s be bey cnsued n v pubc ccess, nd ed n News & Observer Publishing Co. v. Interim Board o Education or WakeCounty, 29 N.C. app. 37, 47, 223 S.E.2d 580 (1976), excepns e open Meengs lw sud be scy cnsued. Boney Publishers Inc. v. Burlington City Council , 151 N.C. app. 651, 655, 566 S.E.2d 701,704 (2002) (“[E]xcepns e pen pen meengs ws mus be nwy cnsued.”).

. Gene specfc.

te ny “gene” exempn s G.S. § 143-318.11()(1), wcpems csed sessn peven dscsue nmn spveged cnden unde se ede ws nmn s n cnsdeed pubc ecd unde e menng Cpe132 e Gene Sues.

b. Mndy dsceny csue.

Ms exempns e dsceny. te ny me pubc bdy cud be required g n csed sessn wud be pec su-y cnden nmn suc s pesnne suden ecds.

2. Descpn ec exempn.

te pemed pupses csng sessn e:

. Confdential and Privileged Inormation. a pubc bdy my cse meeng peven dscsue nmn s pveged cn-den unde se ede ws nmn s n cnsd-

eed pubc ecd unde e menng Cpe 132 e GeneSues. G.S. § 143-318.11()(1).

. Honoraria. a pubc bdy my cse meeng peven e pe-mue dscsue n ny degee, scsp, pze smwd. G.S. § 143-318.11()(2).

. Attorney-Client Privilege. a pubc bdy my cse sessn cnsu w n ney w egd e ndng seemen cm, judc cn dmnsve pcedue. te ems seemen (e n medc mpcce cse) ppved n csed sessn mus be eped nd eneed n e mnues “s sns pssbe wn esnbe me e e seemen s cncuded.” te sue expcy ses nng n s secn s be cn-sued pem pubc bdy cse sessn smpy becuse sney s pesen. te w s eques evey mn cse

meeng unde s pvsn mus eeence e wsu nd e p-es bu wc wm e pubc bdy expecs eceve dvce.G.S. § 143-318.11()(3).

a UNC insue Gvenmen Pess s cuned pubcbdes gns ncusn d pes n csed sessns ced un-de s pvsn: “Cun sud be execsed, weve, n wngsmene w s n n empyee c e eny end csed sessn ed pec e ney-cen pvege. te pes-ence n usde, even smene suc s cnsun e gven-men eny, mg desy e ney-cen pvege e mee-ng nd us mke e csed sessn nvd.” open Meengs ndlc Gvenmens n N Cn, (6 Ed. 2002).

ts pvsn ws e e wsu wen e NCn Cu appes n 2000. Multimedia Pub. o North Caro Inc. v. Henderson County, 136 N.C. app. 567, 525 S.E.2d 786 (200 a cuny cmmssn me n csed sessn w e ney wegd ppsed mum n cnsucn new cee cmmssn cme u csed sessn nd ved, wu dscsn, pss e mum. te c newsppe bjeced csed sessn nd equesed cpes e mnues m e sess te cu und nng mppe bu e csed sessn dd n even ddess e ppe’s eques mnues. te cu

e ney-cen exempn ws nwe n e cmmsuged nd bde n e newsppe uged. addny, e c we “nwsndng e cunevng pcy vng cdeny beween neys nd cens,” exempns e o Meengs lw mus be cnsued nwy. te “egsue spcy bdden gene pcy mes m beng dscussed ducsed sessns,” e cu we, nd qung n azn cse, “’pc bdes cnn smpy deege espnsbes neys nd ck negns nd csed sessns n sececy by vng npesen.’” te ny specc gudnce e pnn gve ws by wyexmpe: “tus, dscussns egdng e dng, psng, scnd menng ppsed encmens wud be pemssbe duncsed sessn. Dscussns egdng e cnsuny nd psbe eg cenges wud kewse be s ncuded. Bu s sndscussns mve beynd eg ecnces nd n e pp

nd mes ppsed encmens, e eg juscn cse sessn ends.”

Ms mpny, e cu ddesses buden p. recgnz “equng pn ped nd pve specc cs egdeged vns e kng pce n sece s ccu mpsby,” e Cu pced e buden n e pubc bdy esbe vdy e csue. te cu we n meeng s bud“gvenmen bdes my n smpy e e wds ‘ney-cpvege’ ‘eg dvce’ s sme smn, e mee uence wc mgcy css spe sececy ve e meengs. ae‘e ncnn n ney-cen ne s n n bcd wc s Cu mus dee judgmen.’” te pubc bdy mcme wd w “bjecve ndc” e excepn s jusn meey ey n ssens by e pubc bdy s wyes.

ae emnd nd secnd ppe, e Cu appes undmnues wee sucen. Fwng e Multimedia cse, Pelwence we exensvey bu w usde pes mg be pen csed sessn: “i usde pes e pesen, e cnven s pe se n cnden, nd csed sessn my n be teee, s cuc e pubc bdy nd s ney be cbu w s wed n e m we e csed sessn s n pess.” Dvd M. lwence, Csed Sessn Unde e aney-CPvege, lc Gv’ lw Buen, ap 2002, 3-4.

v. Industry/Business Expansion. a pubc bdy my dscuss mes eng e cn expnsn nduses busnese e n csed sessn. Fwng e N Cn SupeCu’s decsn n Maready v. City o Winston-Salem, 342 N.C. 7467 S.E.2d 615 (1996), e Gene assemby mended e exemp mke ce ws dscussn bu n n decsns

cns be ken n csed sessn. te w nw pvdes pubbdy my mee “ dscuss mes eng e cn expsn nduses e busnesses n e e seved by e pubbdy, ncudng geemen n enve s ecnmc devemen ncenves my be eed by e pubc bdy n negns. te cn ppvng e sgnng n ecnmc devepmcnc cmmmen, e cn uzng e pymenecnmc devepmen expendues, s be ken n n pen sn.” G.S. § 143-318.11()(4).

v. Real Estate Acquisitions and Employment Contracts . a pubc bmy mee n csed sessn only esbs ( nsuc s gecncenng) s psn w egd negng () e price





material terms e ppey cqusn () e cmpensn e me ems n empymen cnc. G.S. § 143-318.11()(5). a Cu appes decsn ed ny ssues w be neg-ed eed e ese nscns my be wed m pubcdscsue nd dny e cn, nended use nd wne nd unde cnsden wud n be exemp m dscsue. BoneyPublishers, Inc. v. Burlington City Council , 151 N.C. app. 651, 656, 566S.E.2d 701, 705 (2002).

v. Specifc personnel and employee issues . a pubc bdy my cnsde

e qucns cndns n empymen nvesgecmpns cges gns n ndvdu pubc ce empyee csed sessn. Fn cn n ese ssues mus be ken npen meeng. Gene pesnne ssues my n be cnsdeed n csed sessn, nd pubc bdy my ny ddess ng vcncy n e pubc bdy dung n pen meeng. G.S. § 143-318.11()(6).a Me Cuny cu und e Vge Wspeng PnesVge Cunc d ved e w by dscussng nd cmng cn-sensus n csed sessn bu ng new ce pce wu my kng cn n pen sessn. Stout v. Village o Whispering Pines , Cse N. 04 CVS 0494 (Me C. Sup. C. 2005).

v. Criminal misconduct . a pubc bdy my pn, cnduc, eceveeps egdng nvesgns eged cmn cnduc. G.S. §143-318.11()(7).

v. Emergency response plans. a c bd educn my -mue pns eng emegency espnse ncdens scvence. G.S. § 143-318.11()(8).

x. Public saety. a pubc bdy my dscuss nd ke cn egd-ng pns pec pubc sey s ees exsng penes cvy nd my eceve bengs by s membes, egcunse, w encemen emegency sevce cs cncenngcns ken be ken espnd suc cvy. G.S. § 143-318.11()(9).

B. any e suy equemens csed pen meengs.

Nne.

C. Cu mnded penng, csng.

N decsns excep n cnex open Meengs lw.

iii. MEEtiNG CatEGoriES -- oPEN or CloSED.

a. adjudcns by dmnsve bdes.

Pubc bdes subjec e Execuve Budge ac (G.S. § 143-1 et seq.) execsng “qus-judc uncns” dung sessn ed se-y e pupse mkng decsn n n djudcy cn pceedng e n subjec e open Meengs lw. G.S. § 143-318.18(7).

1. Debens csed, bu n c-fndng.

Debens e pen uness ey wn specc suy exempn.

2. ony cen djudcns csed, .e. unde cen sues.

Debens e pen uness ey wn specc suy exempn.

B. Budge sessns.

G.S. § 143-14 eques e pppns cmmees e huse repesenves nd e Sene “s jny n pen sessns wecnsdeng e budge.” te sme sue s cnns e n-guge mkng ce e pubc s my end meengs epppn subcmmees. a “budge sessns” e pubcbdes mus be pubc pusun e open Meengs lw.

C. Busness nd ndusy ens.

a pubc bdy my mee n csed sessn “dscuss” e cn expnsn nduses busnesses wn e e seved by epubc bdy. G.S. § 143-318.11()(4). hweve, n decsns c-ns cnn be ken n csed sessn.

D. Fede pgms.

te open Meengs lw pems pubc bdy mee n csedsessn pec nmn ede w decs be kep cn-

den. G.S. § 143-318.11()(1).E. Fnnc d pubc bdes.

Fnnc d pubc bdes s me pubc ecd pusun e Pubc recds lw, nd nng n e open Meengs lw pems eques suc d be e subjec csed meeng.

F. Fnnc d, de seces ppey d pve cpns nd ndvdus.

te open Meengs lw mkes n eeence dscussns ny ese pcs. hweve, pubc bdy cud g n csed sessn n pen sessn wud eve nmn s de sece undeG.S. § 132-1.2.

G. Gs, uss nd ny degees.

Pubc bdes my mee n csed sessn “cnsde nd u-ze” e ccepnce cen gs, nd cse e ecpens ns, wds, ny degees, nd e ke. G.S. § 143-318.11()(2).

h. Gnd juy esmny by pubc empyees.

a gnd juy pceedngs e exemp m e open Meengslw. G.S. § 143-318.18(1). in ddn, G.S. § 15a-623 pvdes dung gnd juy pceedngs, n ne s be dmed e gnd juy m excep (1) membes e gnd juy; (2) e wness bengexmned; (3) n nepee, needed; nd (4) w encemen -ce dng wness n cusdy. a pesns dmed e gnd juy m, e n wness, mus s ke n keep epceedngs sece; bec e s punsbe s cnemp.

i. lcensng exmnns.Pessn censng bds e exemp m e open Meengs

lw “we pepng, ppvng, dmnseng, gdng exmn-ns.” G.S. § 143-318.18(6).

J. lgn; pendng gn e ney-cen pveges.

a pubc bdy my cse sessn cnsu w n ney wegd e ndng seemen cm, judc cn d-mnsve pcedue. G.S. § 143-318.18(3). te ems see-men (e n medc mpcce cse) ppved cnsd-eed n csed sessn mus be eped nd eneed n e mnues“s sn s pssbe wn esnbe me e e seemen scncuded.” te sue expcy ses nng n s secns be cnsued pem pubc bdy cse sessn smpy be-

cuse s ney s pesen. te w s eques evey mn cse meeng unde s pvsn mus eeence e wsu nde pes bu wc wm e pubc bdy expecs ecevedvce.

te ssue csed sessns cnsu w eg cunse ws ee N Cn Cu appes cse. Multimedia Pub. o North Carolina Inc. v. Henderson County, 136 N.C. app. 567, 525 S.E.2d786 (2000). a cuny cmmssn me n csed sessn w eney w egd ppsed mum n cnsucn new cecks; e cmmssn cme u csed sessn nd ved, wu dscussn, pss e mum. te c newsppe b- jeced e csed sessn nd equesed cpes e mnues me sessn. te cu und nng mppe bu e csed





sessn nd dd n even ddess e ppe’s eques mnues. tecu und e ney-cen exempn ws nwe n ecmmssn uged nd bde n e newsppe uged. addn-y, e cu we “nwsndng e cunevng pcy vng cndeny beween neys nd cens,” exempns e open Meengs lw mus be cnsued nwy. te “egsues expcy bdden gene pcy mes m beng dscusseddung csed sessns,” e cu we, nd qung n azn cse,“’pubc bdes cnn smpy deege espnsbes neysnd en ck negns nd csed sessns n sececy by vng

neys pesen.’” te ny specc gudnce e pnn gve wsby wy exmpe: “tus, dscussns egdng e dng, ps-ng, scpe, nd menng ppsed encmens wud be pemssbedung csed sessn. Dscussns egdng e cnsuny nd pssbe eg cenges wud kewse be s ncuded. Bu ssn s dscussns mve beynd eg ecnces nd n e p-pey nd mes ppsed encmens, e eg juscn csng e sessn ends.”

Ms mpny, e cu ddesses buden p. recgnzng “equng pn ped nd pve specc cs egdngeged vns e kng pce n sece s ccu mps-sby,” e cu pced e buden n e pubc bdy esbse vdy e csue. te cu we n meeng s buden,“gvenmen bdes my n smpy e e wds ‘ney-cen pvege’ ‘eg dvce’ s sme smn, e mee uence wc mgcy css spe sececy ve e meengs. ae ,‘e ncnn n ney-cen ne s n n bcdb wc s Cu mus dee judgmen.’” te pubc bdy mus cme wd w “bjecve ndc” e excepn s jused,n meey ey n ssens by e pubc bdy s wyes.

on emnd, e cu exmned e mnues m e meengnd und d been mppey csed. ae emnd nd sec-nd ppe, e Cu appes und e mnues wee sucen.

K. Negns nd cecve bgnng pubcempyees.

N ppcbe. in N Cn, pubc empyees e pbedby w m enggng n cecve bgnng.

1. any sessns egdng cecve bgnng.


2. ony se beween e pubc empyees nd epubc bdy.


l. Pe bd meengs, meengs nvvng pebd decsns.

te open Meengs lw cnns n exempn e speccpvsn eng e N Cn Bd Pes.

M. Pens; dscussns n ndvdu pens.

Unde G.S. § 143-318()(1), sessn mg be csed wuddscse cnden pen nmn. G.S. § 131E-97.

N. Pesnne mes.

a pubc bdy my cnsde e qucns cndns n- empymen nvesge cmpns cges gns n n-dvdu pubc ce empyee csed sessn. Fn cn nese ssues mus be ken n pen meeng. Gene pesnne s-sues my n be cnsdeed n csed sessn, nd pubc bdy mus ddess ng vcncy n e pubc bdy dung n pen meeng.G.S. § 143-318.11()(6). te w ws mended n 1994 emnee exempn pemng csed sessn dscussns ndependen cncs.

1. inevews pubc empymen.

insmuc s G.S. § 143-318.11()(6) pems pubc bdy mn csed sessn cnsde suc pesn bues s e qucns, cce, nd ness pspecve pubc ce epyee, seems ce ce--ce nevew e pupsssessng ese nd sm ccescs my ke pce n ppced csed sessn.

2. Dscpny mes, pemnce ecs pubc empyees.

te open Meengs lw expessy pvdes pubc bdy mmee n csed sessn cnsde e “pemnce” pubc epyee. a pubc bdy s my mee n execuve sessn envesge “ cmpn, cge gevnce” gns pubc empyee. G.S. § 143-318.11()(6). teee, e exen e bss pen dscpny cn my sem m suc c cmpn, suc dscpny mes my be dscussed n execusessn.

