NC Senate Approves Tougher Penalties for Showing Obscenities to Minors

Would apply to any obscene performance in front of children

Sen. Buck Newton: “This is a simple update that addresses some of the more disturbing trends we’ve been seeing in recent years.”

Raleigh, N.C. — Today, the North Carolina Senate voted unanimously to pass legislation that will better protect children from obscene material or acts of obscenity.

Senate Bill 579, “Prevent Harm to Children,” increases the penalty for violating North Carolina’s existing obscenity law to a Class H felony for disseminating obscene material or engaging in an obscene performance in the presence of a minor. This is a tougher punishment than current law and could result in an offender facing jail-time on the first offense. The bill does not change the definition of obscenity under North Carolina law which has been in place since 1974.

“This is a simple update that addresses some of the more disturbing trends we’ve seen in recent years,” said bill sponsor Sen. Buck Newton (R-Wilson). “Our society is heading in the wrong direction and this bill says we’re not going to let children face such corruption.”

“The bill is pretty straightforward: If you don’t commit obscene acts in front of children then you have nothing to worry about,” said bill sponsor Sen. Danny Earl Britt, Jr. (R-Robeson). “The fact that there has been opposition speaks volumes to where we are as a society and why the bill is needed.”

Approval of Senate Bill 579 comes after it was reported that there is a criminal investigation into the disturbing incident that took place on the campus of Forsyth Technical Community College in March. The incident involved a drag performer straddling a minor.

“What happened at Forsyth Tech was a clear indication that we’ve got to do something at the state level,” said bill sponsor Sen. Warren Daniel (R-Burke). “This bill is an appropriate step that will help put an end to this string of vulgar behavior.”

Senate Bill 579 now heads to the North Carolina House of Representatives for consideration.