Bill > H764

This bill creates new legal provisions in North Carolina's boating laws to establish specific offenses related to reckless boating resulting in death or serious injury. The bill defines four distinct offenses: death by reckless boating, serious injury by reckless boating, aggravated death by reckless boating, and aggravated serious injury by reckless boating. These offenses apply when a person unintentionally causes death or serious injury while operating a vessel recklessly, but not while impaired by alcohol or drugs. The bill distinguishes between standard and aggravated versions of these offenses, with the aggravated charges applying when the person has a previous conviction for reckless vessel operation within seven years. The punishments range from Class A1 misdemeanors for basic reckless boating causing death or injury to Class F and I felonies for aggravated versions. The bill also includes a provision preventing double prosecution, meaning a person cannot be charged with both reckless boating and manslaughter for the same incident. The new law will become effective on December 1, 2025, and will apply to offenses committed on or after that date, providing a clear legal framework for prosecuting dangerous boating incidents that result in harm to others.