North CarolinaSB 4292025-2026 SessionSenate

AN ACT TO SET LIMITS ON MOTIONS FOR APPROPRIATE RELIEF IN NONCAPITAL CASES; TO BAN HEMP-DERIVED CONSUMABLE PRODUCTS FROM SCHOOL GROUNDS; TO CREATE A NEW CRIMINAL OFFENSE FOR EXPOSING A CHILD TO A CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE; TO INCREASE THE PUNISHMENT FOR POSSESSING A FIREARM OR WEAPON OF MASS DEATH AND DESTRUCTION BY A FELON DURING THE COMMISSION OR ATTEMPTED COMMISSION OF A FELONY; TO REVISE LAWS PERTAINING TO THE DISCLOSURE AND RELEASE OF AUTOPSY INFORMATION COMPILED OR PREPARED BY THE OFFICE OF THE CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER; TO INCREASE THE PUNISHMENT FOR COMMITTING THE OFFENSE OF SOLICITATION OF MINORS BY COMPUTER; TO REVISE THE LAW GOVERNING THE GRANTING OF IMMUNITY TO WITNESSES; TO REQUIRE CERTAIN PETITIONS PERTAINING TO SEX OFFENDER REGISTRATION BE PLACED ON THE CRIMINAL DOCKET; TO CLARIFY THE STANDING OF DISTRICT ATTORNEYS IN CERTAIN CASES; TO ALLOW PERSONS OUTSIDE OF THIS STATE TO FILE FOR A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROTECTION ORDER; TO REVISE THE REQUIREMENT UNDER THE CRIME VICTIMS COMPENSATION ACT THAT CRIMINALLY INJURIOUS CONDUCT BE REPORTED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT WITHIN SEVENTY-TWO HOURS OF ITS OCCURRENCE; TO REVISE THE CRIMINAL OFFENSE OF SECRETLY PEEPING INTO ROOM OCCUPIED BY ANOTHER PERSON; TO REVISE THE LAW PROHIBITING SEXUAL ACTIVITY BY A SUBSTITUTE PARENT OR CUSTODIAN TO INCLUDE RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS OR INSTITUTIONS; TO ESTABLISH AN OFFENSE FOR WRONGFULLY ENTERING A PART OF A BUILDING NOT OPEN TO THE PUBLIC; TO ESTABLISH THE OFFENSE OF LARCENY OF GIFT CARDS; TO REVISE THE ORGANIZED RETAIL THEFT OFFENSE TO INCLUDE OFFENSES INVOLVING GIFT CARDS; TO ALLOW UNLICENSED LAW SCHOOL GRADUATES TO PRACTICE LAW UNDER SUPERVISION; TO CLARIFY THAT FELONY SCHOOL NOTIFICATIONS ARE LIMITED TO CLASS A THROUGH CLASS E FELONIES; TO ALLOW THE TRANSFER OF BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCE BACK TO THE COLLECTING AGENCY FOR PRESERVATION; TO REVISE THE LAW GOVERNING THE RECORDING OF COURT PROCEEDINGS; TO INCREASE THE PUNISHMENT FOR COMMITTING THE OFFENSE OF FAILURE TO YIELD THAT RESULTS IN SERIOUS BODILY INJURY; AND TO INCREASE THE PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO YIELD THE RIGHT-OF-WAY TO A BLIND OR PARTIALLY BLIND PEDESTRIAN.

Sponsored By: Paul Newton (Republican), Jr. Danny Earl Britt (Republican), Warren Daniel (Republican)

Signed by Governor

AGRICULTUREATTORNEYSBIOTECHNOLOGYBUILDINGSCHILD ABUSECOMPUTERSCONSUMER CREDITCONTROLLED SUBSTANCESCOURTSCRIMESCRIMINAL PROCEDUREDATA & RECORDS SYSTEMSDEATH & DYINGDHHSDISABLED PERSONSDISTRICT COURTDOMESTIC VIOLENCEEDUCATIONEVIDENCEFINANCIAL SERVICESGENETICSHEALTH SERVICESID SYSTEMSINFORMATION TECHNOLOGYJUDGESLICENSING & CERTIFICATIONMEDICAL EXAMINERSMINORSMOTOR VEHICLESOCCUPATIONSPRESENTEDPUBLICPUBLIC HEALTHPUBLIC OFFICIALSRATIFIEDRELIGION & RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONSSCHOOL BUILDINGS & PROPERTYSENTENCINGSEX OFFENSESSTATE BARTRESPASSINGVICTIMS RIGHTSWEAPONSWITNESSESWOMENDISTRICT ATTORNEYSRECORDSCHAPTEREDTRAFFIC OFFENSESDNAPUBLIC BUILDINGSPROPERTY-LOCAL GOVERNMENTFORENSIC SCIENCESCASH CROPSFAMILY ISSUESCHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINERHEMP & HEMP PRODUCTS

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

10 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 2 costs, 4 mixed.