3. Dsmss; cnsdeng dsmss pubcempyees.

agn, G.S. § 143-318.11()(6), wc pems pubc bdy mn execuve sessn ssess e pemnce nd ness puce empyee, cey mpes e dsmss e emp

my be dscussed n execuve sessn. te sme secn s pvweve, “n cn mkng n ppnmen dscgeemv by pubc bdy . . . s be ken n n pen meeng.”

o. re ese negns.

te open Meengs lw, n G.S. § 143-318.11()(5), pempubc bdy mee n csed sessn esbs pce e m ems e ese cnc. once negns e cmpen uzn pucse ese ppey mus be gven pen meeng. tee s n uzn dscussng e dsps ppey n csed sessn. in n aney Gene pnn eeess n mn e e 1994 mendmens e open Meelw, e aney Gene’s ce k e psn “ pubdy my n wuy eseve csed sessn dscussns ndsucns s bu me ems ppey pucse cn

uness e pubc bdy nends, n gd , nege ve sems.” ocbe 17, 1994, 1994 Wl 1026170 (N.C.a.G.).

Fwng e 1994 aney Gene pnn, e Winston-Sa Journal bug w wsus cengng gvenmen bdes wdng nmn sud ve been pubc, nd e cus endeed deen ungs. in Piedmont Pub. Co. v. Surry Co. Med l. rep. (BNa) 1371 (N.C. Sup. C. 1995), e Suy CuCmmssn uzed n csed sessn e pucse pn ccs n ve pces ppey. te cu und, “tee wsequemen e bd d csed sessn w egd cn e pces descbed n e ppsed pn cncs,nmes e wnes, e nended use uses e ppes Deendns ve ed mke ny swng need de esbs, nsuc s cncenng, ny negng ps be ken upn ese specs e ppsed pn cncs.”

Piedmont Pub. Co. v. Kernersville Board o Aldermen, Cse N. 95 C5884 (Fsy C. Sup. C., 1996), e cu eced e ppesu, ndng e pubc bdy d n nees n keepng cden esseny nmn bu e ppsed nscn ue cumnn e pucse.

Ms eceny, e Cu appes ued n Boney Publishers InBurlington City Council , 151 N.C. app. 651, 657, 566 S.E.2d 701, (2002), “e nguge G.S. § 143-318.11()(5) des n pe pubc bdy deny e pubc ccess nmn wc s nme em subjec negn egdng e cqusn ppey. teee, we d pubc bdy, suc s deendee, my n eseve dscussn n csed sessn, unde e g G.S. § 143- 318.11()(5), mes eng e ems cn





cqusn e ppey uness se ems e me ecnc nd s cuy subjec negn.”

P. Secuy, nn nd/ se, budngs, pesnne e.

te open Meengs lw pems pubc bdy mee n csedsessn “dscuss nd ke cn egdng pns pec pubcsey s ees exsng pen es cvy nd e-ceve bengs by s membes, eg cunse, w encemen emegency sevce cs cncenng cns ken be ken

espnd suc cvy.” G.S. § 143-318.11()(9),

Q. Sudens; dscussns n ndvdu sudens.

te open Meengs lw des n ncude ny pvsn eng sudens, ug e “cc-” exempn wud pem pecn suden ecds. G.S. § 143-318.11()(1),

te quesn wee suden dscpny pceedngs e pub-c ws ged n DTH Pub. Corp. v. University o North Carolina at Chapel Hill , 128 N.C. app. 534, 496 S.E.2d 8, (1998). te Daily Tar Heel , e suden newsppe e Unvesy N Cn Cpe h, sued e Undegdue Cu ccess e Cu’spceedngs nd ecds. te Unvesy deended n e bss e Cu s n pubc bdy wn e menng e open Mee-ngs lw nd e ecds e exemp m dscsue pusun

e ede Fmy Educn rgs nd Pvcy ac, 20 U.S.C.§ 1232g. te cu und e Undegdue Cu ws pubc bdy subjec e open Meengs lw bu ws ened cnduc s nques n csed sessn pusun FErPa. teN Cn Cu appes med e cu’s ndngs n especs. Nng e 1994 cnges e denn pubc bdy,e Cu appes d e ube ndng e UndegdueCu subjec e open Meengs lw. “hee, e pes’ spu-ns demnse e Suden Bdy Pesden nd e Suden Cngess deve e uy ppn nd cnm Undegdu-e Cu membes m e Cnce, w n un deves s u-y n s me m e UNC-Ch Bd tusees. teCnce nd e UNC-Ch Bd tusees deve e u-y m e Bd Gvens e Unvesy N Cn(UNC) wc, n un, deves s uy m N.C. Gen.S. §§ 116-11(2) (1994) nd ace iX, Secn 8 u N CnCnsun. tus, e Undegdue Cu membes e cey ppned nd cnmed by se w e uzed d s undee ws s Se nd pusun e pces nd eguns UNC-Ch nd UNC.” Id. 11. hweve, e cu s und e pen wdw ede unds ws sucen esbs ede “equemen” scs n dscse suden ecds nd, eee, csed sessns wee jused mnn e cnden-y sudens bug bee e cu. Id. 12-13.

iV. ProCEDUrE For aSSErtiNG riGht oF aCCESS

a. Wen cenge.

1. Des e w pvde expeded pcedue

evewng eques end upcmng meengs? te N Cn open Meengs lw pvdes dec nd m-

mede ccess e cus by ny pesn w s bed m -endng meeng pubc bdy w ewse becmes we eened cu vn e open Meengs lw. teggeved pesn s n equed cmpn ppe e pubcbdy, exus ny dmnsve emedes, cmpy w ny e equemens peequses bee ng su.

2. Wen bed m endng.

any pesn cn e su cenge beng bed m endng meeng pubc bdy nd seek njuncve ee wng ccess e meeng.

3. t se sde decsn.

te open Meengs lw ws py seek vdnce ny cn ken n mppe csed sessn by ng su wn 45 dys e n dscsue e cn, ug n cu s veuned pubc bdy’s cn unde s pvsn. te N Cn Cu appes med cu decsn ndng vn eopen Meengs lw bu eusng vd e decsn mde n csedsessn n e bss e cu’s decsn cud ny be e- vesed n buse dscen nd n suc buse exsed. HBS v.

Cumberland Co. Bd. o Educ., 122 N.C. app. 49, 468 S.E.2d 517 (1996).4. F ung n uue meengs.

G.S. § 143-318.16 ws py seek mndy njuncve ee pbng uue vns e w.

B. hw s.

1. Wee sk ung.

N Cn s n m m pcedue, e n cu cn, encng bnng ungs cncenng e open Mee-ngs lw.

Expeence s pven e ms eecve nm emedy encemen e open Meengs lw s pubcy cncenng epubc bdy’s cuse cn, wc en seves gvnze pubc

pnn, embss pubc cs w pcpe n excudng epubc nd cnceng e wn cns, nd gve cm nd en-cugemen pubc cs w v penness.

. admnsve um.

N ppcbe.

(1). agency pcedue cenge.

N ppcbe.

(2). Cmmssn ndependen gency.

N ppcbe.

b. Se ney gene.

N Cn czens ced w n ppen vn eopen Meengs lw smemes seek nm sssnce m ese ney gene. We suc cuse my be epu, pcu-y n e cse gng fgn vn, me en pves be e n uy. in e s pce, e ney gene sn uy ssue “ungs” eng e open Meengs lw; eney gene meey ssues pnns, wc ve n gee ce w n e pnns ny e ney. Meve, e NCn aney Gene ssues m, wen pnns ny n e-spnse m equess m pubc cs pubc empyees.

c. Cu.

G.S. § 143-318.16 pvdes cu n ee dvsn eGene Cu Jusce s jusdcn ene mndy p-by njuncns enjn eened, ecung, cnnung vns e open Meengs lw. tus, sus seekng njuncveee my be ed n Dsc Cu n Supe Cu.

G.S. § 143-318.16a, wc ws dded e open Meengs lw by e Gene assemby n 1985, pvdes su seekng de-cy judgmen unde e open Meengs lw mus be ed nSupe Cu. in vew e ked sus bug pusun e open Meengs lw e key seek b n njuncn nd decy judgmen, sus bug ence e open Meengslw geney w be ed n Supe Cu.

Sus sng u open Meengs lw vns by c pub-c bdes, suc s cy cuncs, sc bds, nd bds cuny cmmssnes, sud be ed n e cuny n wc e pubc bdy cnducs s busness nd execses s jusdcn. Ms sus sng





u vns by se bdes sud be ed n e Supe Cu Wke Cuny, wee suc bdes geney cnduc e busness.

2. appcbe me ms.

tee s n me m se n e sue seekng ungn e ppey csed sessn seekng njuncve ee. a su bug unde G.S. § 143-318.16a(b), weve, mus be bug wn 45 dys e n dscsue e cn.

3. Cnens eques ung.

tee e n spec pedng equemens wsu bug pusun e open Meengs lw.

4. hw ng sud yu w espnse?

tee s n pescbed “espnse me” cmpnce w eopen Meengs lw. o cuse, pubc bdes e bged cmpy w s equemens e me meeng. i meeng ws edn vn e w, s cmmn pcce demnd ccess eu mnues e meeng n de evew w nsped. teCu appes s s ed ny mnues eg csed ses-sns my be wed m e pubc. “te pn nguge G.S. §143-138.10 eques csed sessn be cnduced n cmpnce w G.S. § 143-318.11 n de e mnues suc sessn be wed m pubc nspecn.” Boney Publishers Inc. v. BurlingtonCity Council , 151 N.C. app. 651, 659, 566 S.E.2d 701, 706 (2002). i

e eques mnues s dened, e nex sep s ng wsu.5. ae subsequen cncuen mesues (m

nm) vbe?

Beynd negn w e pubc bdy, e ny edess nopen Meengs lw vn s e ng wsu.

C. Cu evew dmnsve decsn.

1. W my sue?

te open Meengs lw pvdes “ny pesn” my nsue su seekng ee unde e open Meengs lw, G.S. § § 143-318.16nd 143-318.16(). te N Cn Cu appes decded n 2004 cse “ny pesn” des n ncude e gvenmen. Cityo Burlington v. Boney Publishers, Inc ., 166 N.C. app. 186, 600 S.E.2d872 (2004). te Cu appes geed nd und “[b]sed n

e pupse pmng penness n e dy wkngs pubcbdes, nd e pcy cnsden dscsue unde e c, ws e e cu w pubc bdy e dec-y judgmen cn n e nsn cse.” Id. 192, 600 S.E.2d 876 (nen puncun med). te Cy sug evew m eN.C. Supeme Cu wc, e beng nd gumen, ued dsceny evew d been mpvdeny gned. City o Bur-lington v. Boney Publishers Inc., 359 N.C. 422, 611 S.E.2d 833 (2005).

2. W e cu gve py e pedng?

te sue cnns pvsn cns bug unde eopen Meengs lw w be se dwn mmede eng nd subsequen pceedngs s be ccded py. G.S. § 143-318.16C.

3. P se pssby, dvsby.

aug pesn seekng ee unde e open Meengs lw sened pceed pro se, suc pcedue s geney n dvsbebecuse e pubc bdy nvby w be epesened by cunse.

4. W ssues w e cu ddess?

. open e meeng.

te cus ve e by ende mndy njuncve ee enjn cnnung vn e open Meengs lw. G.S. §143-318.16.

b. invde e decsn.

te cus ve e by dece nu nd vd ny cn kenby pubc bdy n vn e open Meengs lw. G.S. § 143-

318.16a. in mkng suc deemnn, e cu mus cnsdeeevn cs:

() e exen wc e vn eced e subsnce cenged cn;

() e exen wc e vn wed mpccess meengs pceedngs e pubc d end;

() e exen wc e vn pevened

ped pubc knwedge undesndng e pepbusness;

(v) wee e vn ws n sed ccuence ws p cnnung pen vns s aby e pubc bdy;

(v) e exen wc pesns eed upn e v e cenged cn, nd e eec n suc pesndecng e cenged cn vd;

(v) wee e cn ws cmmed n bd pupse evdng subveng e pubc pcy embdn s ace.

G.S. § 143-318.16a(c). te Cu appes cnsdeed nd ped ese cs n HBS v. Cumberland Co. Bd. o Educ., 122 N

app. 49, 468 S.E.2d 517 (1996). Smy, Supe Cu Juhwd Mnnng cnsdeed nd pped ese cs n BlaCounty Board o Educ. v. Bladen County Board o Commissioners , 05 C0461 (Bden C. Sup. C. 2005).

c. ode uue meengs pen.

te cus ve e by enjn eened vns ndcuence ps vns e open Meengs lw.

5. Pedng m.

te open Meengs lw des n pescbe eque ny p pedng m. hweve, cmpns ed pusun e o Meengs lw en ncude eques be eed s penexdny njuncve ee, n e nue w mndmu

6. tme m fng su.

te open Meengs lw des n pescbe ny me m ng su njuncve ee. hweve, G.S. § 143-318.16a pv su seekng decy ee nd vdnce cn kenn eg meeng mus be cmmenced wn y-ve (45) dwng e “n dscsue” e cn e su seeksve deced nu nd vd. i e cenged cn s ecded nmnues e pubc bdy, s “n dscsue” s deemed ccued n e de e mnues e s vbe pubc nspn; ewse, e de “n dscsue” s be deemnede cu.

7. W cu.

G.S. § 143-318.16 pvdes cu n ee dvsn Gene Cu Jusce s jusdcn ene mndy p

by njuncns enjn eened, ecung, cnnu vns e open Meengs lw. tus, sus seekng njuncee my be ed n Dsc Cu n Supe Cu.

G.S. § 143-318.16a pvdes su seekng decy jumen unde e open Meengs lw mus be ed n Supe Cin vew e ked sus bug pusun e o Meengs lw e key seek b n njuncn nd dec judgmen, sus bug ence e open Meengs lw genee ed n Supe Cu.

Sus sng u open Meengs lw vns by c pc bdes, suc s cy cuncs, sc bds, nd bds cucmmssnes, sud be ed n e cuny n wc e pubc b





cnducs s busness nd execses s jusdcn. Ms sus sngu vns by se bdes sud be ed n e Supe Cu Wke Cuny, wee suc bdes geney cnduc e busness.

8. Judc emedes vbe.

G.S. § 143-318.16 uzes e cus ene “mndy pby njuncns” enjn (1) eened vns eopen Meengs lw, (2) e ecuence ps vns, (3) cn-nung vns.

G.S. § 143-318.16a uzes e Supe Cu ene judg-men decng ny cn e pubc bdy ws “ken, cn-sdeed, dscussed, debeed” n vn e open Meengslw nd, upn suc ndng, dece ny suc cn nu nd vd.

G.S. § 143-318.16a(e) expessy escs cus m cnsdengny cenge n enced w jn esun pssed smpeesun ee use e Gene assemby wen c-enge s bsed n n eged vn e open Meengs lw.

9. avby cu css nd neys’ ees.

