HB 268 authorizes the University of North Carolina system to finance specific capital projects at UNC Chapel Hill and UNC Wilmington using alternative funding sources like gifts, grants, and revenue bonds - instead of state general funds. It specifically covers major projects including Chapel Hill's electrical system upgrade and Fetzer Hall addition, plus Wilmington's parking deck and student housing. The bill allows the university board to issue special obligation bonds up to 5% over the project costs to cover expenses, with potential adjustments approved by the state budget director. This directly affects the two universities by enabling them to fund these infrastructure improvements through non-state appropriations.
HB 87 (Educational Choice for Children Act) allows North Carolina to participate in a federal tax credit program that encourages donations to private scholarship organizations. The bill requires the State Education Assistance Authority to maintain and publish an annual list of qualifying scholarship groups operating in North Carolina, enabling donors to claim federal tax credits for contributions. These scholarships can cover elementary and secondary school costs, including homeschooling expenses, as permitted under federal law. The law becomes effective after 2026, with the Authority needing to establish necessary rules by July 2026 to comply with federal requirements.
HB 775 requires background checks for three groups: initial members of charter school boards, new educator license applicants, and public school employees applying for positions. It mandates that applicants pay for criminal history checks through the State Bureau of Investigation before receiving approval for charter school board membership, educator licensure, or school employment. The State Board of Education and charter school Review Board review the results to determine if individuals pose safety risks or lack integrity, with decisions requiring written findings. This bill consolidates existing background check requirements into a single process for these school-related positions, applying only to new applicants and initial board members.
The bill title "Defund Planned Parenthood and Cost Transparency" does not match the actual content of HB 192, which is focused on education funding. This bill raises teacher salaries for the 2025-2026 school year using a new salary schedule (e.g., $5,000 for 0 years experience, $6,823 for 25+ years) and reinstates education-based supplements for advanced degrees ($126-$253 monthly). It appropriates $1.597 billion for salary increases and $8 million for supplements, while directing the North Carolina Collaboratory to study a student-based funding system by February 2026. The bill directly affects public school teachers, instructional support staff, and school psychologists. The title appears to be incorrect based on the provided bill text.
HB 928 allows physical therapists licensed in North Carolina to evaluate student athletes for concussions and provide written clearance for returning to play or practice after a head injury during school sports. It directly affects student athletes in North Carolina public schools who exhibit concussion symptoms during athletic activities. The bill amends existing law to specifically include licensed physical therapists as authorized professionals (alongside doctors and other specialists) who can assess head injuries and issue the required written clearance. This change expands the pool of qualified healthcare providers available for school concussion protocols without altering the core requirement that athletes must be cleared before returning to sports.
HB 415 modifies North Carolina high school mathematics graduation requirements, primarily affecting students and the State Board of Education. It requires completion of NC Math 1 and 2, plus two additional math courses aligned with a student's postsecondary plans, and eliminates the end-of-course test for NC Math 3. The bill establishes an "Extended Math" pathway, dividing NC Math 1 and 2 content into four courses for students needing more time and support. Students scoring below proficient on certain math assessments will be enrolled in these extended courses, which are set to begin in the 2025-2026 school year.
HB 854 removes the current exemption for educational interpreters and transliterators from state licensure requirements. This means individuals who provide accessible communication services to students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade and higher education will now be required to obtain a license. The bill also allows continuing education hours earned for license renewal to count towards their existing job-related training requirements. These changes are set to become effective on October 1, 2026.
HB 918, the "Standardized Testing Choice Act," establishes new requirements for standardized testing in North Carolina, beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year. It mandates that the University of North Carolina system accept scores from the SAT, ACT, or Classic Learning Test (CLT) interchangeably for admissions and state-funded scholarships, including concordant minimum scores. The bill also requires local school administrative units to offer eighth through tenth-grade students the opportunity to take the CLT10, in addition to the PSAT/NMSQT or PreACT, at no cost. These provisions directly affect students applying to UNC institutions and those in North Carolina high schools.
HB 414 aims to give equal credit for community college courses towards high school graduation requirements for dually enrolled students, including those in the Career and College Promise program. It directs the State Boards of Community Colleges and Education to collaborate on developing a system where one community college course grants one full high school credit in core subjects, without requiring corresponding high school end-of-course tests. Until this system is fully established, specific community college courses will temporarily satisfy certain high school credits starting in the 2025-2026 academic year. Additionally, the bill modifies high school math graduation requirements, affecting which math courses require an end-of-course test.