This bill removes the requirement for Ambulatory Surgical Facilities and Inpatient Rehabilitation Services to obtain a Certificate of Need before opening or expanding in North Carolina. It directly affects healthcare providers operating these facilities by eliminating a regulatory approval step that previously required state permission for new construction or major expansions. The legislation also allocates funds to the Department of Health and Human Services to help phase out the remaining Certificate of Need laws in the state and updates legal definitions to exclude behavioral health facilities from these review processes.
This bill proposes to allocate $2,178,000 in state funds to hire at least 25 additional Adult Protective Services workers across North Carolina counties starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The money is intended specifically to cover salaries and benefits for new staff who will investigate reports of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, with distribution based on factors like case volume and the number of seniors in each area. The legislation explicitly prohibits using these funds to replace existing staff or for any purpose other than paying the new workers. Although the bill was withdrawn from committee in May 2026, its primary function is to increase state funding for local social services agencies to address a growing demand for elder abuse investigations.
The Foundational Mathematics Act establishes state requirements to improve math proficiency for North Carolina students from kindergarten through eighth grade. It mandates that schools provide at least 60 minutes of daily, evidence-based math instruction and require students to take math assessments three times per year to identify skill gaps. Students who fall below grade level must receive targeted interventions documented in a Mathematics Success Plan, while the state will also create a new program to support artificial intelligence in math instruction.
This bill allocates $6 million in state funds to expand two food assistance programs in North Carolina for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The first $4 million supports FarmSHARE, which provides grants to buy locally grown food and distribute it for free to food-insecure individuals and households. The second $2 million funds the Double Up Food Bucks Program, allowing people receiving nutrition assistance to use their benefits to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers markets and other local retailers. Both programs require the state department to submit annual reports detailing participation numbers, distribution metrics, and financial data to legislative oversight committees. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2026.
This bill allocates state funds to enhance workforce training for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in North Carolina community colleges. It establishes a program to offer micro-credentials and on-the-job training, while funding specific roles to connect colleges with business partners and expand career pathways for high school students. Additionally, the legislation directs money toward a study on creating faster routes for apprentices to become teachers and provides resources to implement a secure digital wallet system for managing academic credentials.
HB 122, the North Carolina Healing Arts Act, would establish a new North Carolina Healing Arts Commission to regulate specific complementary medicine professions. It directly affects reflexologists and music therapists by requiring them to obtain state licenses to practice, ensuring they meet standards for public safety and professional competence. The bill creates the Commission to develop licensing rules, issue and enforce licenses, handle disciplinary actions, and set fees - all funded by practitioner fees rather than state funds. This legislation aims to protect consumers by standardizing qualifications for these healing arts professions while creating a formal regulatory structure.
This bill prohibits individuals from updating their voter registration information, such as changing addresses or names, at the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or through its website. Instead, any changes to an existing registration must now be processed exclusively at the local County Board of Elections. The legislation requires that applications for these updates be forwarded electronically to the appropriate election board within five business days of submission. This change directly affects drivers who previously could manage their voting records while handling their license renewals or corrections at a DMV office.
This bill requires the Brunswick County Board of Commissioners to decide all development approvals using a roll call vote, where each member's individual choice is recorded in the official meeting minutes. It directly affects the county's planning process by mandating this specific voting method for every development decision made by the board. The legislation repeals a previous state law that allowed for different voting procedures and takes effect immediately upon becoming law.
This bill prohibits federal or state troops from being stationed at North Carolina voting locations within 17 days of an election, unless they are needed to repel an armed enemy. It also restricts the release of voters' personal data, such as social security numbers and email addresses, to federal agencies unless a judge issues a court order or arrest warrant. While the law allows standard law enforcement to remain for emergencies or specific requests, it creates a legal path for voters to seek court injunctions if these rules are violated. The legislation applies to all elections held on or after it becomes effective and includes penalties for those who breach these protections.
HB 1193, known as the Mike Clampitt Bone Marrow Donation Act, designates November as Marrow Donation Awareness Month in North Carolina. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Motor Vehicles to promote bone marrow donation by posting public service announcements online and displaying them at driver license offices. Additionally, the legislation appropriates $100,000 to fund a state-wide public awareness campaign for this initiative, with the law taking effect on July 1, 2026.
HB 1033 reformulates the North Carolina Board of Dental Examiners by changing how its members are selected and limiting their voting power. The bill requires that only dentists and dental hygienists vote on licensing decisions for their respective professions, while public consumer members cannot vote on any dental licensing matters. Additionally, the bill shifts the appointment process so that board members are chosen by the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Commissioner of Labor rather than being elected by the dental profession. These changes aim to address a previous legal ruling by ensuring the board includes public representatives and operates with a structure that balances professional expertise with consumer oversight.
HB 1166 reorganizes the North Carolina Advisory Council on Rare Diseases by moving it from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to the Department of Health and Human Services. The bill establishes a 19-member council with diverse representation, including physicians, researchers, patients, caregivers, and industry representatives, who will advise state officials on research, diagnosis, treatment, and education for rare diseases. It also provides funding for the council's operating expenses and sets rules for membership terms, meetings, and the selection of a chair.