G.S. § 143-318.16B pvdes n ny su bug pusun e open Meengs lw, e cu my mke wen ndngs specy-ng e pevng py nd my wd esnbe ney ee be xed gns e sng py s p e cs. addny, ecu my de ny e ees ssessed be pd pesny “by ny ndvdu membe membes e pubc bdy und by e cu ve knwngy nenny cmmed e vn,”uness ndvdu sug nd wed e dvce eg cunse.

te cus ve pped s pvsn nd wded ney ees nseve nsnces. Fwng Cu appes ung e Outer Banks Sentinel ws ened eceve cpes ecds ey equesedm e twn Ky hwk, Womack Newspapers, Inc. v. Town o KittyHawk ex rel. Kitty Hawk Town Council , 181 N.C. app. 1, 639 S.E.2d 96(2007), e cu wded ms $100,000 n ney ees eppe. in HBS v. Cumberland Co. Board o Education, 122 N.C. app. 49,468 S.E.2d 517 (1996), e cu med n wd ney eesgns e deendn. Accord , Jacksonville Daily News v. Bd. o Educ.,113 N.C. app. 127, 439 S.E.2d 607 (1993); Piedmont Pub. Co. v. SurryCounty Board o Commissioners , 24 Med l. rep. (BNa) 1371 (N.C.

Sup. C. 1995). as cuny ne, e Supe Cu FsyCuny wded ney ees e deendn n n open Meengslw cn wen e cu und e deendn be e pevngpy. Piedmont Pub. Co. v. Town o Kernersville, Cse N. 95 CVS 5884,unpubsed pnn (Fsy C. Sup. C., 1996).

10. Fnes.

te N Cn open Meengs lw mkes n pvsn e mpsn nes e penes gns pubc bdes n-dvdu membes pubc bdes. hweve, e cu my de ny n ney ees ssessmen be pd pesny “by ny ndvdu membe membes e pubc bdy und by e cu ve knwngy nenny cmmed e vn,” uness ndvdu sug nd wed e dvce eg cunse.

11. oe penes.

te N Cn open Meengs lw mkes n pvsn e mpsn e penes gns pubc bdes ndvdumembes pubc bdes.

D. appeng n cu decsns.

1. appe ues.

appes m des nd decsns e Dsc nd SupeCus dny e ed n e N Cn Cu appes. incses spec sgncnce ugency, e ppen my pen eSupeme Cu N Cn, n s dscen, ccep e p-pe decy. Suc “bypss pens” e ey gned, bu n n p-ppe cse — suc s su njuncve ee seekng dmssn

n mpendng meeng pubc bdy — s pcedue mg enbe e gns bn denve nd mey ung.

2. tme ms fng ppes.

an ppe m judgmen de n cv cn mus be ken wn 30 dys e s eny. N.C.r. app. P. 3(c) (1997).

3. Cnc neesed mc.

Med nd pubc nees gnzns, suc s e N C-n Pess asscn, e N Cn asscn Bdcs-es, e amecn Scey Newsppe Eds, nd e repesCmmee Feedm e Pess equeny supp gns npubc ccess cses by ng amicus curiae bes, sng eg esec,nd e ke.

V. aSSErtiNG a riGht to CoMMENt.

a. is ee g pcpe n pubc meengs?

Ces nd wns, cuny bds cmmssnes, nd c bds educn mus pvde es ne ppuny pubc cm-men pe mn egu meeng e cunc. G.S. § 160a-81.1;G.S. § 153a-52.1; 115C-51.

te N Cn Depmen tnspn my desgnese gwy sysem ds n ddn se gwys desgnedby e U.S. Secey tnspn use by cen vecesny e pubc eng s ed e ppuny pubc e-ng s pvded n ec cuny ug wc e desgned gwy psses, e w weeks’ nce psed e cuuse nd pubsedn newsppe gene ccun n ec cuny ug wce desgned se gwy sysem d psses, nd cnsdens gven e cmmens eceved p e desgnn. G.S. §20-115.1

te insunce Cmmssne s ppve ny mege ecqusn cn dmesc nsue ny e pubc e-ng ed wn 120 dys e e equed semen s ed, nd ecmmssne s gve es 30 dys’ nce e eng epesn ng e semen, e nsue, nd suc e pesnss my be desgned by e cmmssne. a e eng, ny pesn wse nees my be eced by e eng s ve e g

pesen evdence, exmne nd css-exmne wnesses, nd e wen gumens; nd n cnnecn eew s be ened cnduc dscvey pceedngs ny me e e semen s ed w e cmmssne unde s secn nd n e sme mnne s speseny wed n e supe cus s se. G.S. § 58-19-15.

Pcedue medc, sp, den sevce cpn cnve sck ccden nd e nsunce cmpny sck e nsunce cmpny. Wn 20 dys ecevng pn cnve,e Cmmssne s pubs nce n ne me newsppes gene ccun n e cpn’s sevce e descbng enme e cpn, e nue e pn ed unde G.S. §58-65-131(d), nd e de ecep e pn. te nce sndce e Cmmssne w sc pubc cmmens nd dee pubc engs n e pn. te pubc engs mus be cm-peed wn 60 dys e ng e cnvesn pn. te wen

pubc cmmen ped w be ed pen un 10 dys e e s pubc eng. F gd cuse e Cmmssne my exend esedednes nce mxmum 30 dys. te Cmmssne spvde cpes wen pubc cmmens e aney Gen-e. a ppcns, eps, pns, e dcumens unde G.S.§ 58-65-131, G.S. § 58-65-132, nd G.S. § 58-65-133 e pubc e-cds uness ewse pvded n s Cpe. te Cmmssnes pvde e pubc w pmp nd esnbe ccess pubcecds eng e ppsed cnvesn e cpn. access pubc ecds cveed by s secn s be mde vbe es 30 dys bee e end e pubc cmmen ped. G.S. §§58-65-131(g) nd ().

Bee e Depmen Envnmen nd Nu resuces s-





sues pem e mnng nd, e wnes djcen nd sbe pvded nce nd n ppuny eques pubc eng e-gdng e ppsed mnng pen. G.S. § 74-50.

te Depmen he nd humn Sevces s d pub-c eng w e ppuny e submssn nd w-en pubc cmmens bee ssung cece pubc dvngegvenng cpeve geemen mng pyscns, sps, ndes e pvsn e ce sevces. G.S. § 90-21.27. G.S.§ 131E-192.4.

Bee e indus Cmmssn dps mxmum ees med-c cmpensn, mus d pubc eng n ee n 15dys e pubcn nce e eng nd mus be pen eceve wen cmmens es 30 dys un e pubc e-ng, wceve s e. G.S. § 97-26.

Bee e gnng ses cuvn eses pesns wesde n N Cn, ee s be pubc eng n e cuny wee e ppsed esed es nd mus wce pvde eg nce. te g cmmen e pubc eng s mped n e sue.G.S. § 113-202.

P dpn mendmen ny nd-use pn, e bdy cged w s pepn nd dpn s d pubc e-ng wc pubc nd pve pes s ve e ppuny pesen cmmens nd ecmmendns. Nce e eng s

be gven n ess n 30 dys bee e de e eng nd sse e de, me, nd pce e eng; e subjec e e-ng; e cn wc s ppsed; nd cpes e ppsed pn mendmen e vbe pubc nspecn desgned cen e cuny cuuse dung desgned us. G.S. § 113a-110.

P dpng ny ue pemneny desgnng ny e envnmen cncen, e Secey e Envnmen nd Nuresuces nd e Cs resuces Cmmssn s d pubceng n ec cuny n wc nds be eced e ced, wc pubc nd pve pes s ve e ppuny pesen cmmens nd vews. Nce e eng s be gven n ess n30 dys bee e de e eng nd s se e de, mend pce e eng, e subjec e eng, nd e cn be ken. te nce s specy cpy e descpn ee es envnmen cncen ppsed by e secey svbe pubc nspecn e cuny cuuse ec cuny eced. any suc nce s be pubsed es nce n ne news-ppe gene ccun n e cuny cunes eced es 30 dys bee e de n wc e pubc eng s scedued begn. any pesn w deses be ed suc pubc eng sgve nce ee n wng e secey n bee e s de se e eng. te secey s uzed se esnbeme ms e pesenn vews by ny ne pesn ny suc eng. te secey s pem nyne w s deses e wen gumen e semen w m n en ny ppsed pn ny me wn 30 dys wng e cncusn ny pubc eng wn suc ddn me s e my w by nce gven s pescbed n s secn. G.S. § 113a-115.

P dpng n mpemenn nd encemen pgm,

e c gvenng bdy ec cy n e cs e ed nmve ee nen s d pubc eng wc pubcnd pve pes s ve e ppuny pesen cmmensnd vews. Nce e eng s be gven n ess n 15 dysbee e de e eng, nd s se e de, me nd pce e eng, e subjec e eng, nd e cn wc s be ken. te nce s se cpes e ppsed mpemen-n nd encemen pgm e vbe pubc nspecn e cuny cuuse. any suc nce s be pubsed es nce n ne newsppe gene ccun n e cuny es 15dys bee e de n wc e pubc eng s scedued begn.G.S. § 113a-117.

te Se Bd Educn s pvde pubc engs, d-

eque nce suc engs, nd n ppuny cmmen vbe e gene pubc p e dpn e pces, pcedues, nd ues eguns eed e educn cd w spec needs. G.S. § 115C-110.

Wen e Gene assemby ncpes cy wn cudes wn s ey 50 pecen me e ey sny dsc, e gvenng bdy e cy wn s becex c e gvenng bd e sny dsc e Gen assemby pvdes s cn n e ncpn c nd

exsng sny dsc bd dps n esun pusuns secn. Upn dpn pemny esun, e cpsn e sny dsc bd s pubs nce e pubeng nce es 10 dys bee e eng n newsppegene ccun wn e sny dsc. ts nce s e me nd pce e eng nd s befy descbepupse. a e eng, e bd s e ny czen e sndsc e cy wn w wses spek e subjec pemny esun. G.S. § 130a-51.

a sny dsc bd s uzed esbs s znng uny pns e sny dsc n unde e cn e Ued Ses e se. te bd s d pubc eng bcmmen n e ppsed cen e znng e. a ncepubc eng mus be pubsed n newsppe gene ccun n e cuny es w mes, nd cpy e nce s

psed e cuny cuuse nd n ee e pubc pcee sny dsc. G.S. § 130a-55. Wen pen s been dssve snn sny dsc, ee s be pubc e te cuny bd cmmssnes s gve nce e eby psng nce e cuuse d e cuny cunnd s by pubcn n newsppe newsppes ccunge dsc es nce week u cnsecuve weeks. G.S130a-73.

Wen pen s been mde cece need, e Depmen he nd humn Sevces s ensue pubc es cnduced pce wn e pppe e sevce ee evew be cnduced s cmpeve; e ppnen ppsespend ve mn ds ($5,000,000) me; wen eques pubc eng s eceved bee e end e wen cmmped m n eced py, e gency deemnes e

s n e pubc nees. a suc pubc eng gumens mymde egdng e ppcn ppcns unde evew; nd pubc eng s ncude n ppuny ny eced pe pesen cmmens egdng e ppcns unde evew. G.131E-185.

Pns cds ed by e N Cn Depm tnspn n ee smpe bsue my be esed by e Depmen nem pubc ecen use pvded bee equng use, spnsng un c gvenmen s ed pueng n ccdnce w G.S. § 143-318.12 nd ned e wn pces nd bung e cd s swn n e cunysng e eng de, pce, nd me by s-css m e ddesses sed suc wnes n e cuny x bscs. a scp pubc cmmens pesened e eng mus ve b

sen e N Cn Depmen tnspn e equesng use e cd. G.S. § 136-44.36D.

te pppns cmmees e huse repesennd e Sene nd subcmmees ee s s jny n pen sns we cnsdeng e budge, nd xpyes e pesneesed n e esmes unde cnsden s be dmed we g be ed. G.S. § 143-14.

Upn ecep pen e nse we m ne bsn ne, e Envnmen Mngemen Cmmssn sd pubc eng n e ppsed nse e gvng esdys’ wen nce, ncudng e pcedue be wed by ny wsng subm cmmens n e ppsed we nse. G.143-215.22i.





a se gency mus ccep cmmens n nce ppsed ue-mkng pceedngs. G.S. § 150B-21.2. tee e excepns em-py ues n e cse emegences. G.S. § 150B-21.1.

Bee csng pubc d esemen wn cuny, e bd cmmssnes s s dp esun decng s nen cse e pubc d esemen nd cng pubc eng n equesn. te bd s cuse nce e pubc eng esn-by ccued gve u nd dscsue e ppsed cs-ng be pubsed nce week ee successve weeks bee e

eng. a e eng e bd s e neesed pesns wppe w espec wee e csng wud be demen e pubc nees ny ndvdu ppey gs. G.S. § 153a-241. Sm pvsns ppy csue cy sees nd eys. G.S.§ 160a-299.

any muncp gvenng bd desng nnex ey undee pvsns s P s s pss esun sng e nen e muncpy cnsde nnexn nd s cnduc pubcnmn eng. a pesns esden wnng ppey n eey descbed n e nce pubc eng, nd esdens e muncpy, s be gven e ppuny sk quesns ndeceve nswes egdng e ppsed nnexn. Ppey wnesnd esdens s s be ded e ppuny be ed epubc eng wc e ssue s decded. G.S. § 160a-49.

any cy nendng cee exe jusdcn s nme ndwne e eec e exensn exe jusdc-n nd e ndwne’s g pcpe n pubc engp dpn ny dnnce exendng e e exe- jusdcn. G.S. § 160a-360.

B. Mus cmmene gve nce nenns cmmen?

tee s n pvsn n e open Meengs lw. Ec sue p-vdng g pubc cmmen s s wn pvsns. See SecnV.a. bve.

C. Cn pubc bdy m cmmen?

tee s n pvsn n e open Meengs lw. Ec suepvdng g pubc cmmen s s wn pvsns. See Sec-

n V.a. bve. te pubc cmmen pvsns cy, cuny ndsc bds pem e bdes dp esnbe ues egdnge me wed pe speke, e desgnn spkesmen gups pepe kng e sme psn, nd pvdng e mnennce decum.

D. hw cn pcpn sse gs cmmen?


E. ae ee sncns unppved cmmen?


Sue

open recds

North Carolina General Statutes

Chapter 132. Public Records

§ 132-1. “Pubc ecds” defned.

() “Pubc ecd” “pubc ecds” s men dcumens, ppes,ees, mps, bks, pgps, ms, sund ecdngs, mgnec epes, eecnc d-pcessng ecds, cs, e dcumeny m-e, egdess pysc m ccescs, mde eceved pusun w dnnce n cnnecn w e nscn pubc busness by ny gency N Cn gvenmen s subdvsns. agency NCn gvenmen s subdvsns s men nd ncude evey pubcce, pubc ce c (Se c, eeced ppned), nsun,bd, cmmssn, bueu, cunc, depmen, uy e un gvenmen e Se ny cuny, un, spec dsc e pcsubdvsn gvenmen.

(b) te pubc ecds nd pubc nmn cmped by e gen-ces N Cn gvenmen s subdvsns e e ppey epepe. teee, s e pcy s Se e pepe my bn cp-es e pubc ecds nd pubc nmn ee mnm cs unessewse speccy pvded by w. as used een, “mnm cs” smen e cu cs epducng e pubc ecd pubc nmn.

