AN ACT to increase the punishment for breaking and entering a pharmacy.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  Article 14 of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 14‑54.2.  Breaking or entering a pharmacy.
(a)	Definition. – The following definitions apply to this section:
(1)	Pharmacy. – A business that has a pharmacy permit under G.S. 90‑85.21.
(2)	Controlled substance. – As defined in G.S. 90‑87(5).
(b)	Offense. – A person who breaks or enters a pharmacy with the intent to commit a larceny of a controlled substance is guilty of a Class E felony.
(c)	Additional Offense. – Unless the conduct is covered under some other provision of law providing greater punishment, a person who receives or possesses any controlled substance stolen in violation of subsection (b) of this section, knowing or having reasonable grounds to believe the controlled substance was stolen, is guilty of a Class F felony.
(d)	Forfeiture. – Any interest a person has acquired or maintained in property obtained in violation of this section shall be subject to forfeiture pursuant to the procedures for forfeiture as set forth in G.S. 90‑112."
SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective December 1, 2019, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 13th day of June, 2019.

	s/	 Daniel J. Forest
	 President of the Senate

	s/	 Tim Moore
	 Speaker of the House of Representatives

	s/	 Roy Cooper
	 Governor

Approved 2:34 p.m. this 21st day of June, 2019