North Carolina Sets New Felony Penalties for Child Substance Exposure Starting Dec. 1

In Raleigh, North Carolina, a new law aimed at enhancing the safety of children will come into effect on December 1. This law, known as Session Law 2025-70, will introduce more severe penalties for individuals who put minors at risk of harm by exposing them to controlled substances. The legislation elevates such actions to a Class H felony, applying to offenses committed from the specified date onward.

The updated law introduces additional language to the existing state statute, criminalizing the act of knowingly, intentionally, or recklessly endangering a child's life through exposure to controlled substances. Lawmakers highlighted that this amendment addresses previous gaps in the legal framework, particularly in cases where children were endangered without immediate harm.

Stricter consequences are outlined if a child actually ingests the substance. In such instances, the offender would face a Class E felony charge. If the child sustains severe bodily harm, the offense escalates to a Class D felony. In cases where exposure leads to the death of a child, the severity of the charge can vary between a Class C or Class B1 felony based on the circumstances.

Advocates of the legislation argued that law enforcement needed clearer directives to prosecute individuals in scenarios involving hazardous living conditions, neglect related to substance abuse, or inadequate caregiving practices. This new law grants the judiciary broader discretion to assess risks, even in the absence of immediate harm.

This initiative forms part of a comprehensive statewide strategy to modernize child protection regulations and enhance legal mechanisms for addressing cases involving substance exposure, negligent conduct, and avoidable harm to minors.