§ 132-1.1. Cnfden cmmuncns by eg cunse pubcbd gency; Se x nmn; pubc enepse bng nm-n; addess Cnfdeny Pgm nmn.

() Cnden Cmmuncns. – Pubc ecds, s dened n G.S.132-1, s n ncude wen cmmuncns (nd cpes ee) ny pubc bd, cunc, cmmssn e gvenmen bdy e Se ny cuny, muncpy e pc subdvsn un gven-men, mde wn e scpe e ney-cen ensp by ny -ney--w sevng ny suc gvenmen bdy, cncenng ny cm gns n be e gvenmen bdy e gvenmen eny wcsuc bdy cs, cncenng e psecun, deense, seemen g-n ny judc cn, ny dmnsve e ype pceedng

wc e gvenmen bdy s py by wc s my be decy eced. Suc wen cmmuncn nd cpes ee s n be pen pubc nspecn, exmnn cpyng uness speccy mde pubcby e gvenmen bdy ecevng suc wen cmmuncns; pvded,weve, suc wen cmmuncns nd cpes ee s becmepubc ecds s dened n G.S. 132-1 ee yes m e de suc cm-muncn ws eceved by suc pubc bd, cunc, cmmssn egvenmen bdy.

(b) Se nd lc tx inmn. – tx nmn my n bedscsed excep s pvded n G.S. 105-259. as used n s subsecn, “xnmn” s e sme menng s n G.S. 105-259. lc x ecds cnn nmn bu xpye’s ncme eceps my n be dscsedexcep s pvded n G.S. 153a-148.1 nd G.S. 160a-208.1.

(c) Pubc Enepse Bng inmn. – Bng nmn cm-ped nd mnned by cy cuny e pubc eny pvdng uy sevces n cnnecn w e wnesp pen pubc enepse,

excudng ps, s n pubc ecd s dened n G.S. 132-1. Nngcnned een s nended m pubc dscsue by cy cuny bng nmn:

(1) t e cy cuny deemnes w be useu necessy sss bnd cunse, bnd undewes, undewes’ cunse, ng gences nvess pen nvess n mkng nmed decsns egd-ng bnds e bgns ncued be ncued w espec e pubc enepse;

(2) t s necessy sss e cy, cuny, Se, pubc enepse mnn e negy nd quy sevces pvdes;

(3) t s necessy sss w encemen, pubc sey, e pec-n, escue, emegency mngemen, judc ces n e pe-mnce e dues.





as used een, “bng nmn” mens ny ecd nmn,n weve m, cmped mnned w espec ndvdu cus-mes by ny wne pe pubc enepse, s dened nG.S. 160a-311, excudng subdvsn (9), nd G.S. 153a-274, excudngsubdvsn (4), e pubc eny pvdng uy sevces, excudngps, eng sevces pvdes w pvde e cusme.

(d) addess Cndeny Pgm inmn. – te cu ddessnd eepne numbe pgm pcpn n e addess Cndeny Pgm esbsed unde Cpe 15C e Gene Sues s n pubcecd wn e menng Cpe 132. te cu ddess nd eepnenumbe pgm pcpn my n be dscsed excep s pvded nCpe 15C e Gene Sues.

(e) Cned Subsnces repng Sysem inmn. – inmncmped mnned n e Cned Subsnces repng Sysem esb-sed unde ace 5E Cpe 90 e Gene Sues s n pubcecd s dened n G.S. 132-1 nd my be eesed ny s pvded unde ace 5E Cpe 90 e Gene Sues.

() Pesny idenbe admssns inmn. – recds mn-ned by te Unvesy N Cn ny cnsuen nsun, by e Cmmuny Ceges Sysem oce ny cmmuny cege, wccnn pesny denbe nmn m bu n ppcn d-mssn ne me cnsuen nsuns ne me cmmu-ny ceges s be cnden nd s n be subjec pubc dscsuepusun G.S. 132-6(). Nwsndng e pecedng senence, ny ee ecmmendn ecd cnnng cmmuncn m n eecedc te Unvesy N Cn, ny s cnsuen nsu-

ns, cmmuny cege, cncenng n ppcn dmssn ws n ened s suden s be cnsdeed pubc ecd subjec dscsue pusun G.S. 132-6(). Nng n s subsecn s nended m e dscsue pubc ecds d n cnn pesny denbenmn, ncudng ggeged d, gudenes, nsucns, summes, eps d n cnn pesny denbe nmn m wc s esbe edc ny pesny denbe nmn e ecdcnns. as used n s subsecn, e em “cmmuny cege” s s denedn G.S. 115D-2(2), e em “cnsuen nsun” s s dened n G.S. 116-2(4), nd e em “Cmmuny Ceges Sysem oce” s s dened n G.S.115D-3.

§ 132-1.2. Cnfden nmn.

Nng n s Cpe s be cnsued eque uze pubcgency s subdvsn dscse ny nmn :

(1) Mees e wng cndns:

. Cnsues “de sece” s dened n G.S. 66-152(3).

b. is e ppey pve “pesn” s dened n G.S. 66-152(2).

c. is dscsed unsed e pubc gency n cnnecn w ewne’s pemnce pubc cnc n cnnecn w bd, p-pcn, pps, ndus devepmen pjec, n cmpnce wws, eguns, ues, dnnces e Uned Ses, e Se, pc subdvsns e Se.

d. is desgned ndced s “cnden” s “de sece” e me s n dscsue e pubc gency.

(2) reves n ccun numbe eecnc pymen s dened n G.S.147-86.20 nd bned pusun aces 6a 6B Cpe 147 eGene Sues G.S. 159-32.1.

(3) reves dcumen, e numbe, psswd, ny e nmnmnned by e Secey Se pusun ace 21 Cpe 130a e Gene Sues.

(4) reves e eecncy cpued mge n ndvdu’s sgnue,de b, dves cense numbe, pn n ndvdu’s sc secu-y numbe e gency s se ems becuse ey e n ve egs-n dcumen.

(5) reves e se censed desgn pessn w s censedunde Cpe 83a Cpe 89C e Gene Sues s been sub-med pjec ppv () muncpy unde P 5 ace 19 Cpe 160a e Gene Sues () cuny unde P 4 ace18 Cpe 153a e Gene Sues. Nwsndng s exempn, muncpy cuny eceves eques dcumen submed

pjec ppv cnns e se censed desgn pessn wcensed unde Cpe 83a Cpe 89C e Gene Sues nd s ewse pubc ecd by G.S. 132-1 s w cpy e dcum wu e se e censed desgn pessn be exmned nd cpcnssen w ny ues dped by e censng bd unde Cpe 83Cpe 89C e Gene Sues egdng n unseed dcumen.

§ 132-1.3. Seemens mde by n be pubc gences, pufcs, pubc empyees; pubc ecds.

() Pubc ecds, s dened n G.S. 132-1, s ncude semen dcumens n ny su, dmnsve pceedng bn ns

gns ny gency N Cn gvenmen s subdvsns, sned n G.S. 132-1, n cnnecn w sng u suc gency’s cns, dues espnsbes, excep n n cn medc mpcgns sp cy. N gency N Cn gvenmen s dvsns, n ny cunse, nsunce cmpny e epesenve cn be suc gency, s ppve, ccep ene n ny seemenny suc su, bn pceedng e seemen pvdes s end cndns s be cnden, excep n n cn medc mpgns sp cy. N seemen dcumen seed unde subsecn s secn s be pen pubc nspecn.

(b) N judge, dmnsve judge dmnsve eng ces Se, n ny bd cmmssn, n ny b ppned pusu e ws N Cn, s de pem e seng ny semen dcumen n ny pceedng descbed een excep n e bss wen de cncudng (1) e pesumpn penness s vecmn vedng nees nd (2) suc vedng nees cnn be pe

by ny mesue s seng e seemen. Suc de s cuevedng nees nd s ncude ndngs c e suceny spe pem evewng cu deemne wee e de ws ppe.

(c) Excep cnden cmmuncns s pvded n G.S. 132e em “seemen dcumens,” s used een, s ncude dcum wc efec, wc e mde uzed n cnnecn w, e emscndns upn wc ny pceedngs descbed n s secn e cmpmsed, seed, emned dsmssed, ncudng bu n med cespdence, seemen geemens, cnsen des, cecks, nd bnk ds.

§ 132-1.4. Cmn nvesgns; negence nmn ecinncence inquy Cmmssn ecds.

() recds cmn nvesgns cnduced by pubc wcemen gences, ecds cmn negence nmn cmpepubc w encemen gences, nd ecds nvesgns cnducee N Cn inncence inquy Cmmssn, e n pubc ecd

dened by G.S. 132-1. recds cmn nvesgns cnduced by puw encemen gences ecds cmn negence nmn be eesed by de cu cmpeen jusdcn.

(b) as used n s secn:

(1) “recds cmn nvesgns” mens ecds ny nmn pens pesn gup pesns s cmpedpubc w encemen gences e pupse empng pe sve vns e w, ncudng nmn deved m wnes, by ess, suvence, nvesgs, cnden nmpgps, nd mesuemens.

(2) “recds cmn negence nmn” mens ecds mn pen pesn gup pesns s cmpby pubc w encemen gency n n e ncpe, pevenmn pssbe vns e w.

(3) “Pubc w encemen gency” mens muncp pce depmen, cuny pce depmen, se’s depmen, cmppce gency cmmssned by e aney Gene pusun G74E-1, e seq., nd ny Se c gency, ce, depmen, espnsbe nvesgng, pevenng, svng vns e

(4) “Vns e w” mens cmes nd enses e psebe n e cmn cus n s Se e Uned Ses nd nns s dened n G.S. 14-3.1.

(5) “Cmpnng wness” mens n eged vcm e pesn eps vn ppen vn e w pubc w enmen gency.

(c) Nwsndng e pvsns s secn, nd uness epbed by w, e wng nmn s be pubc ecds wn





menng G.S. 132-1.

(1) te me, de, cn, nd nue vn ppen v-n e w eped pubc w encemen gency.

(2) te nme, sex, ge, ddess, empymen, nd eged vn w pesn esed, cged, ndced.

(3) te ccumsnces suundng n es, ncudng e me ndpce e es, wee e es nvved essnce, pssessn use wepns, pusu, nd descpn ny ems sezed n cn-necn w e es.

(4) te cnens “911” nd e emegency eepne cs ecevedby n be pubc w encemen gences, excep suc cn-ens eve e nme, ddess, eepne numbe, e nm-n my deny e ce, vcm, wness.

(5) te cnens cmmuncns beween mng empyees pubc w encemen gences e bdcs ve e pubc - wys.

(6) te nme, sex, ge, nd ddess cmpnng wness.

(d) a pubc w encemen gency s empy wd e nme ddess cmpnng wness eese e nmn s esnby key pse e e men e, pysc e, pesn sey e cmpnng wness mey cmpmse cnnung uuecmn nvesgn cmn negence pen. inmn emp-y wed unde s subsecn s be mde vbe eese epubc n ccdnce w G.S. 132-6 s sn s e ccumsnces jusy wdng cese exs. any pesn dened ccess nmn wedunde s subsecn my ppy cu cmpeen jusdcn nde cmpeng dscsue e nmn. in suc cn, e cu sbnce e neess e pubc n dscsue gns e neess e w encemen gency nd e eged vcm n wdng e nmn.acns bug pusun s subsecn s be se dwn mmedeeng, nd subsequen pceedngs n suc cns s be ccded py by e nd ppee cus.

(e) i pubc w encemen gency beeves eese nmn s pubc ecd unde subdvsns (c)(1) ug (c)(5) s secnw jepdze e g e Se psecue deendn e g deendn eceve w undemne n ngng uue nves-gn, my seek n de m cu cmpeen jusdcn peven dscsue e nmn. in suc cn e w encemen gency sve e buden swng by pepndence e evdence dscsue e nmn n quesn w jepdze e g e Se psecue

deendn e g deendn eceve w undemnen ngng uue nvesgn. acns bug pusun s subsecns be se dwn mmede eng, nd subsequen pceedngs n succns s be ccded py by e nd ppee cus.

() Nng n s secn s be cnsued s uzng ny pubcw encemen gency pb peven ne pubc gency vngcusdy pubc ecd m pemng e nspecn, exmnn, cpyng suc pubc ecd n cmpnce w G.S. 132-6. te use pubc ecd n cnnecn w cmn nvesgn e geng cmn negence s n ec s sus s pubc ecd.

(g) Dscsue ecds cmn nvesgns nd cmn ne-gence nmn ve been nsmed dsc ney eney uzed psecue vn w s be gvened by ssecn nd Cpe 15a e Gene Sues.

() Nng n s secn s be cnsued s equng w ence-

men gences dscse e wng:

(1) inmn wud n be equed be dscsed unde Cp-e 15a e Gene Sues;

(2) inmn s esnby key deny cnden n-mn.

() lw encemen gences s n be equed mnn ny pe ecdngs “911” e cmmuncns me n 30 dys me me e c, uness cu cmpeen jusdcn des pnseed.

(j) Wen nmn s n pubc ecd unde e pvsns s secn s deeed m dcumen, pe ecdng, e ecd, ew encemen gency s mke ce deen s been mde. N-

ng n s subsecn s uze e desucn e gn ecd.

(k) te wng cu ecds e pubc ecds nd my be wedny wen seed by cu de: es nd sec wns ve beeneuned by w encemen gences, ndcmens, cmn summns, ndnnesmn dencn des.

() recds nvesgns eged cd buse s be gvened by ace 29 Cpe 7B e Gene Sues.

§ 132-1.5. 911 dbse.

aumc numbe dencn nd umc cn dencn n-mn cnsss e nme, ddess, nd eepne numbes eepnesubscbes, e e-m ddesses subscbes n eecnc emegency ncn evese 911 sysem, s cnned n cuny muncp911 dbse, n cuny muncp eepnc eecnc emegency ncn evese 911 sysem, s cnden nd s n pubc ecd sdened by Cpe 132 e Gene Sues nmn s equed be cnden by e geemen w e eepne cmpny by wce nmn ws bned. Dssemnn e nmn cnned ne 911, eecnc emegency ncn evese 911 sysem, umcnumbe nd umc cn dbse s pbed excep n c-by-cbss ny e pupse ndng emegency cs nng, ndny pemnen ecd e nmn s be secued by e pubc sey nsweng pns nd dspsed n mnne wc w en secuy excep s ewse equed by ppcbe w.

§ 132-1.6. Emegency espnse pns.

Emegency espnse pns dped by cnsuen nsun te Un- vesy N Cn, cmmuny cege, pubc sp s denedn G.S. 159-39 nd e ecds eed e pnnng nd devepmen ese emegency espnse pns e n pubc ecds s dened by G.S. 132-1nd s n be subjec nspecn nd exmnn unde G.S. 132-6.

§ 132-1.7. Sensve pubc secuy nmn.

() Pubc ecds, s dened n G.S. 132-1, s n ncude nm-n cnnng specc des pubc secuy pns nd ngemens e deed pns nd dwngs pubc budngs nd nsucue ces.

(b) Pubc ecds s dened n G.S. 132-1 d n ncude pns peven espnd es cvy, e exen suc ecds se vuneby nd sk ssessmens, pen ges, specc ccs, speccsecuy emegency pcedues, e dscsue wc wud jepdzee sey gvenmen pesnne e gene pubc e secuy ny gvenmen cy, budng, sucue, nmn sge sysem.

