GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA

SESSION 2005

SESSION LAW 2005-235

SENATE BILL 972

AN ACT to create the criminal offense of breaking or entering a building that is a place of RELIGIOUS worship.

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:

"§ 14-54.1.  Breaking or entering a building that is a place of religious worship.

(a) Any person who wrongfully breaks or enters any building that is a place of religious worship with intent to commit any felony or larceny therein is guilty of a Class G felony.

(b) As used in this section, a 'building that is a place of religious worship' shall be construed to include any church, chapel, meetinghouse, synagogue, temple, longhouse, or mosque, or other building that is regularly used, and clearly identifiable, as a place for religious worship."

SECTION 2.  This act becomes effective December 1, 2005, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.

In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 21^st day of July, 2005.

                                                                    s/ Marc Basnight

                                                                         President Pro Tempore of the Senate

                                                                    s/ James B. Black

                                                                         Speaker of the House of Representatives

                                                                    s/ Michael F. Easley

                                                                         Governor

Approved 2:01 p.m. this 29^th day of July, 2005