North Carolina 2025 Session Status: In Committee 12 D cosponsors

SB 358 — Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

Last action — Passed 1st Reading

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced March 20, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the Senate.

Prognosis

Stalled 26% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Low

How often bills like it became law.

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 12 sponsors

    2 primary, 10 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (12 D).

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

In plain language

The bill enhances penalties for hate crimes and establishes related training and a statistics database.

The Hate Crimes Prevention Act increases the scope and punishment of hate crimes in North Carolina. It mandates the creation of a hate crimes database and training for law enforcement and prosecutors on handling these offenses.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

30 added · 31 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of Senate Bill 358 includes additional provisions that allow individuals injured by certain actions to seek compensation for their legal fees and other costs incurred during litigation. It also clarifies the responsibilities of legal professionals involved in mediation and dispute resolution, specifically those with training in racial issues. These changes are important because they enhance the rights of victims seeking justice and ensure that those facilitating resolutions are properly equipped to handle sensitive matters.

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FILED SENATE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA Mar 20, 2025 S.B.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2025 S 1 SENATE BILL 358 Short Title:
358 SESSION 2025 PRINCIPAL CLERK S D SENATE BILL DRS45108-MLa-44 Short Title:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO INCREASE THE SCOPE AND PUNISHMENT OF HATE CRIMES;
Rules and Operations of the Senate March 24, 2025 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO INCREASE THE SCOPE AND PUNISHMENT OF HATE CRIMES;
(d) In addition to any other remedies at law or in equity, a person who is injured or whose property is damaged as a result of conduct described under subsection (c) of this section, or an immediate family member of that person, may bring a civil action in any court of competent jurisdiction to obtain appropriate relief, including actual damages, punitive damages, any reasonableattorneys' fees, and any otherlitigationcosts reasonably incurred.
(d) In addition to anyother remedies at law or in equity, a person who is injured or whose property is damaged as a result of conduct described under subsection (c) of this section, or an immediate family member of that person, may bring a civil action in any court of competent jurisdiction to obtain appropriate relief, including actual damages, punitive damages, any reasonableattorneys' fees, and anyotherlitigation costs reasonablyincurred.
For purposes of this subsection, the term (i) "actual damages" includes damages *DRS45108-MLa-44* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 for emotional distress and (ii) "immediate family member" means a child, sibling, parent, grandparent, or legal guardian of the victim.
For purposes of this subsection, the term (i) "actual damages" includes damages *S358-v-1* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 for emotional distress and (ii) "immediate family member" means a child, sibling, parent, grandparent, or legal guardian of the victim.
(e) In addition to any other remedies at law or in equity, a person who has been convicted oforwhohas pleaded guilty orno contest to having engagedin conduct in violationofsubsection (c) of this section may be ordered to participate in a restorative justice session with the victim of the offense if the victim requests a restorative justice session.
(e) In addition to anyother remedies at law or in equity, a person who has been convicted oforwhohas pleaded guiltyorno contest to having engagedin conduct in violationofsubsection (c) of this section may be ordered to participate in a restorative justice session with the victim of the offense if the victim requests a restorative justice session.
If restorative justice under this subsection is ordered, the court shall select a member of a local Human Relations Commission, an attorney, amediator,or an alternativedisputeresolution professional whohas training in racial equity education to conduct the restorative justice session.
If restorative justice under this subsection is ordered, the court shall select a member of a local Human Relations Commission, an attorney, amediator,or an alternativedisputeresolution professional who has trainingin racial equity education to conduct the restorative justice session.
… (c) In addition to any other remedies at law or in equity, a person who is injured or whose property is damaged as a result of conduct described under subsection (a) of this section, or an immediate family member of that person, may bring a civil action in any court of competent jurisdiction to obtain appropriate relief, including actual damages, punitive damages, any reasonableattorneys' fees, and any otherlitigationcosts reasonably incurred.
… (c) In addition to anyother remedies at law or in equity, a person who is injured or whose property is damaged as a result of conduct described under subsection (a) of this section, or an immediate family member of that person, may bring a civil action in any court of competent jurisdiction to obtain appropriate relief, including actual damages, punitive damages, any reasonableattorneys' fees, and anyotherlitigation costs reasonablyincurred.
(d) In addition to any other remedies at law or in equity, a person who has been convicted oforwhohas pleaded guilty orno contest to having engagedin conduct in violationofsubsection (a) of this section may be ordered to participate in a restorative justice session with the victim of the offense if the victim requests a restorative justice session.
