NC S117

Codifies common law establishing that it is murder when a child born alive dies from injuries inflicted prior to birth.

Murder charges and degree determinations follow existing first and second degree murder statutes, with degree determined by the circumstances of the injury infliction.

Effective December 1, 2013, and applies only to offenses committed on or after that date.

Explicitly exempts unintentional acts or omissions by the child's birth mother during pregnancy from the law's application.

Prosecutions for offenses committed before the effective date continue under previously applicable law and common law standards.