2025 Public Safety Act.

The bill was updated from a committee substitute version (Edition 4) to a ratified final version, with formatting adjustments to the header and session information.

Created a new criminal offense for knowingly exposing children under 16 to controlled substances, with penalties escalating from Class H felony for exposure to Class B1 felony if exposure causes death.

Added requirements for medical examiners to provide complete investigation files to district attorneys when deaths are under criminal investigation, including autopsy photographs and recordings.

Modified autopsy record disclosure rules to specify exactly who may receive copies of autopsy reports (estate representatives, beneficiaries, and immediate family members) while maintaining restrictions on public disclosure.

Added specific definitions for 'child' (under 16 years old) and 'controlled substance' in the new criminal offense section.

Established that the new child exposure offense becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.

Added House Committee Substitute #2 Favorable 6/24/25 to the bill header, indicating an additional committee review and approval stage.

Updated the version identifier from S429-v-3 to S429-v-4 to reflect the new edition of the bill.

Removed provisions increasing penalties for felons who possess firearms or weapons of mass destruction during felony commission, which previously established Class F, D, and C felony charges based on brandishing or discharging weapons.

Added new requirements for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to provide complete autopsy investigation files to district attorneys when deaths are under criminal investigation, including toxicology reports, autopsy photos, and audio/video recordings.

Modified the structure of the bill by repositioning the child drug exposure exemption subsection from the end of the document to the beginning, and replacing the firearm section with autopsy disclosure provisions.

Added continuing disclosure obligations requiring medical examiners to provide any new records discovered after an initial request to district attorneys, with termination of this obligation occurring when criminal investigation ends.

Deleted the original comprehensive list of 35 policy changes that included hemp bans in schools, autopsies disclosure revisions, solicitation of minors updates, and numerous other public safety reforms.

Added a new criminal offense (Class H through Class B1 felonies) for knowingly or recklessly exposing a child under 16 to controlled substances, with escalating penalties based on ingestion and injury outcomes.

Eliminated provisions prohibiting hemp-derived consumable products on school grounds and related policy language.

Established new definitions for 'child' (under 16 years), 'controlled substance' (including marijuana and targeted substances), and 'ingest' (any means of consumption or absorption).

Added an exemption for individuals who intentionally give a child a prescribed controlled substance from a licensed medical professional in the prescribed amount and manner.

Corrected formatting and numbering in existing sections regarding post-conviction relief timelines and firearm possession penalties by felons.

Added formal session header information including 'GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2025' and bill tracking number 'S429-v-1'.

Added referral information showing the bill was referred to 'Rules and Operations of the Senate' on March 25, 2025.

Removed internal document tracking identifier 'DRS45205-ML-5A' which was used during the drafting phase.

Changed the filing date from March 24, 2025 to reflect the official edition date of March 25, 2025.