H258 - Novel Opioid Control Act of 2023

• Adds 26 novel synthetic opioids (including brorphine, AP-237, U-47700 derivatives, nitazene derivatives, and butonitazene) to North Carolina's controlled substances list, effective August 1, 2023.

• Increases fines for trafficking in heroin, fentanyl, or carfentanil to $500,000-$1,000,000 depending on quantity (4-14 grams up to 28+ grams), effective December 1, 2023.

• Expands "death by distribution" offense to include unlawful delivery and ingestion of certain controlled substances that cause death, creating three new offense categories (Class C, C B2, and B1 felonies), effective December 1, 2023.

• Extends limited immunity from prosecution under Good Samaritan law to possession of less than one gram of any controlled substance (previously limited to cocaine and heroin), effective December 1, 2023.

• Establishes Task Force on Enforcement of Fentanyl and Heroin Drug Violations to study law enforcement strategies for combating illegal manufacturing, importation, and distribution, with interim report due 2024 and final report due 2025.