NC S361

Increases the penalty for assault or affray causing physical injury to emergency responders (EMTs, firefighters, rescue squad members, hospital employees, health care providers) from a Class I felony to a Class H felony

Creates a new Class H felony for unlawfully and intentionally possessing fentanyl or other harmful drugs/chemical agents and exposing an emergency responder to them; elevated to Class G felony if the exposure causes serious bodily injury

Establishes a Class I felony for willfully failing to notify emergency responders of the presence of fentanyl or other harmful drugs/chemical agents at a location they are responding to

Appropriates $10,350,000 in nonrecurring General Fund money to the NC Office of Emergency Medical Services for FY 2025-2026 to distribute as grants for protective equipment: $8.1 million for bulletproof vests and $2.25 million for bulletproof backpack plates for paramedics and EMTs

Criminal provisions take effect December 1, 2025; funding provisions take effect July 1, 2025, with funds available until July 1, 2028