North Carolina § 143-215 - 9D. Agricultural operation investigations confidential.

§ 143-215. 9D. Agricultural operation investigations confidential.

Complaints of violations of this Article relating to an agricultural operation and all other records accumulated in conjunction with the investigation of these complaints shall be considered confidential records and may be released only by order of a court of competent jurisdiction. If the Department determines that a violation has occurred, the complaint of the violation and all records accumulated in conjunction with the investigation of the complaint shall be considered public records pursuant to G.S. 132-6 . Any information obtained by the Department from any law enforcement agency, administrative agency, or regulatory organization on a confidential or otherwise restricted basis in the course of such an investigation shall be confidential and exempt from the requirements of G.S. 132-6 (a) to the same extent that it is confidential in the possession of the providing agency or organization. History (2014-103, s. 1(a).) Editor's Note. - Session Laws 2014-103, s. 18(b), made this section effective August 6, 2014. Session Laws 2014-103, s. 1(b), provides: "The Department of Environment and Natural Resources shall adopt rules developing a system for receiving, investigating, and responding to environmental complaints about agricultural operations in accordance with Article 2A of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes, the Administrative Procedure Act." Session Laws 2014-103, s. 18(a), is a severability clause.