A new bill filed by Sen. Britt seeks to improve safety for emergency responders by increasing penalties for assaults and harmful exposures during their duties, according to the North Carolina State Senate.
The bill, filed as SB 361 on March 20 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Protecting First Responders Act.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, the bill, known as the Protecting First Responders Act, seeks to enhance penalties for assaulting certain emergency responders by classifying such acts as a Class I felony and addresses exposure to fentanyl or other harmful agents. It criminalizes exposing emergency responders to these agents as a Class H felony, with escalated charges to a Class G felony if exposure causes serious bodily injury. Additionally, it introduces a Class I felony for failing to notify responders of the presence of harmful substances. Effective Dec. 1, 2025, these provisions aim to increase responder safety. Furthermore, the bill appropriates $10.35 million in nonrecurring funds for the 2025-26 fiscal year to support first responders through grants for bulletproof vests and backpack plates, with funds available until July 1, 2028. This section becomes effective July 1, 2025.
Of the three sponsors of this bill, Jim Burgin 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.
Britt graduated from University of Oklahoma with a JD.
Britt, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2023 to represent the state’s 24th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Amy Galey.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Danny Earl Britt, Jr., Jim Burgin, and W. Ted Alexander | SB 361 | 03/20/2025 | Protecting First Responders Act. |
| Danny Earl Britt, Jr., Buck Newton, and Warren Daniel | SB 355 | 03/20/2025 | Support the Dept. of Adult Correction.-AB |
| Danny Earl Britt, Jr., Brad Overcash, and Michael A. Lazzara | SB 321 | 03/18/2025 | Accounting Workforce Development Act. |
| Danny Earl Britt, Jr. | SB 322 | 03/18/2025 | Utility Worker Protection Act. |
| Danny Earl Britt, Jr., Buck Newton, and Warren Daniel | SB 310 | 03/17/2025 | Religious Property – Tax Exemption. |
| Danny Earl Britt, Jr., Dan Blue, and David W. Craven, Jr. | SB 311 | 03/17/2025 | Utility Worker Protection Act. |
| Danny Earl Britt, Jr., Dana Jones, and David W. Craven, Jr. | SB 312 | 03/17/2025 | The Stars and Stripes Commitment Act. |
| Danny Earl Britt, Jr., Eddie D. Settle, and Todd Johnson | SB 268 | 03/12/2025 | Amend NC PEO Act.-AB |
| Danny Earl Britt, Jr., Eddie D. Settle, and Todd Johnson | SB 269 | 03/12/2025 | Insurance Guaranty Association Act Revisions.-AB |
| Danny Earl Britt, Jr., Eddie D. Settle, and Todd Johnson | SB 270 | 03/12/2025 | Credit Property Insurance Restrictions.-AB |
| Danny Earl Britt, Jr., Eddie D. Settle, and Todd Johnson | SB 271 | 03/12/2025 | Permitted Trade Practices/Insurance Rebates.-AB |
| Danny Earl Britt, Jr., Michael A. Lazzara, and Todd Johnson | SB 265 | 03/11/2025 | Protecting Our Community Act. |
| Danny Earl Britt, Jr., Timothy D. Moffitt, and Warren Daniel | SB 266 | 03/11/2025 | Historic Flood Event Bldg. Code Exemption. |
| Danny Earl Britt, Jr., Buck Newton, and Warren Daniel | SB 254 | 03/10/2025 | Establish Offense for Poss. of Explosive. |
| Danny Earl Britt, Jr., Amy S. Galey, and Vickie Sawyer | SB 250 | 03/06/2025 | Celebrate America’s 250th-Let Freedom Ring!. |
| Danny Earl Britt, Jr., Bill Rabon, and Tom McInnis | SB 220 | 02/27/2025 | Protect Private Property Rights.-AB |
| Danny Earl Britt, Jr. | SB 127 | 02/21/2025 | Lower Taxes for Scotland County. |
| Danny Earl Britt, Jr., Amy S. Galey, and Buck Newton | SB 117 | 02/18/2025 | GSC Uniform Comm. Code/Emerging Technologies. |
| Danny Earl Britt, Jr., Eddie D. Settle, and Warren Daniel | SB 50 | 02/04/2025 | Freedom to Carry NC. |
| Danny Earl Britt, Jr., Eddie D. Settle, and Todd Johnson | SB 51 | 02/04/2025 | Maintain NAIC Accreditation of DOI.-AB |
| Danny Earl Britt, Jr. | SB 52 | 02/04/2025 | 24th Senatorial District Local Act-1. |