(c) inmn eng e gene dpn pubc secuy pnsnd ngemens, nd budgey nmn cncenng e uzn expendue pubc unds mpemen pubc secuy pns nd nge-mens, e cnsucn, envn, ep pubc budngs ndnsucue ces s be pubc ecds.

§ 132-1.8. Cnfdeny pgps nd vde ud ecd-ngs mde pusun upsy.

Excep s ewse pvded n G.S. 130a-389.1, pgp vde ud ecdng n c upsy s n pubc ecd s dened by G.S.132-1. hweve, e ex n c upsy ep, ncudng ny ndngsnd nepens peped n ccdnce w G.S. 130a-389(), s pubcecd nd uy ccessbe by e pubc. F pupses s secn, n cupsy s n upsy pemed pusun G.S. 130a-389().

§ 132-1.9. t pepn mes.

() Scpe. – a eques nspec, exmne, cpy pubc ecd ss pepn me s gvened by s secn, nd, e exen ssecn cnfcs w ny e pvsn w, s secn ppes.

(b) rg Deny access. – Excep s ewse pvded n s secn, cusdn my deny ccess pubc ecd s s pepnme. i e den s bsed n n ssen e pubc ecd s pepn me ws peped n ncpn eg pceedng s n cmmenced, e cusdn s, upn eques, pvde wen juscn e ssen e pubc ecd ws peped n ncp-n eg pceedng.

(c) t Pepn Me Peped n ancpn legPceedng. – any pesn w s dened ccess pubc ecd s scmed be pepn me ws peped n ncpn





eg pceedng s n ye been cmmenced my pen e cu pu-sun G.S. 132-9 deemnn s wee e pubc ecd s pepn me ws peped n ncpn eg pceedng.

(d) Dung leg Pceedng. –

(1) Wen eg pceedng s subjec G.S. 1a-1, rue 26(b)(3), subjec rue 26(b)(3) e Fede rues Cv Pcedue, py e pendng eg pceedng, ncudng ny ppes nd psjudgmen pceedngs, w s dened ccess pubc ecd s s cmed be pepn me pens e pendng pceedngmy seek ccess suc ecd ny by mn mde n e pendng eg

pceedng nd pusun e pcedu nd subsnve sndds ppy pceedng. a py e pendng eg pceedng my n decy ndecy cmmence sepe pceedng eese sucecd pusun G.S. 132-9 n ny e cu bun.

(2) Wen eg pceedng s n subjec G.S. 1a-1, rue 26(b)(3),nd n subjec rue 26(b)(3) e Fede rues Cv Pcedue, py e pendng eg pceedng, ncudng ny ppes nd psjudgmen pceedngs, w s dened ccess pubc ecd s scmed be pepn me pens e pendng egpceedng my pen e cu pusun G.S. 132-9 ccess suc ecd. in deemnng wee eque e cusdn pvdeccess ny pn e ecd, e cu e bun sppy e pvsns G.S. 1a-1, rue 26(b)(3).

(3) any pesn w s dened ccess pubc ecd s s cmed be pepn me nd w s n py e pendngeg pceedng wc suc ecd pens, nd w s n cng ncnce w s n gen ny py e pendng eg pceedng,my pen e cu pusun G.S. 132-9 deemnn s wee e pubc ecd s pepn me.

(e) Fwng leg Pceedng. – Upn e cncusn eg p-ceedng, ncudng e cmpen ppes nd psjudgmen pceed-ngs, , n e cse wee n eg pceedng s been cmmenced, upn eexpn ppcbe sues mns nd peds epse, ecusdn pubc ecd s s cmed be pepn mes pem e nspecn, exmnn, cpyng suc ecd ny w s ppcbe s pvdes.

() Eec Dscsue. – Dscsue pusun s secn ny pn pubc ecd s s pepn me, wee vuny pusun n de ssued by cu, ssued by n cen n dmnsve qus-judc eg pceedng, s n cnsue wve e g cm ny e dcumen ecd cnsues

pepn me.(g) t Pepn Mes t ae N Pubc recds. – ts sec-

n des n eque dscsue, uze cu eque dscsue, pepn me s n s pubc ecd s unde epvsns s Cpe exemped peced m dscsue by w by n de ssued by cu, by n ce n n dmnsve qus-judceg pceedng.

() Denns. – as used n s secn, e wng denns ppy:

(1) leg pceedng. – Cv pceedngs n ny ede Se cu.leg pceedng s ncudes ny ede, Se, c gvenmen dmnsve qus-judc pceedng s n expessy subjec e pvsns Cpe 1a e Gene Sues e Fede rues Cv Pcedue.

(2) t pepn me. – any ecd, weeve ced nd n

weve m, s pepn me wn e menng G.S. 1a-1, rue 26(b)(3), ny cmpbe me peped ny eeg pceedng, nd ny cmpbe me excnged pusun jn deense, jn psecun, jn nees geemen n cnnecn w ny pendng ncped eg pceedng.

§ 132-1.10. Sc secuy numbes nd e pesn denyng nmn.

() te Gene assemby nds e wng:

(1) te sc secuy numbe cn be used s pepeue udgns pesn nd cque sensve pesn, nnc, medc, ndm nmn, e eese wc cud cuse ge nnc pesn m n ndvdu. We e sc secuy numbe wsnended be used sey e dmnsn e ede Sc

Secuy Sysem, ve me s unque numec dene s been uexensvey deny vecn pupses nd e egme cnsu pupses.

(2) aug ee e egme esns Se nd c gvenmgences cec sc secuy numbes nd e pesn dennmn m ndvdus, gvenmen sud cec e nmny egme pupses wen equed by w.

(3) Wen Se nd c gvenmen gences pssess sc secunumbes e pesn denyng nmn, e gvenmsud mnmze e nsnces s nmn s dssemned ee

eny wn gvenmen exeny w e gene pubc.

(b) Excep s pvded n subsecns (c) nd (d) s secn, n g e Se s pc subdvsns, ny gen empyee gvmen gency, s d ny e wng:

(1) Cec sc secuy numbe m n ndvdu uness uby w d s uness e cecn e sc secuy nums ewse mpeve e pemnce gency’s duesespnsbes s pescbed by w. Sc secuy numbes cecen gency mus be eevn e pupse wc ceced nd sn be ceced un nd uness e need sc secuy numbesbeen cey dcumened.

(2) F, wen cecng sc secuy numbe m n ndvdusegege numbe n sepe pge m e es e ecds ewse pppe, n de e sc secuy numbe cme esy edced pusun vd pubc ecds eques.

(3) F, wen cecng sc secuy numbe m n ndvdupvde, e me p e cu cecn e sccuy numbe by gency, ndvdu, upn eques, w smen e pupse pupses wc e sc secuy numbebeng ceced nd used.

(4) Use e sc secuy numbe ny pupse e n e pse sed.

(5) (F ppcby de – See Ed’s ne) inenny cmmce ewse mke vbe e gene pubc pesn’s ssecuy numbe e denyng nmn. “idenyng nn”, s used n s subdvsn, s ve e sme menng s n G14-113.20(b), excep s n ncude eecnc dencn nbes, eecnc m nmes ddesses, inene ccun numbesene dencn nmes, pen’s eg sunme p mgedves cense numbes ppeng n w encemen ecds. iden

ng nmn s be cnden nd n be pubc ecd undeCpe. a ecd, w denyng nmn emved edcedpubc ecd wud ewse be pubc ecd unde s Cbu e denyng nmn. te pesence denyng nn n pubc ecd des n cnge e nue e pubc eci e pubc ecds equemens e me unde s Cpe,gency e Se s pc subdvsns s espnd puecds eques, even e ecds cnn denyng nmnpmpy s pssbe, by pvdng e pubc ecd w e dennmn emved edced.

(6) inenny pn mbed n ndvdu’s sc secuy numbeny cd equed e ndvdu ccess gvenmen sevces.

(7) reque n ndvdu nsm e ndvdu’s sc secuy nbe ve e inene, uness e cnnecn s secue e sc secunumbe s encyped.

(8) reque n ndvdu use e ndvdu’s sc secuy numbccess n inene Web se, uness psswd unque pesn decn numbe e uencn devce s s equed ce inene Web se.

(9) Pn n ndvdu’s sc secuy numbe n ny mes e med e ndvdu, uness se ede w equed sc secuy numbe be n e dcumen be med. a sc secunumbe s pemed be med unde s subdvsn my npned, n we n p, n pscd e me n equn envepe, vsbe n e envepe wu e envepe been pened.

(c) Subsecn (b) s secn des n ppy n e wngcumsnces:





(1) t sc secuy numbes e denyng nmn dscsed ne gvenmen eny s gens, empyees, cncs dscsue s necessy e ecevng eny pem s dues ndespnsbes. te ecevng gvenmen eny nd s gens, em-pyees, nd cncs s mnn e cnden nd exemp sus suc numbes.

(2) t sc secuy numbes e denyng nmn dscsedpusun cu de, wn, subpen.

(3) t sc secuy numbes e denyng nmn dscsed pubc e pupses pusun nd n cmpnce w Cpe

130a e Gene Sues.

(4) t sc secuy numbes e denyng nmn vebeen edced.

(5) t ceed cpes v ecds ssued by e Se regs nde uzed cs pusun G.S. 130a-93(c). te Se regs- my dscse ny denyng nmn e n sc secuy numbes n ny unceed v ecd.

(6) t ny ecded dcumen n e c ecds e egse deeds e cuny.

(7) t ny dcumen ed n e c ecds e cus.

(c1) i n gency e Se s pc subdvsns, ny gen empyee gvenmen gency, expeences secuy bec, s dened nace 2a Cpe 75 e Gene Sues, e gency s cmpy we equemens G.S. 75-65.

(d) N pesn pepng ng dcumen be ecded ed ne c ecds e egse deeds, e Depmen e Secey Se, e cus my ncude ny pesn’s sc secuy, empyexpye dencn, dves cense, se dencn, pssp, ceckngccun, svngs ccun, ced cd, deb cd numbe, pesn den-cn (PiN) cde psswds n dcumen, uness ewse expessy equed by w cu de, dped by e Se regs n ecds v- evens, edced. any n csng nsucn eques e ncusn pesn’s sc secuy numbe n dcumen be ecded s be vd.any pesn w ves s subsecn s be guy n ncn, puns-be by ne n exceed ve unded ds ($500.00) ec vn.

(e) te vdy n nsumen s beween e pes e nsu-men s n eced by e ncusn pesn nmn n dcumen ecded ed w e c ecds e egse deeds e De-pmen e Secey Se. te egse deeds e Depmen

e Secey Se my n ejec n nsumen pesened ecdngbecuse e nsumen cnns n ndvdu’s pesn nmn.

() any pesn s e g eques egse deeds cek cu emve, m n mge cpy n c ecd pced n eg-se deeds’ cu’s inene Webse vbe e gene pubc ninene Web se vbe e gene pubc used by egse deeds cu dspy pubc ecds by e egse deeds cek cu, epesn’s sc secuy, empye xpye dencn, dves cense, sedencn, pssp, ceckng ccun, svngs ccun, ced cd, deb cd numbe, pesn dencn (PiN) cde psswds cnned n c ecd. te eques mus be mde n wng, egby sgned by e equese, nd deveed by m, csme, eecnc nsmssn, deveed n pesn e egse deeds cek cu. te eques mus specy e pesn nmn be edced, nmn denes edcumen cnns e pesn nmn nd unque nmn denes e cn wn e dcumen cnns e sc secuy,

empye xpye dencn, dves cense, se dencn, pssp,ceckng ccun, svngs ccun, ced cd, deb cd numbe, pe-sn dencn (PiN) cde psswds be edced. te eques edcn s be cnsdeed pubc ecd w ccess esced e egs-e deeds, e cek cu, e s, upn de e cu. te eg-se deeds cek cu s ve n duy nque beynd e weneques vey e deny pesn equesng edcn nd s ve nduy emve edcn ny esn upn subsequen eques by n nd-vdu by de e cu, mpssbe d s. N ee w be cged e edcn pusun suc eques. any pesn w equess edcnwu ppe uy d s s be guy n ncn, punsbe by ne n exceed ve unded ds ($500.00) ec vn.

(1) Wu eques mde pusun subsecn () s secn, egse deeds cek cu my emve m n mge cpy n -

c ecd pced n egse deeds’ cek cu’s inene Web sevbe e gene pubc, pced n n inene Web se vbe e gene pubc used by egse deeds cek cu dspy pubcecds, pesn’s sc secuy dves cense numbe cnned n c ecd. regses deeds nd ceks cu my ppy pc cc-e ecgnn ecngy e esnby vbe ecngy cecds pced n inene Web ses vbe e gene pubc n de ,n gd , deny nd edc sc secuy nd dves cense numbes.

(g) a egse deeds cek cu s mmedey nd cnspcu-usy ps sgns ugu s e ces pubc vewng nd s m-medey nd cnspcuusy ps nce n ny inene Web se vbe e gene pubc used by egse deeds cek cu nce sng,n subsny sm m, e wng:

(1) any pesn pepng ng dcumen ecdn ngn e c ecds my n ncude sc secuy, empye xpyedencn, dves cense, se dencn, pssp, ceckng c-cun, svngs ccun, ced cd, deb cd numbe, pesndencn (PiN) cde psswds n e dcumen, uness expessy equed by w cu de, dped by e Se regs n ecds v evens, edced s n me n e s u dgs edencn numbe s ncuded.

(2) any pesn s g eques egse deeds cek cu emve, m n mge cpy n c ecd pced n egse deeds’ cek cu’s inene Web se vbe egene pubc n n inene Web se vbe e gene pubcused by egse deeds cek cu dspy pubc ecds,

ny sc secuy, empye xpye dencn, dves cense, sedencn, pssp, ceckng ccun, svngs ccun, ced cd, deb cd numbe, pesn dencn (PiN) cde psswdscnned n n c ecd. te eques mus be mde n wng nddeveed by m, csme, eecnc nsmssn, deveed npesn, e egse deeds cek cu. te eques mus specy e pesn nmn be edced, nmn denes edcumen cnns e pesn nmn nd unque nmn denes e cn wn e dcumen cnns e scsecuy, empye xpye dencn, dves cense, se denc-n, pssp, ceckng ccun, svngs ccun, ced cd, deb cd numbe, pesn dencn (PiN) cde psswds beedced. N ee w be cged e edcn pusun suc eques. any pesn w equess edcn wu ppe uy d s s be guy n ncn, punsbe by ne n exceedve unded ds ($500.00) ec vn.

() any eced pesn my pen e cu n de decngcmpnce w s secn. N by s ccue egse deeds cek cu s e gen ny cn eed pvsns ssecn ny cms dmges mg esu m sc secuy numbe e denyng nmn n e pubc ecd n egse deeds’ cek cu’s inene webse vbe e gene pubc n inene Web se vbe e gene pubc used by egse deeds cek cu.

§ 132-1.11. Ecnmc devepmen ncenves.

