Enhances penalties for sexual battery and stalking involving local government officials and their subordinates.

This bill enhances penalties for sexual battery and stalking in North Carolina, particularly when the perpetrator is a local government elected official and the victim is a fellow governing board member or subordinate employee. It defines stalking as a course of conduct that causes substantial emotional distress or fear for safety. Penalties increase to a Class H felony for stalking by public officials against board members or employees. The law aims to ensure effective intervention by the criminal justice system to prevent escalation of stalking behavior.

Enhances penalties for sexual battery and stalking involving local government officials and their subordinates.

This bill enhances penalties for sexual battery and stalking in North Carolina, particularly when the perpetrator is a local government elected official and the victim is a fellow governing board member or subordinate employee. It defines stalking as a course of conduct that causes substantial emotional distress or fear for safety. Penalties increase to a Class H felony for stalking by public officials against board members or employees. The law aims to ensure effective intervention by the criminal justice system to prevent escalation of stalking behavior.