North Carolina 2023-2024 Regular Session

North Carolina Senate Bill S464

Introduced
4/3/23  

Caption

Raise the Age of Sexual Consent

Impact

If enacted, SB 464 will significantly impact existing statutory rape laws. The bill reclassifies offenses involving individuals aged 16 and 17 when the actor is at least four years older as Class B1 felonies, thus imposing stricter penalties for perpetrators. Moreover, it removes liability under certain conditions for those under 18, thereby offering additional protection to minors. This legislative change emphasizes a heightened responsibility to protect young individuals from sexual exploitation and abuse.

Summary

Senate Bill 464, known as the 'Raise the Age of Sexual Consent' bill, proposes to increase the legal age of sexual consent in North Carolina from 16 to 18 years. The bill amends various sections of the state's criminal code to reflect this change, redefining statutory rape and sexual offenses, thereby increasing the legal protections for minors under 18. The updates aim to better align state laws with evolving societal views on consent and the protection of minors.

Sentiment

The sentiments surrounding SB 464 are largely supportive among child welfare advocates, law enforcement, and many legislators who view it as a necessary step towards enhancing the protection of minors. Proponents argue that raising the age of consent acknowledges the vulnerability of younger teens and seeks to prevent abuse. However, there are some concerns from opponents regarding the implications of stricter laws on consensual adolescent relationships, particularly in situations where individuals are close in age. This has sparked ongoing discussions about the balance between protection and personal autonomy.

Contention

Notable points of contention within the legislative discussions have revolved around the potential consequences of the bill on consensual relationships between teenagers. Critics argue that the bill may unintentionally criminalize normal youth behavior, particularly relationships with small age differences. Despite these concerns, the overarching narrative within the committee appears to support raising the age of consent in the interest of safeguarding minors from exploitation and abuse.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

NC HB0016

Sexual Offenses Amendments

NC H83

Revise Laws Governing Minors

NC H591

Modernize Sex Crimes

NC H142

Protect Our Students Act.-AB

NC SB0144

Sexual Crimes Amendments

NC HB0207

Sexual Offense Revisions

NC SB0167

Sexual Exploitation Amendments

NC SB974

Relating to sexual assault; and declaring an emergency.

NC HB525

Enhance penalties for certain sexual crimes

NC HB1187

In authorized disposition of offenders, further providing for Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition prohibited; in criminal homicide, further providing for the offense of murder; in assault, further providing for the offense of stalking and for the offense of unauthorized administration of intoxicant; in sexual offenses, further providing for definitions and for the offense of rape, repealing provisions relating to the offense of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and further providing for the offense of sexual assault, for the offense of institutional sexual assault, for the offense of sexual assault by sports official, volunteer or employee of nonprofit association, for the offense of aggravated indecent assault and for general rule relating to loss of property rights; in wiretapping and electronic surveillance, further providing for definitions and for order authorizing interception of wire, electronic or oral communications; in public indecency, further providing for the offense of prostitution and related offenses; in firearms and other dangerous articles, further providing for persons not to possess, use, manufacture, control, sell or transfer firearms; in minors, further providing for transmission of sexually explicit images by minor; in criminal history record information, further providing for expungement and for juvenile records; in child custody, further providing for consideration of criminal conviction; in protection from abuse, further providing for definitions; in child protective services, further providing for definitions, for exclusions from child abuse and for employees having contact with children and adoptive and foster parents; in domestic and sexual violence victim address confidentiality, further providing for penalties; in limitation of time, further providing for infancy, insanity or imprisonment, for no limitation applicable and for other offenses; in depositions and witnesses, further providing for spouses as witnesses against each other and for hearsay; in juvenile matters, further providing for definitions, for inspection of court files and records, for law enforcement records, for conduct of hearings, for transfer to criminal proceedings and for assessment of delinquent children by the State Sexual Offenders Assessment Board; in court-ordered involuntary treatment of certain sexually violent persons, further providing for definitions and for court-ordered involuntary treatment; in sentencing, further providing for sentences for second or subsequent offenses, for sentences for offenses against elderly persons, for sentences for offenses against infant persons, for sentences for offenses committed while impersonating a law enforcement officer, for sentencing for trafficking of persons, for definitions, for sexual offenses and tier system, for termination of period of registration for juvenile offenders, for assessments, for registration and for assessments; in judicial change of name, further providing for change by order of court; in Pennsylvania Board of Probation and Parole, further providing for parole procedure; and, in interstate compacts, further providing for supervision of persons paroled by other states.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.