RALEIGH -- Sunday marks the implementation of 40 new laws across the Tar Heel state. The most high-profile changes include increased punishments for adults who endanger or abuse children.

One law more than double the maximum prison sentence for the most-serious child-abuse charges. Another requires parents to alert authorities when they did not know the location of their children under 16 or not had contact with them for 24 hours. Failure to do so will now be a low-grade felony.

Those who have been convicted of human trafficking when the victim is under 18 are now required to register as sex offenders.

The state is also reducing the penalty for 25 misdemeanor crimes that rarely resulted in jail time to a fine-only punishment.