NC H729

Creates new criminal offense of "reckless assault of a child" under G.S. 14-32.5, applicable to persons age 18 and older who recklessly cause serious bodily injury to the brain of a child under five years old.

Defines serious bodily injury to include either the standard definition in G.S. 14-318.4 or extreme rotational cranial acceleration/deceleration combined with subdural hemorrhaging, intracranial hemorrhaging, or retinal hemorrhaging.

Specifies conduct that constitutes the offense includes shaking a child or slamming/throwing a child so as to impact the child's head on a hard surface or object.

Classifies reckless assault of a child as a Class D felony unless the conduct is covered under another provision of law providing greater punishment.

Becomes effective December 1, 2011, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.