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SB 989

Epstein Truth and Accountability Act.

2025-2026 Session Introduced by Sydney Batch and 6 co-sponsors

Creates the Human Trafficking Records Commission to review and release Epstein-related records with victim privacy, plus ERPOs to restrict firearms for individuals named in those r

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Bill Summary · SB 989

Summary of North Carolina Senate Bill 989 (2025 Session)

Title: Epstein Truth and Accountability Act

Purpose
- Establish a dedicated body, the Human Trafficking Records Commission, within the Department of Justice (DOJ) to review and release records related to the Epstein investigation, with victim privacy protections.
- Make conforming changes to legislative privilege and confidentiality rules.
- Authorize the State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) to assist the Commission.
- Provide a mechanism to restrict weapons access for individuals identified in released records via Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs).
- Provide funding to support the new Commission and related investigative activities.

Key Provisions

1) Creation of the Human Trafficking Records Commission (Part I)
- Establishment: A new Article (Article 11) within Chapter 114 creates the Human Trafficking Records Commission within the DOJ.
- Duties: The Commission reviews and releases records related to the Epstein investigation held by state authorities.
- Privacy safeguard: The Commission must redact all personally identifiable information of victims.
- Legislative privilege: If a member or officer of the General Assembly is identified in the Epstein records, the common law of legislative privilege and immunity does not apply to matters related to the Epstein investigation.

2) Legislative Privilege and Confidentiality Adjustments (Part II)
- Legislative privilege (G.S. 120-137): Clarifies that passage of this act does not waive legislative privilege/immunity for legislators, but remains subject to the new Epstein records framework.
- Public records and confidentiality (G.S. 132-1.4): Amends public records law to make contents of records released by the Human Trafficking Records Commission public records to the extent provided, subject to court orders and existing confidentiality rules. Specifically, it adds that the contents of records released by the Commission are public records under this statute.

3) SBI Assistance to the Commission (Part III)
- SBI assistance: The SBI is authorized, upon request by the Attorney General, to assist the Commission with investigations involving individuals identified in the Commission-released records.

4) Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) (Part IV)
- New authority: Adds Article 54C to Chapter 14 establishing ERPOs related to released Epstein-records individuals.
- Definitions and purpose: Defines ERPO, records (Epstein investigation materials), and the Commission.
- Issuance: District court judges may issue ERPOs for individuals identified in the released records.
- Proceedings: Judges must review the context of the individual’s identification, hold a hearing, and inform the individual of ERPO impacts on firearm rights. The hearing requires the individual to disclose firearms ownership and related permits.
- Surrender of firearms: Post-hearing, the court orders immediate surrender of firearms and related permits, with sheriff storage or third-party storage arrangements.

5) Firearms and Protective Orders (Part IV continued)
- Prohibition linkage: Aligns ERPOs with existing North Carolina laws, including prohibitions on firearm possession for individuals subject to other protective orders (domestic violence orders) when an ERPO is issued.

6) Funding (Part V)
- DOJ funding: $5,000,000 in nonrecurring funds for FY 2026-2027 from the Opportunity Scholarship Program to establish/operate the Commission.
- SBI funding: $5,000,000 in nonrecurring funds for FY 2026-2027 to support investigative activities by the SBI related to the act.

7) Effective Date (Part VI)
- The act becomes law upon passage (effective date: when it becomes law).

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Victims: Privacy protection is a core feature; victims’ identifying information will be redacted in Commission releases.
  • State authorities: Records related to the Epstein investigation will be reviewed and released under Commission oversight, with potential public disclosure of certain contents.
  • Legislators: The bill explicitly narrows or clarifies legislative privilege in contexts tied to the Epstein investigation.
  • Law enforcement and prosecutors: SBI may assist the Commission in investigations involving individuals named in released records.
  • Individuals identified in released records: May be subject to ERPOs if courts determine it appropriate; ERPOs would restrict or suspend firearm rights and require surrender of firearms/permits.
  • Funding recipients: DOJ and SBI receive new nonrecurring funding for implementation and ongoing operations.

Timeline and Process Notes

  • Establishment and operation: The Commission would be created within DOJ, with a mandate to review and release Epstein-related records subject to redaction.
  • Public records: Certain released contents become public records under existing statutes, subject to court orders and confidentiality provisions.
  • ERPOs: District courts would consider ERPOs for individuals identified in the released records, following a hearing and contextual review.
  • Funding: Allocations are for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to establish and support the Commission and SBI activities.
  • Effective date: Immediate upon becoming law.

Overall Assessment
SB 989 aims to increase transparency around Epstein-related investigations in North Carolina while safeguarding victim privacy, clarifying legislative privilege in this context, enabling coordinated investigative support from SBI, and providing a legal mechanism (ERPOs) to restrict firearm access when warranted by the released records. It also prioritizes dedicated funding to stand up and operate the Commission and related investigative functions.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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