SB 418 authorizes North Carolina's Commissioner of Insurance to establish and operate a state-run health benefits exchange, creating a marketplace for residents to shop for health insurance plans compliant with federal law. The bill gives the Commissioner authority to set rules, apply for federal funding, and form advisory committees to manage the exchange, with $100,000 appropriated for 2025-2026 to launch it. This directly affects North Carolinians seeking health insurance, providing an alternative to the federal marketplace. The exchange must align with the federal Affordable Care Act, and the bill explicitly prohibits state agencies from pursuing a federal "Partnership" model without legislative approval.
SB 363 makes two key changes to North Carolina retirement systems. First, it extends the temporary entry period for charter schools seeking to join the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System, allowing up to two additional years beyond the initial one-year provisional period, and requires financial reviews before full participation. Second, it shifts authority from the State Treasurer to the Board of Trustees to decide whether to restore benefits forfeited due to criminal convictions, requiring individuals to repay contributions with 6.5% annual interest in a lump sum upon reversal. These changes apply to charter schools and retirement system members affected by forfeiture rules under multiple retirement systems. The bill focuses on administrative clarity and procedural updates without altering benefit eligibility or funding.
HB 426 establishes the Workforce Diploma Program to help North Carolina adults aged 21+ without high school diplomas earn diplomas while gaining job skills. The program requires approved providers to offer courses combining diploma requirements with career training, including employability certifications and industry credentials. Participants receive milestone-based funding up to $7,500 per person, with payments tied to completing half-credits, certifications, or diplomas. The program mandates annual reports tracking participant outcomes like diplomas earned, credits, and workforce credentials. It appropriates $5 million for implementation starting July 2025.
HB 587 appropriates $2 million from the state General Fund for the Salvation Army of Cape Fear to construct a Corps Community Center in Wilmington. The center will provide after-school tutoring, business training, and recreational programs while offering meeting space for underserved communities in New Hanover, Columbus, Brunswick, Bladen, and Pender Counties. It will also serve as an emergency shelter during hurricanes, coordinating with New Hanover County Emergency Management. The funding supports the Salvation Army's $7.5 million Build Hope Capital Campaign, which has secured most of its financing through public-private partnerships. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025.
HB 594 allocates $5 million from the state general fund to the City of Fayetteville for constructing a second entrance into the Kings Grant neighborhood. This one-time grant would provide an additional access point for residents of the Kings Grant neighborhood, improving connectivity to the area. The funding is designated for the 2025-2026 fiscal year and becomes effective July 1, 2025.
HB 596 establishes the Standard Course of Study Advisory Commission (SCOS Commission) to advise North Carolina's State Board of Education on academic standards. The 18-member commission includes teachers, principals, parents, school administrators, business representatives, and university officials to provide stakeholder input. It will recommend standards for core subjects like math, science, and civics that must be grade-specific, measurable, and aligned with college readiness requirements. These recommendations will guide updates to curriculum, testing, and teacher training programs used across public schools statewide.
HB 595 restricts certain curriculum content in North Carolina public schools, directly affecting K-12 students and their parents. It bans instruction on gender identity, sexual activity, or sexuality in grades K-6 (except answering student questions) and requires parental written consent for such topics in grades 7-12. The bill mandates that schools provide age-appropriate health education materials, including 60-day parental review periods for materials related to sexual health, HIV/AIDS prevention, and reproductive health. It also specifies that human growth education in 4th and 5th grades must be single-sex, scientifically based, and require annual parental consent.
HB 621 appropriates $1.5 million from North Carolina's General Fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to provide a directed grant to Safe Alliance, Inc. for its Umbrella Center in Charlotte. The funds will directly support the center's services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse, and human trafficking by enabling additional land acquisition and a deceleration lane. The bill requires the funds to be used specifically for expanding these victim services and infrastructure. It becomes effective July 1, 2025, and is currently pending in the House Appropriations Committee.
HB 608 amends North Carolina's computer trespass law to add automatic minimum damages for unauthorized copying of protected health information (like medical records) or government employee personnel files (including SSNs, medical history, and salary details). It establishes a $5,000 minimum penalty per violation for breaches involving either type of sensitive data, replacing the previous requirement to prove actual damages. The law directly affects healthcare providers, government employers, and anyone handling such data, ensuring victims can recover at least $5,000 per incident without proving financial loss. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to offenses committed after that date.
HB 599 provides a 7.5% across-the-board salary increase for all North Carolina Forest Service (NCFS) employees, directly affecting approximately 500+ state workers. The bill appropriates $2.6 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year (effective July 1, 2025) and an additional $5.2 million for 2026-2027 (effective July 1, 2026) from the state general fund. These increases are funded through recurring annual appropriations, meaning the funding is guaranteed each year. The bill requires no new policy changes but allocates specific state budget resources to adjust employee compensation.
HB 582, titled "Providing Relief to Impacted Families Act," creates a quarterly tax refund program for specific nonprofits using motor fuel. It directly affects eligible organizations like volunteer fire departments, rescue squads, sheltered workshops (recognized by DHHS), and nonprofits distributing free food, by refunding the excise tax paid on fuel minus one cent per gallon. The key provision requires these nonprofits to claim refunds quarterly based on prior quarter purchases, reducing their operational costs. The bill does not address family relief as implied by its title but focuses solely on tax refunds for qualifying nonprofit entities. The measure is currently pending in the House Finance Committee.
HB 619, the Health Care Security Act, repeals a law that would have ended Medicaid expansion coverage in North Carolina if federal funding dropped below 90%. This change directly affects the state's Medicaid expansion population, ensuring their coverage remains secure regardless of federal funding fluctuations. The bill removes a specific statutory trigger (G.S. 108A-54.3C) that previously threatened automatic discontinuation of benefits. It does not create new programs or alter eligibility but prevents coverage loss due to federal funding changes. The act becomes effective upon enactment.
