NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY

1979 SESSION

CHAPTER 897

SENATE BILL 332

AN ACT TO MAKE CERTAIN TYPES OF CHILD ABUSE A FELONY.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

Section 1.  A new section is added to Chapter 14 of the General Statutes to read as follows:

"§ 14-318.3.  Child abuse a felony. — (a) Any parent of a child less than 16 years of age, or any other person providing care to or supervision of the child who intentionally inflicts any serious physical injury which results in:

(1)        permanent disfigurement, or

(2)        bone fracture, or

(3)        substantial impairment of physical health, or

(4)        substantial impairment of the function of any organ, limb, or appendage of such child,

is guilty of a felony punishable by imprisonment for a period not to exceed five years.

(b)        The felony of child abuse is an offense additional to other civil and criminal provisions and is not intended to repeal or preclude any other sanctions or remedies."

Sec. 2.  This act applies to acts occurring on or after the date of ratification. This act shall become effective on January 1, 1980.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified, this the 8th day of June, 1979.