NC H325

Creates new offense of burning during commission of another felony, making it a Class D felony if fire or explosive damages a dwelling, structure, building, or conveyance causing $10,000 or more in damages while committing a felony.

Expands G.S. 14-69.3 to include law enforcement officers and fire investigators (in addition to firefighters and emergency medical technicians) as protected persons who suffer serious bodily injury during arson investigations, making such conduct a Class E felony.

Defines "fire investigator" as any person with responsibility and authority to determine origin, cause, or development of fire or explosion.

Defines "emergency medical technician" to include EMT, EMT-intermediate, and EMT-paramedic as defined in G.S. 131E-155.

Amends G.S. 58-79-1 to authorize the Office of the State Fire Marshal to investigate fires in addition to existing authorities.

Sections 1 and 2 become effective December 1, 2018, applying to offenses committed on or after that date.