Courts may order registration for certain offenses involving minors

Sentencing courts consider whether to order sex-offender registration for people convicted of the listed offenses involving minors. The offenses cover giving minors obscene material, giving them other material harmful to minors, or allowing them to view a harmful live performance. A court must consider whether the person is a danger to the community and whether registration would further the program’s purposes. The court may order registration only if it finds both that the person is a danger to the community and that registration should be required. These provisions apply to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2026. Earlier offenses remain subject to the prior rules.

The Human Trafficking Commission studies state needs and how to develop a statewide reporting and response system. The study covers human trafficking needs in North Carolina and the process for developing a statewide reporting and response system. After the study, the Commission is encouraged, but not required, to help stakeholders develop a system. The intended system would refer people to the National Human Trafficking Hotline for crisis support when needed, alert law enforcement and child protection officials to high-priority reports, and let authorized staff review and respond. Communication with survivors or reporters requires consent. The study provision took effect when the act became law.

Third-party contractors ensure certain vacation-rental workers complete human-trafficking awareness training. The rule covers third-party contractors providing housekeeping or check-in and check-out services at vacation rentals. This applies to contractor employees who clean the rental or provide guest check-in or check-out services. This provision took effect when the act became law and applies to training required to be completed on or after that date.