(d) In addition to anyother remedies at law or in equity, a person who has been convicted oforwhohas pleaded guiltyorno contest to having engaged in conduct in violation ofsubsection (a) of this section may be ordered to participate in a restorative justice session with the victim of the offense if the victim requests a restorative justice session.
If restorative justice under this subsection is ordered, the court shall select a member of a local Human Relations Commission, an attorney, amediator,oran alternativedisputeresolution professional whohas training in racial equity education to conduct the restorative justice session.
If restorative justice under this subsection is ordered, the court shall select a member of a local Human Relations Commission, an attorney, amediator,oran alternativedisputeresolution professional whohas trainingin racial equity education to conduct the restorative justice session.
– Bodily injury that creates a substantial risk of death or that causes serious permanent disfigurement, coma, a permanent or protracted condition that causes extreme pain, or permanent or protracted loss Page 2 DRS45108-MLa-44 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ or that results in prolonged hospitalization.
– Bodily injury that creates a substantial risk of death or that causes serious permanent disfigurement, coma, a permanent or protracted condition that causes extreme pain, or permanent or protracted loss Page 2 Senate Bill 358-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ or that results in prolonged hospitalization.
(b) Anyone who, in whole or in part, because of the actual or perceived race, ethnicity, color, religion, nationality, country of origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability, or sexual orientation of another person or a person or group associated with that person, commits an assault and inflicts serious bodily injury or attempts to commit an assault and inflicts serious bodily injury is guilty of committing the offense of felonious assault as a hate crime.
(b) Anyone who, in whole or in part, because of the actual or perceived race, ethnicity, color, religion, nationality, country of origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability, or sexual orientation of another person or a person or group associated with that person, commits an assault and inflicts serious bodilyinjuryor attempts to commit an assault and inflicts serious bodily injury is guilty of committing the offense of felonious assault as a hate crime.
(c) Except as provided otherwise by this section, an offense committed under this section is a Class F felony.
(c) Except as provided otherwise bythis section, an offense committed under this section is a Class F felony.
(e) In addition to any other remedies at law or in equity, a person who is injured or whose property is damaged as a result of conduct described under subsection (b) of this section, or an immediate family member of that person, may bring a civil action in any court of competent jurisdiction to obtain appropriate relief, including actual damages, punitive damages, any reasonableattorneys' fees, and any otherlitigationcosts reasonably incurred.
(e) In addition to anyother remedies at law or in equity, a person who is injured or whose property is damaged as a result of conduct described under subsection (b) of this section, or an immediate family member of that person, may bring a civil action in any court of competent jurisdiction to obtain appropriate relief, including actual damages, punitive damages, any reasonableattorneys' fees, and anyotherlitigation costs reasonablyincurred.
(f) In addition to any other remedies at law or in equity, a person who has been convicted oforwhohas pleaded guilty orno contest to having engagedin conduct in violationofsubsection (b) of this section may be ordered to participate in a restorative justice session with the victim of the offense if the victim requests a restorative justice session.
(f) In addition to anyother remedies at law or in equity, a person who has been convicted oforwhohas pleaded guiltyorno contest to having engagedin conduct in violationofsubsection (b) of this section may be ordered to participate in a restorative justice session with the victim of the offense if the victim requests a restorative justice session.
If restorative justice under this subsection is ordered, the court shall select a member of a local Human Relations Commission, an attorney, amediator,oran alternativedisputeresolution professional whohas training in racial equity education to conduct the restorative justice session.
If restorative justice under this subsection is ordered, the court shall select a member of a local Human Relations Commission, an attorney, amediator,oran alternativedisputeresolution professional whohas trainingin racial equity education to conduct the restorative justice session.
DRS45108-MLa-44 Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (3) The disposition of each offense.
Senate Bill 358-First Edition Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (3) The disposition of each offense.
14-3(c), 14-401.14, or 14-34.11." Page 4 DRS45108-MLa-44 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 4.(b) G.S.
14-3(c), 14-401.14, or 14-34.11." Page 4 Senate Bill 358-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 4.(b) G.S.
… (14) Establish minimum standards for in-service training for criminal justice officers.In-servicetrainingstandardsforswornlawenforcementofficersshall include all of the following training topics:
… (14) Establish minimum standards for in-service training for criminal justice officers.
In-servicetrainingstandardsforswornlawenforcementofficersshall include all of the following training topics:
DRS45108-MLa-44 Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 …." SECTION 4.(d) This section becomes effective July 1, 2025.
Senate Bill 358-First Edition Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 …." SECTION 4.(d) This section becomes effective July 1, 2025.
Page 6 DRS45108-MLa-44
Page 6 Senate Bill 358-First Edition
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How this bill changes current law

