House Bill 761 Summary

• Creates a new Class H felony for breaking and entering into law enforcement vehicles (owned or operated by law enforcement agencies, North Carolina National Guard, or Armed Forces) when the person knows or reasonably should know the vehicle belongs to a law enforcement agency.

• Establishes a new Class H felony for stealing law enforcement equipment from law enforcement vehicles, with enhanced penalties escalating to Class G felony if the equipment value exceeds $1,000.

• Defines "law enforcement equipment" to include firearms, weapons, ammunition, radios, computers, handcuffs, phones, cell site simulators, light bars, and sirens.

• Makes technical corrections to expunction petition requirements under previous session laws 2021-118 and 2021-123.

• Effective December 1, 2021, for offenses committed on or after that date.