House Bill 535, known as the "Title Fraud Prevention Act," aims to combat property title fraud by increasing penalties for filing fraudulent deeds and enhancing recording procedures. The bill requires Registers of Deeds to verify the identity of individuals, who are not designated "trusted submitters" (such as attorneys or title companies), presenting certain property instruments for recording by requiring a government-issued photographic identification card. It also authorizes Registers of Deeds to refuse to register instruments deemed "suspicious" or if identity verification requirements are not met. Additionally, the bill escalates the criminal penalties for filing fraudulent deeds, making it a felony offense.
House Bill 283 establishes the Small Business Investment Grant (SBIG) Program within the One North Carolina Fund, designed to provide financial assistance to eligible small businesses looking to establish or expand facilities in the state. The bill allocates up to $10 million from the Fund to this new account. Through the SBIG Program, competitive grants are offered to businesses meeting specific criteria, such as having 250 or fewer employees or less than $5 million in annual revenue, investing $10-$30 million, and creating new jobs with competitive wages. Grants are capped at $500,000 annually per recipient, up to $2.5 million total, over a maximum of five years. Additionally, the bill renames the "One North Carolina Small Business Account" to the "Small Business Research and Technology Account," which continues to support federal SBIR/STTR grant incentive and matching programs.
HB 953 establishes a Study Committee to examine the pay rates of assistant district attorneys, assistant public defenders, and private assigned counsel in North Carolina. This 12-member committee, comprising legislators, judicial representatives, and legal professionals, will research current pay structures, compare them to other states, and analyze factors affecting attorney recruitment and retention, including cost-of-living. The committee is tasked with studying various pay models and will report its findings and legislative recommendations to the General Assembly by March 2026 and March 2027.
SB 336 establishes the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, creating a streamlined pathway for qualified physicians to obtain licenses in multiple participating states. This compact aims to enhance the portability of medical licenses and improve patient access to healthcare by allowing eligible physicians to apply for an "expedited license." To qualify, physicians must meet specific criteria, including holding an unrestricted license in a member state, passing medical exams, completing graduate medical education, and maintaining a clean disciplinary and criminal record. The bill also defines how physicians designate a 'state of principal license' and outlines the role of an Interstate Commission in managing the compact.
HB 94 allows disabled veterans and their unremarried surviving spouses to prequalify for the disabled veteran property tax homestead exclusion. This means individuals can apply to determine their eligibility for the tax benefit before they purchase a permanent residence. Applicants submit a prequalification form with their disability certification, and the county assessor must notify them of their eligibility within 30 days. The bill aims to help taxpayers and lenders account for this tax relief when making home purchase decisions. After prequalification, a separate application for the exclusion is still required once a permanent residence is acquired.
House Bill 795 expands eligibility for guardianship assistance programs for youth in foster care. It allows the Division of Social Services to provide financial support to children who are at least 10 years old when they exit foster care into relative or legal guardianship, provided they meet other criteria like a strong attachment to their guardian. The bill also permits younger siblings of eligible children to receive assistance. Additionally, it allows individuals to continue receiving support until age 21 if they were 16 or older when the agreement began and are pursuing education or employment.
HB 567, titled "Ensure Access to Biomarker Testing," mandates that North Carolina health benefit plans provide coverage for biomarker testing for the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of various diseases or conditions. This coverage is required when the testing is supported by medical and scientific evidence, such as FDA approval or nationally recognized clinical guidelines. The bill also prohibits insurers from denying coverage, raising premiums, or charging higher rates based on an individual's biomarker information. Additionally, it establishes a 24-hour timeline for insurers to complete utilization reviews for urgent healthcare services, aiming to improve access to diagnostic testing and care for North Carolinians.
This bill creates a new State Infrastructure Bank Board in North Carolina to manage federal, state, and private funding for transportation, water, and sewer infrastructure projects. The Board will be composed of six state officials including the Secretaries of Commerce, Transportation, and Environmental Quality, along with the State Treasurer, Auditor, and Budget Officer, and will operate independently within the Department of Commerce. It authorizes the Board to provide loans and financial assistance to local governments and toll authorities for infrastructure development, requiring repayment with interest and security based on project revenues or other assets. The legislation also establishes specific accounting procedures for the bank's funds, outlines rules for loan approval, and transfers existing infrastructure bank funds to this new Board, with an effective date of July 1, 2025.
HB 297, titled "Breast Cancer Prevention Imaging Parity," aims to ensure equal health insurance coverage for different types of breast cancer imaging. The bill mandates that health benefit plans apply the same cost-sharing requirements (like deductibles and copayments) for diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations, such as MRIs and ultrasounds, as they do for routine screening mammograms. This ensures individuals needing these additional medically necessary tests do not face higher out-of-pocket costs compared to standard screenings. It also maintains existing coverage for cervical cancer screenings and includes provisions for high-deductible health plans.
HB 547, titled the "Children's Services Protection Act," limits the liability of nongovernmental organizations and independent contractors working with the Department of Health and Human Services and its affiliated agencies. For nongovernmental organizations, the bill specifies they are liable for their own negligence but not for harm caused by the public agency. For independent contractors providing health, human, and welfare services, their liability is capped at the same monetary limits as the public agency, and the State will indemnify them for damages exceeding those limits. This act clarifies legal responsibilities for entities contracting with public agencies to deliver these services.
HB 894 modifies the North Carolina State Building Code to allow certain licensed federal firearms dealers to be exempt from standard door lock requirements during nonbusiness hours. This exemption applies to businesses primarily selling firearms or ammunition with up to 15,000 square feet of retail space, allowing doors to remain locked from the inside when closed to the public. To qualify, businesses must pay a $500 permit fee, have an approved alarm system, provide a locking plan to employees, and post warning signs. The State Building Code Council is directed to adopt permanent rules for this exemption, with temporary provisions in effect until then.
HB 681 directs the Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services to update state rules for outpatient opioid treatment programs (OTPs). The bill aims to align these rules more closely with federal regulations governing medications for opioid use disorder, affecting patients receiving treatment and the OTPs providing care. Key changes include removing home environment stability as a criterion for take-home medication and prohibiting administrative discharge due to continued substance use or missed doses. It also reduces the frequency of required drug tests, removes observed testing, and allows OTPs to administer methadone to non-enrolled patients. The Commission must engage with clients and providers for input and publish the proposed amended rules by July 1, 2025.
