Amends GS 14-33 by adding a new subdivision making it a Class A1 misdemeanor to assault a utility worker, not otherwise covered under subsection (c), when the worker is discharging or attempting to discharge his or her duties. Defines utility worker as any employee, including any person employed by contract with an organization, entity, or company, whether State-created or privately, municipally, county, or cooperatively owned, that provides gas, heat, electricity, water, telecommunications services, sewer services, cable or video services, internet services, or railroad services.

Makes technical changes to GS 14-33(d).

Amends GS 14-34.2 by adding utility workers, as defined in GS 14-33, to the statute's listed employees, which makes it a Class E felony to commit an assault with a deadly weapon upon those employees when the person is discharging or attempting to discharge his or her duties (was, in the performance of an official duty). This section only applies when the conduct is not covered under some other provision of law providing greater punishment.

Specifies that prosecutions for offenses committed before the effective date of this act are not abated or affected by this act, and the statutes that would be applicable but for this act remain applicable to those prosecutions.

Effective December 1, 2025, and applicable to offenses committed on or after that date.