Rep. Jeffers files bill in North Carolina House to protect utility workers

A new bill filed by State Rep. B. Ray Jeffers in the North Carolina House seeks to enhance protections for utility and communications workers by increasing penalties for assaults against them, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 258 on March 3 during the 2025 regular session, 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, the bill, titled the Utility Worker Protection Act, aims to enhance penalties for assaults on utility or communications workers. It amends existing laws to classify the assault of these workers as a Class A1 misdemeanor, provided they are readily identifiable and engaged in their work duties. This definition includes employees, agents, or contractors associated with any organization, whether state-created, private, municipal, county, or cooperative, providing essential services such as electricity, natural gas, telecommunications, or internet access. Additionally, the bill stipulates that its provisions will not affect prosecutions for offenses committed before its effective date of Dec. 1, 2025, emphasizing the continuity of applicable laws for such cases.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Charles W. Miller proposed the most bills (14) 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.

Jeffers, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 2nd House district, replacing previous state representative Larry Yarborough.