Rep. Stevens files bill in North Carolina House to expand no contact orders for violent offenders

A new bill filed by State Rep. Sarah Stevens in the North Carolina House seeks to strengthen protections for victims of violent offenses and enhance penalties for child abuse, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 182 on Feb. 24 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Rev. Law Perm. Protect Order/Child Abuse.’

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

In essence, the bill, effective Dec. 1, 2025, allows judges to issue permanent no contact orders against defendants convicted of certain violent offenses, including those necessitating sex offender registration and certain Class A through G felonies. It mandates a show cause hearing upon a district attorney’s request during sentencing to determine if a victim’s fear of future contact is reasonable. Additionally, the bill revises child abuse laws, specifying that any person responsible for a child under 16 who commits, permits, or allows sexual acts or prostitution involving the child is guilty of a Class D felony. The revisions also establish stricter punishments for acts or omissions resulting in serious bodily or physical injury to the child.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Kyle Hall proposed the most bills (11) 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.

Stevens graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1981 with a BS and again in 1986 from Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law with a JD.

Stevens, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2009 to represent the state’s 90th House district, replacing previous state representative Jim Harrell.