Bill Summary for H 246 (2025-2026)

Printer-friendly: Click to view
Bill: LIAM'S LAW.

Summary date: 

Apr 8 2025

Bill Information:

View NCGA Bill Details(link is external)2025-2026 Session
House Bill 246 (Public) Filed Thursday, February 27, 2025
AN ACT TO INCREASE THE PENALTIES FOR RECKLESS DRIVING OR STREET RACING THAT CAUSES SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH AND INCREASE PENALTIES FOR HIT AND RUN OFFENSES THAT RESULT IN DEATH.
Intro. by Torbett.

View: All Summaries for BillTracking:

Bill summary

House committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes. 

Part I.

Changes the Part's heading.

Modifies the proposed changes to GS 20-140, making the offense of reckless driving causing serious bodily injury a Class A1 misdemeanor rather than Class I felony.

Part II.

Changes the Part's heading.

Further amends GS 20-141.3, which establishes street racing offenses, to separate the misdemeanor offenses set forth in existing subsection (c). Moves the offense of betting on prearranged speed competitions into new subsection (c1), thereby removing the betting offense from the proposed increased classification to felonies for speed competition offenses that result in serious injury or death to felonies. Now increases the criminal classification of speed competitions resulting in serious injury to Class H felonies (was, Class F) and serious bodily injury or death to Class G felonies (was, death only and Class B2). Makes organizational and clarifying changes to subsection (d) pertaining to revocation of driver's licenses and driving privileges pursuant to the statute. Makes conforming organizational changes and cross-reference updates. Makes language gender neutral.

Deletes the proposed changes to GS 20-166(a), regarding a driver's duty to stop in the event of a crash, that changed the criminal classification of violations where the crash results in the death of another person to a Class D felony. Instead, maintains existing law making all willful violations a Class F felony and adds that the court must sentence the defendant in the aggravated range of the appropriate Prior Record Level if the crash results in the death of another person.

Changes the act's long title.