Budget & Taxes (Children)

died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 845: Luggage for Children Placed in Foster Care.

This North Carolina bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to provide new luggage, such as suitcases or backpacks, to children entering or currently in the foster care system when they are removed from a household. The legislation appropriates specific funds for this purpose and allows the department to accept additional donations, while explicitly defining new luggage as unused containers and excluding disposable bags. To ensure accountability, the bill requires an annual report detailing how often disposable bags are still used and how the new luggage inventory is managed. These changes take effect on July 1, 2026, aiming to improve the personal belongings provided to children in state care.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates specific funds to provide luggage for foster children, directly advancing the budget topic by allocating resources to a social service program.85% confidence

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in committee · North Carolina · House May 4, 2026

HB 1158: Increase Market Rate/Rate Floor/Child Subsidy.

This bill raises child care subsidy rates in North Carolina to the 75th percentile of market costs, directly benefiting low-income families who use state-funded care. Starting in July 2026, the state will automatically update these rates based on future market studies and establish a minimum payment floor for providers in counties where local rates are lower. The legislation appropriates $60 million from the General Fund and $20 million from federal grants to cover the initial increase, with an additional $160 million allocated to maintain the statewide rate floor. While most counties will adopt the new statewide standard, areas with very few children in specific age groups may keep their current rates if the state rate would be too low to secure care for eligible families.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $80M to increase child care subsidies and establish payment floors, directly funding essential public services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Tags Children

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 30, 2026

HB 1107: Families Providing Foster Care/Funds.

HB 1107 allocates $2 million in recurring state funds to support families who provide foster care in North Carolina. Beginning in the 2026-2027 fiscal year, these funds will be distributed to county social services departments based on documented need to help with recruiting, training, and supporting foster families. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, and aims to assist the Division of Social Services in its efforts to maintain foster care placements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $2 million in recurring state funds to support foster care families and social services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $2M to support foster care families, addressing a critical aspect of child health and social services.75% confidence

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in committee · North Carolina · House Mar 26, 2025

HB 507: The Children First Act.

HB 507, "The Children First Act," expands affordable child care access for North Carolina families by increasing subsidy eligibility to 85% of state median income and raising subsidy rates to cover actual care costs. It allocates $50 million annually for subsidies and $15 million for grants to establish new child care facilities in rural or underserved areas, targeting "child care deserts." The bill also creates an employer-provided child care credit to incentivize workplace child care programs. These provisions directly affect low-to-moderate-income families, child care providers, and employers seeking to support working parents.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $50M annual subsidies and $15M grants for child care, directly increasing state spending on public services and tax credits.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands child care access via subsidies and employer credits, directly supporting workforce participation and reducing barriers for working parents.95% confidence

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died · North Carolina · Senate Mar 17, 2025

SB 281: Essential Relief for Child Care Act.

SB 281, the Essential Relief for Child Care Act, appropriates $50 million in nonrecurring state funds for the 2024-2025 fiscal year to continue compensation grants for child care providers. This funding directly supports licensed child care facilities across North Carolina, helping them cover operational costs and prevent closures. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to maintain these grants at current 2024-2025 funding levels through the fourth quarter. It aims to address ongoing financial pressures on providers, which the bill states could lead to 20% facility closures without continued support.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $50M state funds for child care grants, directly increasing public service funding under state budget appropriations.95% confidence

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in committee · North Carolina · House Mar 5, 2025

HB 274: Foster Care Services/Funds.

HB 274 appropriates $5 million from the General Fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to Crossnore Communities for Children, a nonprofit organization, to fund foster care services across North Carolina. The bill directs funds toward specific programs including family reunification, youth independent living, trauma resilience initiatives, and community engagement, all delivered from Crossnore's locations in Winston-Salem, Crossnore, and Hendersonville. These services are designed to support children in foster care and their families statewide. The appropriation is nonrecurring and becomes effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $5M from General Fund for foster care services, directly increasing public service funding under budget management.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Tags Children

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died · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 594: Care Center Cost Support Act.

SB 594, the Care Center Cost Support Act, increases child care subsidy rates for licensed centers and homes rated 3-5 stars to the 75th percentile of North Carolina's 2023 market study, effective October 2025. It establishes a minimum rate floor for providers and allows counties with very small child populations to use local rates if statewide rates would hinder access. The bill appropriates $110 million annually from 2025-2027 to fund these rate increases, directly supporting low-income families using subsidized care and child care providers serving them. The changes aim to align subsidies with current market costs while ensuring access in all counties.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $110M annually for child care subsidies, directly increasing public service funding under budgeting/appropriations.92% confidence

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