Harsher penalties for fentanyl and child exposure

It is a crime to expose a child under 16 to a controlled drug. Exposure is a Class H felony, and penalties rise if the child ingests the drug, is seriously hurt, or dies. Trafficking in fentanyl or carfentanil has set tiers: 4–<14 grams (Class E, 90 months minimum, $500,000 fine), 14–<28 grams (Class D, 175 months, $750,000 fine), and 28+ grams (Class C, 225 months, $1,000,000 fine). Prescribed medicine given to the child as directed is exempt. These changes take effect December 1, 2025.

Stronger domestic violence rules and penalties

Police may arrest without a warrant for listed domestic-related misdemeanors when the law’s safety tests are met. In these cases, a judge sets pretrial release, sees the person’s criminal history, can keep them briefly, and can order stay-away terms or alcohol monitoring. When a protective order finds deadly weapon use or threats, serious injury, or suicide threats, the person must surrender guns, ammo, and carry permits right away or within 24 hours. The sheriff stores the items or uses a licensed dealer and may charge a reasonable fee; return needs a court order and a national background check. Violating surrender or disclosure rules is a Class H felony. Repeat domestic violence can be charged as a new habitual felony that escalates in class with each conviction, and repeat misdemeanor assaults can be a Class H felony. Simple assault is no longer a lesser included option for misdemeanor domestic violence. Most parts take effect December 1, 2025; items surrendered before that date become covered on February 1, 2026.

Expiration extended for an existing rule

A previously enacted section stays in effect longer. Its expiration date is now June 30, 2027, instead of June 30, 2025.

Ink signatures allowed on some orders

Court leaders can allow ink signatures on certain orders signed outside court, including fee orders for assigned counsel. This does not apply to criminal judgments. If you obtain a manual signature, you must file the signed document through the eFile and Serve system.

Judges must explain back-to-back sentences

If a judge orders sentences to run one after another and the law does not require that result, the judge must state the reasons on the record. This applies starting December 1, 2025. It makes sentencing decisions clearer for the record and for appeals.

Legal aid grant funding pause for 2025-26

From July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026, the State Bar cannot spend IOLTA interest funds on grants. The money may be used only for administrative costs during that year. This temporarily reduces grant funding from IOLTA-supported programs.

Seven-year limit on postconviction motions

You generally have seven years to file a motion for appropriate relief in noncapital cases. The clock starts from the latest listed triggering event. Some specific grounds can be raised later, and the district attorney can consent to a late filing. Effective December 1, 2025.

New rules for sex offender petitions

You must pay the civil filing fee when you file to end a 30-year registration or ask a court to review a registration notice. If you are indigent, you do not have to pay. The clerk places termination petitions on the criminal docket, and the district attorney gets at least three weeks’ notice. If your conviction was outside North Carolina (including federal), you must notify the sheriff where you were convicted and include an affidavit with that contact. File any court review of a new registration notice within 30 days where you live, and serve the DA and sheriff within three days. Hearings are set in a superior court criminal session, and you are told your right to a lawyer. You may seek to end registration 10 years after your first county registration. Effective December 1, 2025.

New rules for 911 and online reports

911 call contents are public records, but not calls that reveal a caller’s identity or calls made by minors. Releases can be redacted transcripts or audio with an altered voice; originals remain available through legal process. Police agencies that already take online crime reports may accept online reports of lost or stolen guns. These online gun reports are not public records, and false reports are a crime. The online reporting change starts October 1, 2025.

One state statute is repealed

The law repeals one state statute. The change takes effect July 1, 2025.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Jr. David W. Craven
Republican • Senate
Bobby Hanig
Republican • Senate
Tom McInnis
Republican • Senate