() assumpns nd Medges. – Subjec e pvsns s Cpe egdng cnden nmn nd e wdng pubcecds eng e ppsed expnsn cn specc busness ndus pjecs wen e eese se ecds wud use e pu-pse wc ey wee ceed, weneve pubc gency s subdvsnpems cs-bene nyss sm ssessmen w espec ecnmcdevepmen ncenves eed specc busness ndus pjec, e

gency s subdvsn mus descbe n de e ssumpns nd me-dges used n cmpeng e nyss ssessmen. ts descpn s pubc ecd nd s subjec pvsns s Cpe nd e w egdng pubc ecds.

(b) Dscsue Pubc recds requemens. – Weneve n gency s subdvsn s ppses, neges, cceps n ppcn ec-nmc devepmen ncenves w espec specc ndus busnesspjec, e gency subdvsn mus dscse ny nmn bnedby e gency subdvsn s subjec ws egdng dscsue pubcecds. in ddn, e gency subdvsn mus uy nd ccuey de-scbe e nsnces n wc cnden nmn my be wed mdscsue, e ypes nmn quy s cnden nmn,nd e meds ensung cnden nmn s n dscsed.





§ 132-1.12. lmed ccess denyng nmn mns p-cpng n c gvenmen pks nd ecen pgms.

() a pubc ecd, s dened by G.S. 132-1, des n ncude, s ny mn pcpng n pk ecen pgm spnsed by cgvenmen cmbnn c gvenmens, ny e wng n-mn s mn pcpn: () nme, () ddess, () ge, (v) de b, (v) eepne numbe, (v) e nme ddess mn pcpn’spen eg gudn, (v) ny e denyng nmn n n pp-cn pcpe n suc pgm e ecds eed pgm.

(b) te cuny, muncpy, nd zp cde esdence ec pcp-

ng mn cveed by subsecn () s secn s pubc ecd, w enmn sed n subsecn () s secn edced.

(c) Nng n s secn mkes e nmn sed n subsecn () s secn cnden nmn.

§ 132-1.13. Eecnc ss subscbes n cen nmed cespen nspecn bu n vbe cpyng.

() Nwsndng s cpe, wen un c gvenmen mnns n eecnc m s ndvdu subscbes, s cpe des n eque un c gvenmen pvde cpy e s. te s sbe vbe pubc nspecn n ee pned eecnc m bs e un c gvenmen eecs.

(b) i un c gvenmen mnns n eecnc m s ndvdu subscbes, e un c gvenmen nd s empyees nd -ces my use s ny: () e pupse wc ws subscbed ;

() ny subscbes n emegency e pubc e pubc sey; () n cse deen s, ny subscbes e exsence ny sm ss subscbe .

(c) ts secn ppes ny Wke nd Ydkn Cunes, e Cy reg, nd e twns apex, Cy, Fuquy-Vn, Gne, hy Spngs,Kngde, Msve, resve, Wke Fes, Wende, nd Zebun.

§ 132-2. Cusdn desgned.

te pubc c n cge n ce vng pubc ecds s be ecusdn ee.

§ 132-3. Desucn ecds egued.

() Pbn. – N pubc c my desy, se, n, ewsedspse ny pubc ecd, excep n ccdnce w G.S. 121-5 nd G.S.130a-99, wu e cnsen e Depmen Cuu resuces. W-eve unwuy emves pubc ecd m e ce wee s usuy kep,

es, deces, mues desys s be guy Css 3 msde-men nd upn cnvcn ny ned n ess n en ds ($10.00) nme n ve unded ds ($500.00).

(b) revenue recds. – Nwsndng subsecn () s sec-n nd G.S. 121-5, wen ecd e Depmen revenue s beencped n ny mnne, e gn ecd my be desyed upn e de e Secey revenue. i ecd e Depmen revenue sn been cped, e gn ecd s be peseved es ee yes. ae ee yes e gn ecd my be desyed upn e de eSecey revenue.

(c) Empymen Secuy Cmmssn recds. – Nwsndngsubsecn () s secn nd G.S. 121-5, wen ecd e Empymen Secuy Cmmssn s been cped n ny mnne, e gn ecd my be desyed upn e de e Cmn e Empymen Secuy Cmmssn. i ecd e Cmmssn s n been cped, e gn

ecd s be peseved es ee yes. ae ee yes e gnecd my be desyed upn e de e Cmn e Empymen Secuy Cmmssn.

§ 132-4. Dspsn ecds end fc’s em.

Weve s e cusdy ny pubc ecds s, e expn s em ce, deve s success, , ee be nne, e Dep-men Cuu resuces, ecds, bks, wngs, ees nd dcumenskep eceved by m n e nscn s c busness; nd ny sucpesn w s euse negec e spce 10 dys e eques mden wng by ny czen e Se deve s een equed suc pubcecds e pesn uzed eceve em s be guy Css 1msdemen.

§ 132-5. Demndng cusdy.

Weve s ened e cusdy pubc ecds s demnd m ny pesn vng eg pssessn em, w s w dee sme m. i e pesn w unwuy pssesses pubc ecds wu jus cuse euse negec 10 dys e eques mde n wby ny czen e Se deve suc ecds e wu cusdns be guy Css 1 msdemen.

§ 132-5.1. regnng cusdy; cv emedes.

() te Secey e Depmen Cuu resuces

desgned epesenve ny pubc c w s e cusdn puecds wc e n e pssessn pesn gency n uzed bycusdn by w pssess suc pubc ecds my pen e supecu n e cuny n wc e pesn dng suc ecds esdes wc e mes n ssue, ny p ee, e ced e eusuc pubc ecds. te cu my de suc pubc ecds be dev e pene upn ndng e mes n ssue e pubc ecds suc pubc ecds e n e pssessn pesn n uzee cusdn e pubc ecds by w pssess suc pubc ecde de devey des n eceve cmpnce, e pene my eq e cu ence suc de ug s cnemp pwe nd pcedu

(b) a ny me e e ng e pen se u n subsecn (cnempneus w suc ng, e pubc c seekng e eun pubc ecds my by ex pe pen eques e judge e cu n we cn ws ed gn ne e wng pvsn emedes:

(1) an de deced e se cmmndng m seze e m

s wc e e subjec e cn nd deve e sme e cunde e ccumsnces eene se ;

(2) a pemny njuncn pevenng e se, emv, dspsdesucn dmge suc pubc ecds pendng n judgmby e cu.

(c) te judge cu esd s ssue n de sezue g pemny njuncn upn ecep n dv m e pene weges e mes ssue e pubc ecds nd uness ne pvsn emedes s gned, ee s dnge suc mes ssd, seceed, emved u e Se ewse dspsed s s nbe cmng nswe e n judgmen e cu especng e s suc ppey my be desyed mey dmged njued sezed njuncve ee s n gned.

(d) te emenned de sezue pemny njuncn sssue wu nce e espnden nd wu e psng ny bn

e secuy by e pene.

§ 132-6. inspecn nd exmnn ecds.

() Evey cusdn pubc ecds s pem ny ecd ncusdn’s cusdy be nspeced nd exmned esnbe mes ndde esnbe supevsn by ny pesn, nd s, s pmpy s pssuns cpes ee upn pymen ny ees s my be pescbed by as used een, “cusdn” des n men n gency ds e puecds e gences sey pupses sge sekeepng s pvde d pcessng.

(b) N pesn equesng nspec nd exmne pubc ecds, bn cpes ee, s be equed dscse e pupse mvee eques.

(c) N eques nspec, exmne, bn cpes pubc ecs be dened n e gunds cnden nmn s cmmn

w e equesed nncnden nmn. i s necessy sepcnden m nncnden nmn n de pem e nsn, exmnn, cpyng e pubc ecds, e pubc gency s e cs suc sepn n e wng scedue:

Se gences e June 30, 1996;

Muncpes w ppuns 10,000 me, cunes w pns 25,000 me, s deemned by e 1990 U.S. Census,pubc sps n se cunes, e June 30, 1997;

Muncpes w ppuns ess n 10,000, cunes w pns ess n 25,000, s deemned by e 1990 U.S. Census, pubc sps n se cunes, e June 30, 1998;





Pc subdvsns nd e gences e n ewse cveed by s scedue, e June 30, 1998.

(d) Nwsndng e pvsns subsecns () nd (b) s sec-n, pubc ecds eng e ppsed expnsn cn speccbusness ndus pjecs my be wed s ng s e nspecn,exmnn cpyng wud use e pupse wc suc pubc e-cds wee ceed; pvded, weve, nng een s be cnsued pem e wdng pubc ecds eng gene ecnmc de-vepmen pces cves. once e Se, c gvenmen, especc busness s nnunced cmmmen by e busness expnd ce specc pjec n s Se n decsn n d s nd ebusness s cmmunced cmmmen decsn e Se cgvenmen gency nvved w e pjec, e pvsns s subsecnwng pubc ecds be wed by e gency n nge ppy. once epvsns s subsecn n nge ppy, e gency s dscse s sns pccbe, nd wn 25 busness dys, pubc ecds equesed e n-nunced pjec e n ewse mde cnden by w. an nnunce-men busness ndus pjec s cmmed expnd ce ne Se s n eque dscsue c gvenmen ecds eng e pjec e busness s n seeced specc cn wn e Se e pjec. once specc cn e pjec s been deemned,c gvenmen ecds mus be dscsed, upn eques, n ccdnce we pvsns s secn. F pupses s secn, “c gvenmen ecds” ncude ecds mnned by e Se ee c gven-men’s es c e pjec.

(e) te ppcn s Cpe s subjec e pvsns ace1 Cpe 121 e Gene Sues, e N Cn acves nd

hsy ac.

() Nwsndng e pvsns subsecn () s secn, enspecn cpyng ny pubc ecd wc, becuse s ge cnd-n cud be dmged dung nspecn cpyng, my be mde subjec esnbe escns nended peseve e pcu ecd.

§ 132-6.1. Eecnc d-pcessng ecds.

() ae June 30, 1996, n pubc gency s pucse, ese, ce-e, ewse cque ny eecnc d-pcessng sysem e s-ge, mnpun, eev pubc ecds uness s deemnes e sysem w n mp mpede e gency’s by pem e pubcnspecn nd exmnn, nd pvde eecnc cpes suc ecds.Nng n s subsecn s be cnsued eque e eenn by epubc gency bsee dwe swe.

(b) Evey pubc gency s cee n ndex cmpue dbses

cmped ceed by pubc gency n e wng scedue:Se gences by Juy 1, 1996;

Muncpes w ppuns 10,000 me, cunes w ppu-ns 25,000 me, s deemned by e 1990 U.S. Census, ndpubc sps n se cunes, by Juy 1, 1997;

Muncpes w ppuns ess n 10,000, cunes w ppu-ns ess n 25,000, s deemned by e 1990 U.S. Census, ndpubc sps n se cunes, by Juy 1, 1998;

Pc subdvsns nd e gences e n ewse cveed by s scedue, e June 30, 1998.

te ndex s be pubc ecd nd s ncude, mnmum, ewng nmn w espec ec dbse sed een: s ed eds; descpn e m ecd yu; nmn s eequency w wc e dbse s upded; s ny d eds wc

pubc ccess s esced; descpn ec m n wc e dbse cnbe cped epduced usng e gency’s cmpue ces; nd scedue ees e pducn cpes n ec vbe m. Eecnc dbsescmped ceed p e de by wc e ndex mus be ceed nccdnce w s subsecn my be ndexed e pubc gency’s pn.te m, cnen, nguge, nd gudenes e ndex nd e dbses be ndexed s be deveped by e oce acves nd hsy n cnsu-n w cs e pubc gences.

(c) Nng n s secn s eque pubc gency cee cm-pue dbse e pubc gency s n ewse ceed s n e-wse equed be ceed. Nng n s secn eques pubc gency dscse secuy eues s eecnc d pcessng sysems, nmnecngy sysems, eecmmuncns newks, eecnc secuy sys-

ems, ncudng dwe swe secuy, psswds, secuy sndds,pcedues, pcesses, cnguns, swe, nd cdes.

(d) te wng denns ppy n s secn:

(1) Cmpue dbse. – a sucued cecn d dcumensesdng n dbse mngemen pgm spedsee swe.

(2) Cmpue dwe. – any ngbe mcne devce uzed e eecnc sge, mnpun, eev d.

(3) Cmpue pgm. – a sees nsucns semens pe-m e sge, mnpun, nd eev d wn n eecncd-pcessng sysem, gee w ny ssced dcumenn. te em des n ncude e gn d, ny nyss, cmp-n, mnpued m e gn d pduced by e use epgm swe.

(4) Cmpue swe. – any se cmbnn cmpue pgms. te em des n ncude e gn d, ny nyss, cmp-n, mnpued m e gn d pduced by e use epgm swe.

(5) Eecnc d-pcessng sysem. – Cmpue dwe, cmpueswe, cmpue pgms ny cmbnn ee, egdess knd gn.

§ 132-6.2. Pvsns cpes pubc ecds; ees.

() Pesns equesng cpes pubc ecds my eec bn emn ny nd med n wc e pubc gency s cpbe pvdng em.

N eques cpes pubc ecds n pcu medum s be denedn e gunds e cusdn s mde pees mke e pubc e-cds vbe n ne medum. te pubc gency my ssess deen ees deen med s pescbed by w.

(b) Pesns equesng cpes pubc ecds my eques e cp-es be ceed unceed. te ees ceyng cpes pubc ecdss be s pvded by w. Excep s ewse pvded by w, n pubcgency s cge ee n unceed cpy pubc ecd exceedse cu cs e pubc gency mkng e cpy. F pupses ssubsecn, “cu cs” s med dec, cgebe css eed eepducn pubc ecd s deemned by geney cceped ccun-ng pncpes nd des n ncude css wud ve been ncued by epubc gency eques epduce pubc ecd d n been mde.Nwsndng e pvsns s subsecn, e eques s suc s eque exensve use nmn ecngy esuces exensve cec supevsy sssnce by pesnne e gency nvved, pducng

e ecd n e medum equesed esus n gee use nmnecngy esuces n esbsed by e gency epducn e vume nmn equesed, en e gency my cge, n dd-n e cu cs dupcn, spec sevce cge, wc s beesnbe nd s be bsed n e cu cs ncued suc exensveuse nmn ecngy esuces e b css e pesnnepvdng e sevces, gee use nmn ecngy esuces s cuy ncued by e gency bube e gency. i nyneequesng pubc nmn m ny pubc gency s cged ee eequese beeves be un unesnbe, e equese my sk e SeCe inmn oce s desgnee mede e dspue.

(c) Pesns equesng cpes cmpue dbses my be equed mke subm suc equess n wng. Cusdns pubc ecds s e-spnd suc equess s pmpy s pssbe. i e eques s gned, ecpes s be pvded s sn s esnby pssbe. i e eques s dened,e den s be ccmpned by n expnn e bss e den.

i sked d s, e pesn denyng e eques s, s pmpy s pssbe,educe e expnn e den wng.

(d) Nng n s secn s be cnsued eque pubc gency espnd equess cpes pubc ecds usde s usu busnessus.

(e) Nng n s secn s be cnsued eque pubc gency espnd eques cpy pubc ecd by ceng cmpng ecd des n exs. i pubc gency, s sevce e equese, vuny eecs cee cmpe ecd, my nege esnbecge e sevce w e equese. Nng n s secn s be cn-sued eque pubc gency pu n eecnc medum ecd sn kep n eecnc medum.





