NC H283

Increases assault with a firearm on law enforcement officers, probation officers, or parole officers from a Class E felony to a Class D felony, effective December 1, 2019.

Increases penalties for assault with a deadly weapon against emergency personnel (firefighters, EMTs, medical responders, and hospital personnel) from Class H to Class G felony, and from Class F to Class E felony when a firearm is used, effective December 1, 2019.

Establishes an additional $100,000 death benefit for families of public safety employees murdered in the line of duty, paid to surviving spouses, dependent children, dependent parents, or the employee's estate in that order of priority.

The murder-in-the-line-of-duty death benefit applies retroactively to deaths occurring on or after July 1, 2016, pending appropriation of funds by the General Assembly.

Ratified October 3, 2019 and approved by Governor Roy Cooper on October 9, 2019.