As of Dec. 1, North Carolina has more than a dozen new bills in force. The Division of Motor Vehicles and human trafficking are just two of the many topics covered by the new laws. After lawmakers overrode their vetoes, a number of the measures were passed into law. A number of the new laws are either modifications or additions to existing legislation.
Bill 834, the Juvenile Justice Modifications, is one of the most controversial laws that will go into force. It permits 16 and 17-year-olds who commit certain major offenses to face adult trials.
Another is the legislation that now restricts when it is acceptable for someone to wear a face mask in public. The Unmasking Mobs and Criminals Act, or House Bill 237, aims to make it simpler to prosecute people who try to hide their identity while committing a crime by donning masks. This would eliminate the pandemic-era clause that allowed the wearing of masks for medical purposes. The law also prohibits people from standing, sitting, or sleeping in ways that impede driving on streets or highways.
A new campaign funding law is the other. The bill was first opposed by Governor Roy Cooper, who said it would allow for unrestricted, covert campaign funding.
Sheriffs around the state are required by House Bill 10 to collaborate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). To give ICE the opportunity to seize a suspect who is suspected of being in the country illegally, they must hold them for a maximum of 48 hours. School vouchers, another measure included in HB10 that takes effect this month, will give the Opportunity Scholarship program about $463 million in grants to parents who wish to send their kids to private or religious K–12 institutions.
Some of the new laws in North Carolina are listed here, in no specific order:
This law allows Wake County to switch the higher education partner for its two leadership academies, the Wake Young Women’s Leadership Academy and the Wake Young Men’s Leadership Academy, from Saint Augustine’s University. Initiatives to limit young people’s access to tobacco, nicotine, and other associated substances are also included.
This bill targets the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in multiple areas. One is that by the time this part of the bill goes into effect on July 1, 2025, the DMV must have a plan in place to issue a digital driver’s license.
modifications to a number of NCDOT regulations, such as the need that vehicle identification numbers or other vehicle identifying information be included on toll bills. The new bill raises processing fees for unpaid tolls. Additionally, the law permits billboard companies to remove more trees from state roads.
constructing codes. This bill suggests a number of changes to the current building code requirements.
Sexual offenses. With this law, the offense of releasing private images will be defined, sex offender and public protection registration programs will be updated, sexual extortion offenses will be created, and offenses involving the sexual exploitation of kids will be updated.
Trafficking in Humans. The Department of Labor is required by the new law to create and provide training on human trafficking awareness for managers of vacation rental properties, lodging facilities, and accommodation facilitators. Additionally, the measure modifies the penalties for arrests connected to trafficking.
has to do with laws governing hog farms. The measure may restrict how the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality (NCDEQ) evaluates hog farm permits and changes watershed protections. Cooper rejected another bill, saying it would lead to more polluted water, biased permitting, and environmental dangers for North Carolina.
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Eliot Pierce is a dedicated writer for ChiefsFocus.com, covering local crime and finance news. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Eliot aims to provide his readers with clear and insightful analysis, helping them navigate the complexities of their financial lives while staying informed about important local events. His commitment to delivering accurate and engaging content makes him a valuable resource for the community.