Bill Summary for H 34 (2023-2024)

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Summary date: 

Jan 30 2023

Bill Information:

View NCGA Bill Details2023-2024 Session
House Bill 34 (Public) Filed Monday, January 30, 2023
AN ACT ENACTING THE PROTECT THOSE WHO SERVE AND PROTECT ACT.
Intro. by Hastings, Saine, Carson Smith, Pyrtle.

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Bill summary

Enacts GS 14-34.1A, making it a Class H felony to willfully or wantonly discharge or attempt to discharge any firearm or barreled weapon capable of discharging shot, bullets, pellets, or other missiles at a muzzle velocity of at least 600 feet per second at or into any unoccupied emergency vehicle. Defines emergency vehicle to include a vehicle of law enforcement and fire departments, ambulances, rescue squads, the National Guard, the US Armed Forces, or the Division of Adult Corrections and Juvenile Justice of the Department of Public Safety. 

Amends GS 14-34.8, making it a Class I felony to intentionally point a laser at any of the specified categories of persons while that person is in the performance of his or her duties. Persons specified include law enforcement officers; probation officers; parole officers; certain detention facility, youth development center, or correctional institution employees; firefighters; emergency medical technicians/providers; National Guard members; US Armed Forces members; and certain court counselors (previously, intentionally pointing a laser at a law enforcement officer was an infraction; other specified persons were not included in the statute, and the precondition that the persons be in the performance of his or her duty was not included). Additionally, makes it a Class A1 misdemeanor to intentionally point a laser at a law enforcement agency animal or a search and rescue animal while the animal is in the performance of its duty. Makes conforming changes. 

Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2023.