Enacts new GS 14-32.5 to provide that a person is guilty of reckless assault of a child if the person is 18 years of age or more and recklessly causes serious bodily injury (as defined by the statute) to the brain of a child less than five years old by shaking the child, or by slamming or throwing the child so as to impact the child's head on a hard surface or object. Specifies that a person who commits reckless assault of a child is guilty of a Class D felony, unless the conduct is covered under some other provision of law providing greater punishment.
Effective December 1, 2011, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.