H.B. 656
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
Apr 22, 2021
SESSION 2021 HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK
H D
HOUSE BILL DRH40395-ND-133
Short Title: Prohibition on No-Knock Warrant Service. (Public)
Sponsors: Representative Alexander.
Referred to:
1 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
2 AN ACT TO PROHIBIT NO-KNOCK WARRANT SERVICE BY LAW ENFORCEMENT
3 OFFICERS IN ALL INSTANCES EXCEPT A HOSTAGE RESCUE.
4 The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
5 SECTION 1. G.S. 15A-251 reads as rewritten:
6 "§ 15A-251. Entry by force.
7 An officer may break and enter any premises or vehicle when necessary to the execution of
8 the warrant if:when effecting the rescue of a hostage that there is probable cause to believe is
9 located on the premises or in the vehicle.
10 (1) The officer has previously announced his identity and purpose as required by
11 G.S. 15A-249 and reasonably believes either that admittance is being denied
12 or unreasonably delayed or that the premises or vehicle is unoccupied; or
13 (2) The officer has probable cause to believe that the giving of notice would
14 endanger the life or safety of any person."
15 SECTION 2. This act is effective when it becomes law and applies to the service of
16 warrants on or after that date.
*DRH40395-ND-133*


Statutes affected:
Filed: 15A-251
Edition 1: 15A-251