§ 132-7. Keepng ecds n se pces; cpyng epng; ce-fed cpes.

ins s pssbe, cusdns pubc ecds s keep em n ep ses, vus, ms ed w nncmbusbe mes nd n suc -ngemen s be esy ccessbe cnvenen use. a pubc ecdssud be kep n e budngs n wc ey e dny used. recd bkssud be cped eped, enved ebund wn, mued, dm-ged dcu ed. Weneve ny Se, cuny, muncp ecdse n need ep, esn, ebndng, e ed suc Se gency,depmen, bd, cmmssn, e bd cuny cmmssnes succuny, e gvenng bdy suc muncpy my uze eecds n need ep, esn, ebndng be emved m e bud-ng ce n wc suc ecds e dny kep, e eng meequed ep, ese, ebnd em. any pubc c w cuses ecd bk be cped s es nd s cey n s nccue cpy e gn bk. te cpy s en ve e ce egn.

§ 132-8. asssnce by nd Depmen Cuu resuces.

te Depmen Cuu resuces s ve e g exmne ne cndn pubc ecds nd s gve dvce nd sssnce pubccs n e sun e pbems pesevng, ng nd mkng v-be e pubc ecds n e cusdy. Wen equesed by e Depmen Cuu resuces, pubc cs s sss e Depmen n e pep-n n ncusve nveny ecds n e cusdy, wc s beced scedue, ppved by e ed e gvenmen un gency vng cusdy e ecds nd e Secey Cuu resuces, esb-

sng me ped e eenn dsps ec sees ecds.Upn e cmpen e nveny nd scedue, e Depmen Cu-u resuces s (subjec e vby necessy spce, s, nde ces suc pupses) mke vbe spce n s recds Cene e ng semcuen ecds s scedued nd n s cves nn-cuen ecds pemnen vue, nd s ende suc e sssnce sneeded, ncudng e mcmng ecds s scedued.

§ 132-8.1. recds mngemen pgm dmnseed by Dep-men Cuu resuces; esbsmen sndds, pcedues,ec.; suveys.

a ecds mngemen pgm e ppcn ecen nd ec-nmc mngemen meds e cen, uzn, mnennce, een-n, pesevn, nd dsps c ecds s be dmnseed by eDepmen Cuu resuces. i s be e duy Depmen, ncpen w nd w e ppv e Depmen admnsn, esbs sndds, pcedues, nd ecnques eecve mngemen

pubc ecds, mke cnnung suveys ppe wk pens, nd ecmmend mpvemens n cuen ecds mngemen pcces ncudnge use spce, equpmen, nd suppes empyed n ceng, mnnng,nd sevcng ecds. i s be e duy e ed ec Se gency nde gvenng bdy ec cuny, muncpy nd e subdvsn gv-enmen cpee w e Depmen Cuu resuces n cnduc-ng suveys nd esbs nd mnn n cve, cnnung pgm eecnmc nd ecen mngemen e ecds sd gency, cuny,muncpy, e subdvsn gvenmen.

§ 132-8.2. Seecn nd pesevn ecds cnsdeed essen;mkng desgnn pesevn dupces; ce nd eec du-pces cpes ee.

in cpen w e ed ec Se gency nd e gvenng bdy ec cuny, muncpy, nd e subdvsn gvenmen, e Dep-men Cuu resuces s esbs nd mnn pgm e se-

ecn nd pesevn pubc ecds cnsdeed essen e pen gvenmen nd e pecn e gs nd neess pesns, nd, wn e mns unds vbe e pupse, s mke cuse be mde pesevn dupces desgne s pesevn dupces exsngcpes suc essen pubc ecds. Pesevn dupces s be du-be, ccue, cmpee nd ce, nd suc dupces mde by pgpc,psc, mcm, mc cd, mnue pgpc, e pcess wc ccuey epduces nd ms dube medum s epducnge gn s ve e sme ce nd eec pupses s e gnecd wee e gn ecd s n exsence n. a nscp, exem-pcn, ceed cpy suc pesevn dupce s be deemed pupses be nscp, exempcn, ceed cpy e gn

ecd. Suc pesevn dupces s be peseved n e pce nd mn sekeepng pescbed by e Depmen Cuu resuces.

§ 132-9. access ecds.

() any pesn w s dened ccess pubc ecds pupsenspecn nd exmnn, w s dened cpes pubc ecds, ppy e pppe dvsn e Gene Cu Jusce n cmpeng dscsue cpyng, nd e cu s ve jusdcn suc des e pesn s cmped w G.S. 7a-38.3E. acns bupusun s secn s be se dwn mmede eng, nd suquen pceedngs n suc cns s be ccded py by e

ppee cus.

(b) in n cn cmpe dscsue pubc ecds wc ve b wed pusun e pvsns G.S. 132-6 cncenng pubc eceng e ppsed expnsn cn pcu busnesses nddus pjecs, e buden s be n e cusdn wdng e ec sw dscsue wud use e pupse cng pcbusness ndus pjec.

(c) in ny cn bug pusun s secn n wc py cessuy cmpes e dscsue pubc ecds, e cu s w pseekng dscsue pubc ecds w subsny pevs ecveesnbe neys’ ees bued se pubc ecds. te cu n ssess neys’ ees gns e gvenmen bdy gvenmen e cu nds e gvenmen bdy gvenmen un ceesnbe ence n ny e wng:

(1) a judgmen n de cu ppcbe e gvenmen

gvenmen bdy.

(2) te pubsed pnn n ppee cu, n de e NCn Busness Cu, n de e t Dvsn e Ge Cu Jusce.

(3) a wen pnn, decsn, ee e aney Gene.

any neys’ ees ssessed gns pubc gency unde s secn sbe cged gns e peng expenses e gency; pvded, we e cu my de ny pn ny neys’ ees ssessed be pd pesny by ny pubc empyee pubc c und bycu ve knwngy nenny cmmed, cused, pemed, sned, pcped n vn s ace. N de gns ny puempyee pubc c s ssue n ny cse wee e pubc emp pubc c seeks e dvce n ney nd suc dvce s we

(d) i e cu deemnes n cn bug pusun s

n ws ed n bd ws vus, e cu s ssess esnney’s ee gns e pesn pesns nsung e cn nd w e pubc gency s p e css.

(e) Nwsndng subsecn (c) s secn, e cu my nsess neys’ ees gns pubc sp ceed unde ace 2 C131E e Gene Sues e cu nds e cn ws bug n be cmpeng e ce pvde bnng nmbe used gn cmpeve dvnge.

§ 132-10. Qufed excepn gegpc nmn sysem

Gegpc nmn sysems dbses nd d es deveped peed by cunes nd ces e pubc ecds wn e menng Cpe. te cuny cy s pvde pubc ccess suc sysems by pc ccess emns e upu devces. Upn eques, e cuny s uns cpes, n dcumeny eecnc m, nyne equesem esnbe cs. as cndn unsng n eecnc cpy, w

e n mgnec pe, mgnec dsk, cmpc dsk, p-pc devccuny cy my eque e pesn bnng e cpy gee n w e cpy w n be esd ewse used de cmmec pses. F pupses s secn, pubcn bdcs by e news d, e ese de sscns, Mupe lsng Sevces peed byese de sscns s n cnsue ese use e d cmmec pupses nd use nmn wu ese by cenpessn n e cuse pccng e pessn’s pessn scnsue use cmmec pupse. F pupses s secn, escs by e ese de sscn Mupe lsng Sevces pee e ese de sscn s n cnsue ese use e dde cmmec pupses.





open Meengs

Article 33C. Meetings o Public Bodies

ace 33C.

Meengs Pubc Bdes.

§ 143-318.9. Pubc pcy.

Wees e pubc bdes dmnse e egsve, pcy-mkng,

qus-judc, dmnsve, nd dvsy uncns N Cn nds pc subdvsns exs sey cnduc e pepe’s busness, s epubc pcy N Cn e engs, debens, nd cns ese bdes be cnduced peny. (1979, c. 655, s. 1.)

§ 143-318.10. a fc meengs pubc bdes pen e pubc.

() Excep s pvded n G.S. 143-318.11, 143-318.14a, 143-318.15,nd 143-318.18, ec c meeng pubc bdy s be pen epubc, nd ny pesn s ened end suc meeng.

(b) as used n s ace, “pubc bdy” mens ny eeced ppneduy, bd, cmmssn, cmmee, cunc, e bdy e Se, ne me cunes, ces, sc dmnsve uns, cnsuen ns-uns te Unvesy N Cn, e pc subdvsns pubc cpns n e Se () s cmpsed w me membesnd () execses s uzed execse egsve, pcy-mkng, qus-judc, dmnsve, dvsy uncn. in ddn, “pubc bdy” mens

e gvenng bd “pubc sp” s dened n G.S. 159-39 nd egvenng bd ny nnp cpn wc sp cy sbeen sd cnveyed pusun G.S. 131E-8, ny subsdy suc nn-p cpn, nd ny nnp cpn wnng e cpn wc e sp cy s been sd cnveyed.

(c) “Pubc bdy” des n ncude () meeng sey mng e p-essn s pubc bdy, () e medc s pubc sp e medc s sp s been sd cnveyed pusun G.S.131E-8.

(d) “oc meeng” mens meeng, ssemby, geng gee ny me pce e smuneus cmmuncn by cneence ee-pne e eecnc mens mjy e membes pubc bdy e pupse cnducng engs, pcpng n debens, vngupn ewse nscng e pubc busness wn e jusdcn, e ppen, e pubc bdy. hweve, sc meeng e nmssemby geng gee e membes pubc bdy des n cn-

sue n c meeng uness ced ed evde e sp nd pupses s ace.

(e) Evey pubc bdy s keep u nd ccue mnues -c meengs, ncudng ny csed sessns ed pusun G.S. 143-318.11.Suc mnues my be n wen m , e pn e pubc bdy, my be n e m sund vde nd sund ecdngs. Wen pubc bdy mees n csed sessn, s keep gene ccun e csed sessn s pesn n n endnce wud ve esnbe undesndng w nsped. Suc ccuns my be wen nve, vde ud ecd-ngs. Suc mnues nd ccuns s be pubc ecds wn e menng e Pubc recds lw, G.S. 132-1 e seq.; pvded, weve, mnues n ccun csed sessn cnduced n cmpnce w G.S. 143-318.11my be wed m pubc nspecn s ng s pubc nspecn wuduse e pupse csed sessn. (1979, c. 655, s. 1; 1985 (reg. Sess.,1986), c. 932, s. 4; 1991, c. 694, ss. 1, 2; 1993 (reg. Sess., 1994), c. 570, s. 1;1995, c. 509, s. 135.2(p); 1997-290, s. 1; 1997-456, s. 27.)

§ 143-318.11. Csed sessns.

() Pemed Pupses. – i s e pcy s Se csed sessnss be ed ny wen equed pem pubc bdy c n e pubcnees s pemed n s secn. a pubc bdy my d csed sessnnd excude e pubc ny wen csed sessn s equed:

(1) t peven e dscsue nmn s pveged cnden pusun e w s Se e Uned Ses, n cnsdeed pubc ecd wn e menng Cpe 132 eGene Sues.

(2) t peven e pemue dscsue n ny degee, sc-sp, pze, sm wd.

(3) t cnsu w n ney empyed ened by e pubcbdy n de peseve e ney-cen pvege beween e -ney nd e pubc bdy, wc pvege s eeby cknwedged. Gen-e pcy mes my n be dscussed n csed sessn nd nngeen s be cnsued pem pubc bdy cse meeng ewse wud be pen meey becuse n ney empyed e-ned by e pubc bdy s pcpn. te pubc bdy my cnsdend gve nsucns n ney cncenng e ndng see-men cm, judc cn, medn, bn, dmnsvepcedue. i e pubc bdy s ppved cnsdeed seemen,e n mpcce seemen by n be sp, n csed

sessn, e ems seemen s be eped e pubc bdy nd eneed n s mnues s sn s pssbe wn esnbe mee e seemen s cncuded.

(4) t dscuss mes eng e cn expnsn ndus-es e busnesses n e e seved by e pubc bdy, ncudnggeemen n enve s ecnmc devepmen ncenves my be eed by e pubc bdy n negns. te cn ppvnge sgnng n ecnmc devepmen cnc cmmmen, ecn uzng e pymen ecnmc devepmen expendues,s be ken n n pen sessn.

(5) t esbs, nsuc e pubc bdy’s s negnggens cncenng e psn be ken by n be e pubcbdy n negng () e pce nd e me ems cnc ppsed cnc e cqusn e ppey by pucse,pn, excnge, ese; () e mun cmpensn nd eme ems n empymen cnc ppsed empymen cn-

c.

(6) t cnsde e qucns, cmpeence, pemnce, c-ce, ness, cndns ppnmen, cndns n empy-men n ndvdu pubc ce empyee pspecve pubcce empyee; e nvesge cmpn, cge, gevnce by gns n ndvdu pubc ce empyee. Genepesnne pcy ssues my n be cnsdeed n csed sessn. a pub-c bdy my n cnsde e qucns, cmpeence, pemnce,cce, ness, ppnmen, emv membe e pubcbdy ne bdy nd my n cnsde vcncy mng swn membesp excep n n pen meeng. Fn cn mkng n p-pnmen dscge emv by pubc bdy vng n uy e ppnmen dscge emv s be ken n n penmeeng.

(7) t pn, cnduc, e eps cncenng nvesgns -

eged cmn mscnduc.(8) t mue pns by c bd educn eng eme-gency espnse ncdens sc vence.

(9) t dscuss nd ke cn egdng pns pec pubc sey s ees exsng pen es cvy nd eceve be-ngs by s membes, eg cunse, w encemen emegency sevce cs cncenng cns ken be ken espnd suc cvy.

(b) repeed by Sessn lws 1991, c. 694, s. 4.

(c) Cng Csed Sessn. – a pubc bdy my d csed sessnny upn mn duy mde nd dped n pen meeng. Evey mn cse meeng s ce ne me e pemssbe pupses sed nsubsecn () s secn. a mn bsed n subdvsn ()(1) s sec-n s s se e nme cn e w endes e nmn be dscussed pveged cnden. a mn bsed n subdvsn ()

(3) s secn s deny e pes n ec exsng wsu cncenng wc e pubc bdy expecs eceve dvce dung e csed sessn.

(d) repeed by Sessn lws 1993 (reg. Sess., 1994), c. 570, s. 2. (1979,c. 655, s. 1; 1981, c. 831; 1985 (reg. Sess., 1986), c. 932, s. 5; 1991, c. 694, ss. 3,4; 1993 (reg. Sess., 1994), c. 570, s. 2; 1995, c. 509, s. 84; 1997-222, s. 2; 1997-290, s. 2; 2001-500, s. 2; 2003-180, s. 2.)

§ 143-318.12. Pubc nce fc meengs.

() i pubc bdy s esbsed, by dnnce, esun, -ewse, scedue egu meengs, s cuse cuen cpy scedue, swng e me nd pce egu meengs, be kep n es ws:





(1) F pubc bdes e p Se gvenmen, w eSecey Se;

(2) F e gvenng bd nd ec e pubc bdy s p cuny gvenmen, w e cek e bd cuny cmms-snes;

(3) F e gvenng bd nd ec e pubc bdy s p cy gvenmen, w e cy cek;

(4) F ec e pubc bdy, w s cek secey, , epubc bdy des n ve cek secey, w e cek e bd

cuny cmmssnes n e cuny n wc e pubc bdy nmy ds s meengs.

i pubc bdy cnges s scedue egu meengs, s cuse eevsed scedue be ed s pvded n subdvsns (1) ug (4) ssubsecn es seven cend dys bee e dy e s meeng edpusun e evsed scedue.

