HB 1045, known as the Fair Wages in Health Care Act, establishes minimum hourly wages for five specific direct care occupations in North Carolina: home care aides, direct support professionals, certified nursing assistants, psychiatric aides, and licensed practical nurses. The bill sets wage floors ranging from $18 to $24 per hour depending on the role, with protections against employers using different job titles to avoid paying the required rates. To help healthcare providers meet these new costs, the Department of Health and Human Services must adjust reimbursement rates for publicly funded programs and update contracts with managed care organizations. The law takes effect on October 1, 2027, and applies to all employers in the state, regardless of whether they are public or private entities.
This North Carolina bill allocates $31,000 in state funds to a specific nonprofit organization called Joyful Soul Treasures, Inc. The money is designated for a marketing campaign and an eight-week workshop aimed at improving sexual health education and awareness. The program specifically targets adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18, covering costs for materials, instructors, and event supplies. The funding is intended for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, with the act becoming effective on July 1, 2026.
HB 1059 establishes a new state minimum wage of $15.00 per hour in North Carolina, which will automatically increase each year based on inflation starting in 2027. The bill creates the North Carolina Wage Board to review wage competitiveness and allows local governments to set their own higher minimum wages if they choose. It also introduces a short-time compensation program to help businesses manage layoffs during economic downturns and sets a lower minimum wage of $11.00 for small businesses with annual revenue under $400,000. Additionally, the legislation maintains existing provisions for subminimum wages for students, individuals with disabilities, and seasonal food service workers while clarifying rules around tip credits and pooling.
HB 1047, the North Carolina Microplastics Study Act, directs the North Carolina Collaboratory at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to study the presence and impacts of microplastics in the state's waterways. Funded with $150,000 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, the bill requires the Collaboratory to identify plastic particles, assess their environmental and health risks, and develop strategies to prevent future pollution and reverse existing harm. The Collaboratory must work with state agencies and stakeholders to create a prioritized research plan and standardized detection methods, ultimately submitting a comprehensive report with findings and policy recommendations by July 1, 2027.
This bill requires the North Carolina Attorney General to investigate any incidents within the state involving federal immigration enforcement that result in serious bodily injury or death. The law defines federal immigration enforcement to include agents from Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as well as local officers authorized to perform immigration duties. Upon completing an investigation, the Attorney General must publicly release findings and recommendations while protecting the identities of victims and minors, and must also provide copies to state legislative leaders. To support these investigations, the bill appropriates $450,000 in state funds for the 2026-2027 fiscal year and applies to incidents occurring after the law takes effect.
HB 1052 allocates $1 million from the state's General Fund to Forsyth County in the Triad region for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. These nonrecurring funds are designated as a directed grant specifically for the Cure Violence Program, which aims to reduce violence in the area. The legislation becomes effective on July 1, 2026, and does not alter existing laws but provides new financial resources for this specific initiative.
This bill establishes strict conditions under which North Carolina law enforcement agencies can enter into agreements with federal immigration authorities, requiring that federal agents adhere to specific state laws and operational limits. Key provisions mandate that federal agents must be clearly identified, cannot conduct enforcement near schools or polling places, and generally cannot enter homes or use surveillance technology without a valid judicial warrant. Additionally, the legislation requires a judicial warrant for any federal immigration enforcement action within the state, with exceptions only for valid criminal warrants. To support local implementation, the bill also appropriates $40 million to counties for hiring additional law enforcement and corrections personnel.
HB 1057, known as the Affordable Food Act, aims to improve food security in North Carolina by expanding access to nutritious food and supporting local agriculture. The bill authorizes the state to request a federal waiver to create a program that matches SNAP benefits for purchases of fruits, vegetables, and other healthy foods at retailers and farmers markets. It also allocates state funding to administer these incentive programs and covers potential administrative losses due to recent federal changes to SNAP. Additionally, the legislation seeks to protect agricultural land from development and prohibits dynamic pricing in grocery stores to stabilize food costs.
This bill amends North Carolina's divorce laws to allow victims of domestic violence to file for divorce immediately without waiting the standard one year and six months of separation. It also eliminates the requirement to prove that the separation lasted for six months prior to filing the divorce complaint and removes defenses like recrimination that could block a divorce. Additionally, the legislation abolishes the outdated legal claims of alienation of affection and criminal conversation, which previously allowed lawsuits against third parties for interfering in a marriage. A separate provision in the bill appropriates $3 million in state and federal funds to expand the NC Medicaid Family Planning Program, effective in the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
This bill, known as the Plyler Educational Protections Act, ensures that all children in North Carolina public schools receive equal access to education regardless of their immigration status or their parents' citizenship. It prohibits schools from denying enrollment, excluding students from programs, or asking for documentation related to a student's or parent's immigration history, with limited exceptions for legal warrants or parental consent. To enforce these protections, the legislation requires schools to create specific action plans that designate a single point of contact for immigration authorities and establish clear procedures for handling their requests on campus. Additionally, the bill mandates that schools notify parents within 24 hours if immigration officials visit the school and provides guidelines for sharing student information only when legally required or authorized.
This bill creates the Frontline Mental Health Support Program in North Carolina to offer confidential counseling to public school teachers and first responders who face occupational stress. Eligible employees, including law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel, can access up to 12 licensed therapy sessions per year through in-person or telehealth options. The legislation appropriates $13 million in recurring funds starting in 2026-2027 to establish the program and expand the behavioral health workforce via grants to providers. It also mandates that participation cannot be used as grounds for any adverse employment actions and requires a report on the program's implementation by 2028.
This bill prohibits grocery stores in North Carolina from using automated systems to set individualized prices for specific customers and blocks mergers that could significantly reduce competition in the food retail sector. While it bans personalized pricing, the law allows for standard practices such as promotional discounts, location-based taxes, and special rates for groups like seniors or military personnel. Additionally, the legislation limits credit card surcharges to a maximum of two percent and requires the state Department of Justice to create a team that publishes quarterly reports on average prices for groceries and essential utilities. Enforcement of these rules will be supported by a recurring five million dollar appropriation to the Attorney General's office, with the act taking effect on October 1, 2026.
