HB 1203 North Carolina House · 2025-2026 Session

Family Support for Those Who Serve Act.

This bill expands tuition waivers at North Carolina community colleges to children of public safety workers who are injured or disabled in the line of duty. It allows children aged 17 to 24 of law enforcement officers, experienced correctional officers, and firefighters to attend classes for free if their parent is permanently and totally disabled due to a traumatic work-related injury. The waiver covers the cost of tuition for the time needed to complete the student's chosen educational program, provided they meet standard admission requirements. The law takes effect with the 2026-2027 academic year.

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Apr 2026

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Apr 30, 2026 Last action Jun 10, 2026

Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Edition 1 → Edition 2 · 4 edits

MODERATE

This bill was converted from a draft version to a committee substitute, which removed the original text of the statute and replaced it with a new, standalone section. The substantive policy changes include removing the definition of 'survivor' (children of deceased officers) and the specific 54-month tuition limit, while retaining the eligibility for children of living officers and firefighters.

Scope change

The bill's scope was narrowed by removing eligibility for children of public safety officers who have died in the line of duty or become permanently disabled, and the maximum tuition waiver period was changed from a fixed 54 months to an unlimited duration based on the program length.

ELIGIBILITY

Removed eligibility for children of public safety officers who are survivors of deceased or permanently disabled officers.

REQUIREMENT

Changed the tuition waiver limit from a maximum of 54 months to an unlimited amount equal to the total months required to complete the educational program.

DEFINITION

Deleted the legal definition for 'survivor' and the specific definition for 'tuition' that excluded fees and textbooks.

TECHNICAL

Replaced the original legislative text with a new, standalone section to update the General Statutes.

Floor votes

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Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Jun 10, 2026

Committee

Re-ref Com On Appropriations

lower

Jun 10, 2026

Lower · Passed

Reptd Fav Com Substitute

lower

May 5, 2026

Committee

Ref to the Com on Higher Education, if favorable, Appropriations, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

lower

Apr 30, 2026

Introduced

Filed

lower

3 primary · 23 co-sponsors