Enacts GS 14-223.1, which (1) defines first responder to include a law enforcement officer, firefighter, emergency medical technician or medical responder, a probation or parole officer, or any person whose employment duties include the custody, transportation, or management of persons who are detained or confined to a detention facility, youth development center, or correctional institution operated under the jurisdiction of the State or a local government; (2) defines harass as willfully engaging in a course of conduct directed at a first responder which intentionally causes that responder substantial emotional distress and serves no legitimate purpose; and (3) makes it a Class 2 misdemeanor for a person, after receiving a verbal warning not to approach from a person he or she knows or reasonably should know is a first responder, who is engaged in the lawful performance of a legal duty, to knowingly and willfully violate that warning and approach/remain within 25 feet of the first responder with the intent to either impede or interfere with the first responder’s ability to perform his or her duty, threaten physical harm, or harass the first responder.  

Effective December 1, 2026, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.

Appropriates $25,000 for 2026-27 from the General Fund to the Department of Public Safety to be used for costs incurred to develop and implement a marketing campaign to make the public aware of GS 14-223.1.

Effective July 1, 2026.