Bill > S429

This bill encompasses numerous changes to North Carolina's criminal laws across multiple areas. The key provisions can be summarized as follows: This bill introduces a new criminal offense of exposing a child to controlled substances, with graduated felony charges depending on the severity of the child's exposure. Under this law, knowingly allowing a child to be exposed to controlled substances can result in Class H to Class B1 felony charges, with more severe penalties if the child ingests the substance and experiences serious injury or death. The bill also makes significant revisions to laws concerning autopsy information disclosure, making such records more restrictive and establishing detailed protocols for their release. Additionally, the legislation increases punishments for several criminal offenses, including solicitation of minors by computer, failure to yield resulting in serious bodily injury, and fentanyl-related offenses. The bill modifies domestic violence laws by creating new felony categories for habitual domestic violence and adjusting related legal procedures. Other notable changes include clarifying laws around peeping and sexual activity by substitute parents, revising witness immunity procedures, and extending various legal protections and reporting requirements. The bill also addresses technical legal matters such as motions for appropriate relief, court proceedings recording, and firearms surrendering processes. Most provisions will become effective between October 2025 and December 2025, with specific implementation dates varying by section.

Government Affairs, Justice

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S429