NC S539

Elevates assault against a utility worker who is performing their duties to a Class A1 misdemeanor, the most serious misdemeanor classification in North Carolina

Defines "utility worker" broadly to include employees and contractors of any organization providing gas, heat, electricity, water, telecommunications, sewer, cable/video, internet, or railroad services, regardless of whether State-created, private, municipal, county, or cooperatively owned

Adds utility workers to the list of protected persons under the felony assault statute (G.S. 14-34.2), making assault with a firearm or deadly weapon against a utility worker performing their duties a Class E felony

Becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies only to offenses committed on or after that date; pending prosecutions for prior offenses remain under existing law