(b) i pubc bdy ds n c meeng ny me pce en me pce swn n e scedue ed pusun subsecn () s secn, s gve pubc nce e me nd pce meeng spvded n s subsecn.

(1) i pubc bdy ecesses egu, spec, emegency meenged pusun pubc nce gven n cmpnce w s subsecn,nd e me nd pce wc e meeng s be cnnued s n-nunced n pen sessn, n ue nce s be equed.

(2) F ny e meeng, excep n emegency meeng, e pubcbdy s cuse wen nce e meeng sng s pupse () be psed n e pncp buen bd e pubc bdy , epubc bdy s n suc buen bd, e d s usu meengm, nd () be med, e-med, deveed ec newsppe, we sevce, d sn, nd eevsn sn s ed weneques nce w e cek secey e pubc bdy wsme e pesn desgned by e pubc bdy. te pubc bdy ss cuse nce be med, e-med, deveed ny pesn, nddn e epesenves e med sed bve, w s ed wen eques w e cek, secey, e pesn desgnedby e pubc bdy. ts nce s be psed nd med, e-med, deveed es 48 us bee e me e meeng. te nceequed be psed n e pncp buen bd e d s usu meeng m s be psed n e d e budng ne budng n n e ccessbe e pubc e budng cnn-ng e pncp buen bd usu meeng m s csed e

pubc cnnuusy 48 us bee e me e meeng. tepubc bdy my eque ec newsppe, we sevce, d sn, ndeevsn sn submng wen eques nce enew eeques nnuy. te pubc bdy s cge ee pesns e ne med, w eques nce, en ds ($10.00) pe cend ye,nd my eque em enew e equess quey. N ee s becged nces sen by e-m.

(3) F n emegency meeng, e pubc bdy s cuse nce e meeng be gven ec c newsppe, c we sevce, cd sn, nd c eevsn sn s ed wen eques, wc ncudes e newsppe’s, we sevce’s, sn’s eepne num-be, emegency nce w e cek secey e pubc bdy w sme e pesn desgned by e pubc bdy. ts nce sbe gven ee by e-m, by eepne, by e sme med used ny e membes e pubc bdy nd s be gven mmedey e nce s been gven se membes. ts nce s be gven e expense e py ned. ony busness cnneced w e

emegency my be cnsdeed meeng wc nce s gven pu-sun s pgp.

(c) repeed by Sessn lws 1991, c. 694, s. 6.

(d) i pubc bdy s Web se nd s esbsed scedue egu meengs, e pubc bdy s ps e scedue egu meengs e Web se.

(e) i pubc bdy s Web se ne me s empyeesmnns, e pubc bdy s ps nce ny meeng ed unde sub-dvsns (b)(1) nd (b)(2) s secn p e scedued me meeng.

() F pupses s secn, n “emegency meeng” s ne cbecuse geney unexpeced ccumsnces eque mmede cnen by e pubc bdy. (1979, c. 655, s. 1; 1991, c. 694, ss. 5, 6; 2009-s. 1.)

§ 143-318.13. Eecnc meengs; wen bs; cng by eence.

() Eecnc Meengs. – i pubc bdy ds n c meenuse cneence eepne e eecnc mens, s pvde n nd mens weeby membes e pubc my sen e meenge nce e meeng equed by s ace s specy c

a ee up weny-ve ds ($25.00) my be cged ec suc s dey n p e cs pvdng e necessy cn nd equpmen

(b) Wen Bs. – Excep s pvded n s subsecn by jesun e Gene assemby, pubc bdy my n ve by sece wen b. i pubc bdy decdes ve by wen b, ec mem e bdy s vng s sgn s e b; nd e mnues e pubdy s sw e ve ec membe vng. te bs s be vbe pubc nspecn n e ce e cek secey e pubdy mmedey wng e meeng wc e ve k pceun e mnues meeng e ppved, wc me e bs be desyed.

(c) acng by reeence. – te membes pubc bdy sdebee, ve, ewse ke cn upn ny me by eeence ee, numbe e desgnn, e sece devce med, wnenn mkng mpssbe pesns endng meeng e pubdy undesnd w s beng debeed, ved, ced upn. hwes subsecn des n pb pubc bdy m debeng, vngewse kng cn by eeence n gend, cpes e gend,ceny wded enbe e pubc undesnd w s beng debe ved, ced upn, e vbe pubc nspecn e meeng. (1c. 655, s. 1.)

§ 143-318.14. Bdcsng ecdng meengs.

() Excep s een bew pvded, ny d eevsn sened bdcs ny p meeng equed be pen. pesn my pgp, m, pe-ecd, ewse epduce ny p meeng equed be pen.

(b) a pubc bdy my egue e pcemen nd use equpmnecessy bdcsng, pgpng, mng, ecdng meengs peven undue neeence w e meeng. hweve, e pubc bmus w suc equpmen be pced wn e meeng m n su

wy s pem s nended use, nd e dny use suc equpmen n be deced cnsue undue neeence; pvded, weve, pubc bdy, n gd , sud deemne e sze e meeng s suc e membes e pubc bdy, membes e pubc pesnd e equpmen nd pesnne necessy bdcsng, pgpmng, nd pe-ecdng e meeng cnn be ccmmded n e mng m wu unduy neeng w e meeng nd n deque eve meeng m s n edy vbe, en e pubc bdy, cng n g nd cnssen w e pupses s ace, my eque e p suc equpmen nd e pesnne peng ; nd pvded ue, news med, n de ce news cvege, eques n ene see meeng, nd e pubc bdy gns e eques, en e news med mng suc eques s py ny css ncued by e pubc bdy n secunene meeng se. (1979, c. 655, s. 1.)

§ 143-318.14a. legsve cmmssns, cmmees, nd sndsubcmmees.

() Excep s pvded n subsecn (e) bew, c mee cmmssns, cmmees, nd sndng subcmmees e Genesemby (ncudng, wu mn, jn cmmees nd sudy cmms be ed n pen sessn. F e pupse s secn, e wngs be cnsdeed be “cmmssns, cmmees, nd sndng subcmees e Gene assemby”:

(1) te legsve resec Cmmssn;

(2) te legsve Sevces Cmmssn;

(3) repeed by Sessn lws 2006-203, s. 93, eecve Juy 1, 2nd ppcbe e budge e 2007-2009 bennum nd ec suquen bennum eee;





(4) te Jn legsve Uy revew Cmmee;

(5) te Jn legsve Cmmssn n Gvenmen opens;

(6) te Jn legsve Cmmssn n Muncp incpns;

(7) repeed by Sessn lws 1997, c. 443, s. 12.30, eecve augus 28, 1997.

(8) te Jn Seec Cmmee n lw-leve rdcve Wse;

(9) te Envnmen revew Cmmssn;

(10) te Jn legsve tnspn ovesg Cmmee;(11) te Jn legsve Educn ovesg Cmmee;

(12) te Jn legsve Cmmssn n Fuue Seges NCn;

(13) te Cmmssn n Cden w Spec Needs;

(14) te legsve Cmmee n New lcensng Bds;

(15) te agcuue nd Fesy aweness Sudy Cmmssn;

(16) te N Cn Sudy Cmmssn n agng; nd

(17) te sndng Cmmees n Pensns nd reemen.

(b) resnbe pubc nce meengs cmmssns, cm-mees, nd sndng subcmmees e Gene assemby s be gven.F pupses s subsecn, “esnbe pubc nce” ncudes, bu s n

med :

(1) Nce gven peny sessn e Sene e huse;

(2) Nce med sen by eecnc m se w ve e-quesed nce, nd e legsve Sevces oce, wc s ps ence n e Gene assemby web se.

G.S. 143-318.12 s n ppy meengs cmmssns, cmmees,nd sndng subcmmees e Gene assemby.

(c) a cmmssn, cmmee, sndng subcmmee e Geneassemby my ke n cn ny n n pen meeng.

(d) a vn s secn by membes e Gene assemby sbe punsbe s pescbed by e ues e huse e Sene.

(e) te wng secns s ppy meengs cmmssns,cmmees, nd sndng subcmmees e Gene assemby: G.S. 143-

318.10(e) nd G.S. 143-318.11, G.S. 143-318.13 nd G.S. 143-318.14, G.S.143-318.16 ug G.S. 143-318.17. (1991, c. 694, s. 7; 1991 (reg. Sess.,1992), c. 785, s. 4; c. 1030, s. 42; 1993, c. 321, s. 169.2(); 1997-443, s. 12.30;2003-374, s. 1; 2006-203, s. 93.)

§ 143-318.15: repeed by Sessn lws 2006-203, s. 94, eecve Juy 1, 2007, nd ppcbe e budge e 2007-2009 bennum nd ecsubsequen bennum eee.

§ 143-318.16. injuncve ee gns vns ace.

() te Gene Cu Jusce s jusdcn ene mndy pby njuncns enjn () eened vns s ace, () eecuence ps vns s ace, () cnnung vns sace. any pesn my bng n cn n e pppe dvsn e Gen-e Cu Jusce seekng suc n njuncn; nd e pn need n -ege pve spec dmge deen m sueed by e pubc ge.i s n deense suc n cn ee s n deque emedy w.

(b) any njuncn eneed pusun s secn s descbe e csenjned w eeence e vns s ace ve been pvedn e cn.

(c) repeed by Sessn lws 1985 (reg. Sess., 1986), c. 932, s. 3, eec-ve ocbe 1, 1986. (1979, c. 655, s. 1; 1985 (reg. Sess., 1986), c. 932, s. 3.)

§ 143-318.16a. addn emedes vns ace.

() any pesn my nsue su n e supe cu equesnge eny judgmen decng ny cn pubc bdy ws ken,cnsdeed, dscussed, debeed n vn s ace. Upn suc ndng, e cu my dece ny suc cn nu nd vd. any pesn my seek suc decy judgmen, nd e pn need n ege pve

spec dmge deen m sueed by e pubc ge. te pubcbdy wse cn e su seeks se sde s be mde py. te cu my de e pesns be mde pes ey ve cm ny g, e, nees wud be decy eced by decy judgmen vdnge cn e su seeks se sde.

(b) a su seekng decy ee unde s secn mus be cm-menced wn 45 dys wng e n dscsue e cn esu seeks ve deced nu nd vd; pvded, weve, ny su decy judgmen bug pusun s secn seeks se sde bnd de bnd eeendum s be cmmenced wn e mnpeds pescbed by G.S. 159-59 nd G.S. 159-62. i e cenged cn secded n e mnues e pubc bdy, s n dscsue s be deemed ve ccued n e de e mnues e s vbe pubc nspec-n. i e cenged cn s n ecded n e mnues e pubc bdy,e de s n dscsue s be deemned by e cu bsed n ndng s wen e pn knew sud ve knwn e cengedcn d been ken.

(c) in mkng e deemnn wee dece e cenged c-n nu nd vd, e cu s cnsde e wng nd ny e eevn cs:

(1) te exen wc e vn eced e subsnce ecenged cn;

(2) te exen wc e vn wed mped ccess meengs pceedngs e pubc d g end;

(3) te exen wc e vn pevened mped pubc

knwedge undesndng e pepe’s busness;

(4) Wee e vn ws n sed ccuence, ws p cnnung pen vns s ace by e pubc bdy;

(5) te exen wc pesns eed upn e vdy e c-enged cn, nd e eec n suc pesns decng e cengedcn vd;

(6) Wee e vn ws cmmed n bd e pupse evdng subveng e pubc pcy embded n s ace.

(d) a decy judgmen pusun s secn my be eneed s nenve , n cmbnn w, n njuncn eneed pusun G.S.143-318.16.

(e) te vdy ny enced w jn esun pssed smpeesun ee use e Gene assemby s n eced by s a-

ce. (1985 (reg. Sess., 1986), c. 932, s. 1; 1991, c. 694, s. 8.)§ 143-318.16B. assessmens nd wds neys’ ees.

Wen n cn s bug pusun G.S. 143-318.16 G.S. 143-318.16a, e cu my mke wen ndngs specyng e pevng py pes, nd my wd e pevng py pes esnbe ney’see, be xed gns e sng py pes s p e css. te cu my de ny pn ny ee s ssessed be pd pesny by ny ndvdu membe membes e pubc bdy und by e cu ve knwngy nenny cmmed e vn; pvded, nde gns ny ndvdu membe s ssue n ny cse wee e pubcbdy ndvdu membe seeks e dvce n ney, nd suc dvces wed. (1985 (reg. Sess., 1986), c. 932, s. 2; 1993 (reg. Sess., 1994), c.570, s. 3.)

§ 143-318.16C. acceeed eng; py.

acns bug pusun G.S. 143-318.16 G.S. 143-318.16a s be

se dwn mmede eng, nd subsequen pceedngs n suc cnss be ccded py by e nd ppee cus. (1993 (reg. Sess.,1994), c. 570, s. 4.)

§ 143-318.16D. lc cs.

any eeence n ny cy ce c c n “execuve sessn” smended ed “csed sessn”. (1993 (reg. Sess., 1994), c. 570, s. 4.)

§ 143-318.17. Dsupns fc meengs.

a pesn w wuy neups, dsubs, dsups n c meengnd w, upn beng deced eve e meeng by e pesdng ce, wuy euses eve e meeng s guy Css 2 msdemen. (1979,c. 655, s. 1; 1993, c. 539, s. 1028; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)





§ 143-318.18. Excepns.

ts ace des n ppy :

(1) Gnd nd pe jues.

(2) any pubc bdy s speccy uzed deced by w mee n execuve cnden sessn, e exen e uz-n decn.

(3) te Judc Sndds Cmmssn.

(3) te N Cn inncence inquy Cmmssn.

(4) repeed by Sessn lws 1991, c. 694, s. 9.

(4) te legsve Ecs Cmmee.

(4b) a cneence cmmee e Gene assemby.

(4c) a cucus by membes e Gene assemby; weve, n mem-be e Gene assemby s pcpe n cucus wc s ced e pupse evdng subveng s ace.

(5) lw encemen gences.

(6) a pubc bdy uzed nvesge, exmne, deeme cce nd e qucns ppcns pessn cupn censes ceces ke dscpny cns gpesns dng suc censes ceces, () we pepng, ppng, dmnseng, gdng exmnns () we meeng wespec n ndvdu ppcn de suc cense ce. ts excepn des n mend, epe, supesede ny sue eques pubc eng e pcce nd pceduepceedng bee suc pubc bdy.

(7) any pubc bdy subjec e Se Budge ac, Cpe 1 e Gene Sues nd execsng qus-judc uncns, dumeeng sessn ed sey e pupse mkng decsn djudcy cn pceedng.

(8) te bds usees endwmen unds uzed by 116-36 G.S. 116-238.

(9) repeed by Sessn lws 1991, c. 694, s. 9.

(10) te Bd awds.

(11) te Gene Cu Jusce. (1979, c. 655, s. 1; 1985, c. 75206(e); 1991, c. 694, s. 9; 2006-184, s. 6; 2006-203, s. 95; 2010-171, s



Documents

Open Government Guide for North Carolina