A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to increase the punishment for disseminating obscenity, to clarify the regulations on adult live entertainment, and to prohibit sexual contact with a minor.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 14‑190.1(g) reads as rewritten:
"(g)	Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, a violation of this section is a Class I felony. A violation of this section committed knowingly in the presence of an individual under 18 years of age is a Class H felony."
SECTION 2.  Article 26 of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 14‑190.15A.  Restrictions on adult live entertainment.
(a)	Offense. – It is unlawful for a person to engage in adult live entertainment knowing, or having reason to know, that individuals under the age of 18 are present.
(b)	Punishment. – A person who violates subsection (a) of this section is guilty of a Class A1 misdemeanor for the first offense. A person who violates subsection (a) of this section is guilty of a Class I felony for a second or subsequent offense.
(c)	Definitions. – For purposes of this section, "adult live entertainment" shall have the same meaning as defined in G.S. 14‑202.10."
SECTION 3.  Article 26 of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 14‑202.1A.  Sexual contact with a minor.
(a)	Definition. – The following definitions shall apply to this section:
(1)	Intimate parts. – A person's sexual organ, anus, breast, groin, or buttocks.
(2)	Sexual contact. – Any of the following intentional touching, if the intentional touching can reasonably be construed as being for the purpose of sexual arousal or gratification, done for a sexual purpose, or done in a sexual manner:
a.	The intentional touching of a person's intimate parts or the intentional touching of the clothing covering the person's intimate parts.
b.	The intentional touching of another person with a person's own intimate parts, whether or not those intimate parts are clothed.
(b)	Offense. – Unless the conduct is covered under some other provision of law providing greater punishment, a person is guilty of sexual contact with a minor if, being 18 years of age or more, the person engages in sexual contact with a minor.
(c)	Punishment. – A person who violates subsection (b) of this section is guilty of a Class A1 misdemeanor."
SECTION 4.  This act becomes effective December 1, 2023, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.