7 changes Share ↗

Compared against the N.C. General Statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill expands the definitions and penalties related to hate crimes in North Carolina, incorporating additional protected characteristics and creating a hate crimes statistics database.

  • G.S. 14-3

    because of the victim's race, color, religion, nationality, or country of origin → because of the victim's actual or perceived race, ethnicity, color, religion, nationality, or country of origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability, or sexual orientation of the victim or a person or group associated with the victim

    The bill expands the scope of hate crimes to include more protected characteristics.

  • G.S. 14-3

    the offender shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor → the offender shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. If any Class A1 or Class 1 misdemeanor offense is committed because of the victim's actual or perceived race, ethnicity, color, religion, nationality, or country of origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability, or sexual orientation of the victim, the offender shall be guilty of a Class H felony.

    The bill increases the punishment for certain hate crimes, making offenses targeting specific characteristics a Class H felony.

  • G.S. 14-401.14

    because of race, color, religion, nationality, or country of origin → because of the actual or perceived race, ethnicity, color, religion, nationality, or country of origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability, or sexual orientation of another person or a person or group associated with that person

    The bill broadens the scope of the ethnic intimidation law to include additional categories of identity.

  • G.S. 14-401.14

    the person shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. → the person shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. In addition to any other remedies at law or in equity, a person who is injured or whose property is damaged as a result of conduct described under subsection (a) of this section, or an immediate family member of that person, may bring a civil action in any court of competent jurisdiction to obtain appropriate relief, including actual damages, punitive damages, any reasonable attorneys' fees, and any other litigation costs reasonably incurred.

    The bill allows victims of hate crimes to pursue civil actions for damages in addition to criminal penalties.

  • G.S. 15A-1340.16(d)(17)

    (17) The offense for which the defendant stands convicted was committed against a victim because of the victim's actual or perceived race, ethnicity, color, religion, nationality, or country of origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability, or sexual orientation of the victim or a person or group associated with the victim.

    The bill mandates that hate-related factors be considered in sentencing.

  • Article 8 of Chapter 14

    § 14-34.11. Felonious assault as a hate crime...

    The bill establishes a new offense for felonious assault committed as a hate crime, enhancing penalties for such conduct.

  • Article 13 of Chapter 143B

    § 143B-1209. Hate crime statistics...

    The bill requires the State Bureau of Investigation to collect and report hate crimes statistics, establishing a data tracking mechanism.

Action History

  1. Passed 1st Reading

  2. Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

  3. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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2 sponsors · 10 co-sponsors · 167 not signed on

Sponsors (2)

Co-sponsors (10)

Not signed on (167)

167 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 167 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety civil-rights
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 358?
SB 358 is sponsored by Joyce Waddell (Democratic), Caleb Theodros (Democratic), DeAndrea Salvador (Democratic), Gladys A. Robinson (Democratic), Natalie S. Murdock (Democratic), Paul A. Lowe, Jr. (Democratic), Lisa Grafstein (Democratic), Val Applewhite (Democratic), Sophia Chitlik (Democratic), Mujtaba A. Mohammed (Democratic), Jay J. Chaudhuri (Democratic), and Kandie D. Smith (Democratic).
What is the current status of SB 358?
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced March 20, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track SB 358?
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