North Carolina Sen. Blue assault penalty bill for utility workers passes House and Senate

Newly passed bill sponsored by State Sen. Dan Blue seeks to enhance protections for utility and communications workers by increasing penalties for assaults committed while they perform their duties, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

In the House, 25 Democrats and 65 Republicans voted in favor of the bill, while 20 Democrats opposed it.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 18 Democrats and 28 Republicans voted in favor of the bill.

Blue filed the bill in the North Carolina Senate on March 17 during the 2025 regular session.

The legislation, known as SB 311, was passed on June 18 during the 2025 regular session.

According to the North Carolina General Assembly site, the bill’s official text was formally listed with the short title: “Utility Worker Protection Act.”

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

In essence, this bill amends the existing law to increase the punishment for committing an assault against a utility or communications worker. Under the new provision, any person who assaults a utility or communications worker while the worker is readily identifiable and discharging or attempting to discharge their duties will be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. The term “utility or communications worker” covers employees, agents, or contractors of organizations providing electricity, natural gas, telecommunications services, or internet access. The bill specifies that workers must be easily identifiable, such as by wearing a uniform or logo-bearing outerwear. This act becomes effective Dec. 1, 2025, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.

A related bill, SB 322, was also filed in the North Carolina Senate, introduced by Sen. Danny Earl Britt, Jr. on March 18, 2025.

The bill was sponsored by Sen. Dan Blue (Democrat-14th District), Sen. Danny Earl Britt, Jr. (Republican-24th District), and Sen. David W. Craven, Jr. (Republican-29th District).

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.

Blue graduated from North Carolina Central University in 1970 with an AB and again from Duke University with a JD.

Blue, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2009 to represent the state’s 14th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Vernon Malone.

Under North Carolina law, bills must receive three readings in each chamber. According to the UNC School of Government, once a bill “passes its constitutionally required second reading and moves to its constitutionally required third reading,” additional debate can occur, but the final stage is often treated as a formality. Unless a legislator requests a roll-call, the third reading may be approved by voice vote or unanimous consent without a separate recorded tally.