New NC laws on arson, domestic protections begin

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Tougher penalties for certain types of arsons and largescale thefts at stores in North Carolina are among all or portions of 10 new state laws approved by the General Assembly, this year, that will take effect, today.

The enacted legislation creates new felony crimes for setting fire to a prison, an occupied commercial structure or an unoccupied commercial structure. Arsonists also will face a felony if a first responder suffers a “serious injury” from the blaze.

Another law attempts to crack down on large, organized thefts at stores. Crimes of “organized retail theft” already are on the books, but now there are more serious felonies when the value of property stolen over a 90-day period exceeds $50,000. Store owners also can recover stolen goods more quickly and sue thieves for specific damages.

Also beginning, today, Wildlife Resources Commission officers will be able to accuse someone of a misdemeanor when a person breaks rules the commission creates to respond in an emergency to a serious wildlife disease. The previous law had limited such punishments to $25 fines.

Used car dealers also can now face $50 fines if they fail to formally inspect a vehicle before it’s offered for sale, something they’re already required to do. That’s part of an omnibus motor vehicle and transportation law.