Rep. Balkcom files bill in North Carolina House to revise crimes against minors laws

A new bill filed by State Rep. Jennifer Balkcom in the North Carolina House seeks to revise laws related to crimes against minors, including solicitation and sex offender registration, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 449 on March 18 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Crimes Against Minors/Revise Law.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill aims to revise laws concerning crimes against minors, specifically the solicitation of minors by computer, sex offender registration, and indecent exposure offenses. It increases the punishment for the solicitation of minors by computer, elevating a first offense to a Class H felony and a subsequent offense or a first violation with a prior similar conviction to a Class D felony. The bill mandates that certain sex offender registration petitions be placed on the criminal docket. Additionally, it establishes the offenses of habitual indecent exposure and aggravated habitual indecent exposure, classifying them as Class F and Class E felonies, respectively, and requiring offenders to register as sex offenders. Sections of the bill will take effect Dec. 1, 2025, applying to offenses and petitions filed on or after that date.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Charles W. Miller proposed the most bills (26) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Balkcom graduated from Blue Ridge Community College in 2016 with an AA.

Balkcom, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 117th House district, replacing previous state representative Timothy Moffitt.