Education

signed · North Carolina · House Aug 11, 2026

HB 268: 2026 Budget Technical Corrections - II.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows UNC system to use alternative funding for campus infrastructure projects (e.g., electrical upgrades, housing), directly supporting higher education facility improvements without diverting state general funds.92% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

signed · North Carolina · Senate Jul 8, 2026

SB 355: Support the Dept. of Adult Correction.-AB

SB 355 waives tuition at North Carolina public colleges for survivors of correctional officers, probation officers, or firefighters who died in the line of duty or became permanently disabled. It specifically covers spouses of disabled officers and children (ages 17-24) of disabled officers, with eligibility requiring service-connected death/disability and verification from relevant agencies. The waiver applies to both credit and noncredit programs, limiting bachelor’s degree support to 54 months. This policy directly affects families of these public safety workers by reducing education costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill waives state tuition fees for eligible survivors, increasing state spending on education funding through targeted appropriations.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides tuition waivers for eligible survivors of first responders, expanding access to higher education through financial aid for specific beneficiary groups.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

failed · North Carolina · Senate Jul 2, 2026

SB 528: Health and Human Services Revisions.

SB 528 (Child Care Regulatory Reforms and Flexibilities) allows five years of documented work experience in a licensed North Carolina child care facility to count as equivalent to the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential for lead teachers and star ratings. It also increases the maximum group size for toddlers from 18 to 20 children in centers maintaining a 1/9 staff-to-child ratio, while adjusting nap-time supervision requirements. These changes directly affect licensed child care centers, administrators, lead teachers, and staff by providing alternative pathways to meet credentialing requirements and adjusting operational standards for group sizes. The bill aims to increase flexibility for providers while maintaining safety and quality standards under North Carolina’s child care regulations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows work experience to substitute for credentials for lead teachers in child care, easing staffing requirements in early childhood education, directly supporting educator access and program stability.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAllows work experience to substitute for credentials, expanding employment access for child care workers in licensed facilities.85% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

Track

signed · North Carolina · Senate Jun 24, 2026

SB 227: Eliminating "DEI" in Public Education.

SB 227 prohibits North Carolina public schools from teaching or promoting 12 specific "divisive concepts" defined in the bill, such as claims that one race is inherently superior or that individuals bear responsibility for past actions of their race. The bill directly affects K-12 students, teachers, and school employees by banning instruction on these concepts and restricting professional development that includes them. Key provisions include requiring schools to avoid "discriminatory practices" and preventing staff from being compelled to affirm divisive concepts. The bill does not ban all diversity initiatives but targets specific teachings it deems contrary to "equality and rights of all persons." This is a proposed bill (not yet law) currently under review in the North Carolina Senate.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationProhibits teaching specific concepts in K-12 curriculum, restricting academic freedom and curriculum content related to DEI topics as defined in the bill.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Education

signed · North Carolina · Senate Jun 24, 2026

SB 558: Eliminating "DEI" in Public Higher Ed.

SB 558 (North Carolina Senate Bill 558) requires public universities and community colleges to adopt diversity, equity, and inclusion policies that comply with state law while prohibiting the promotion of specific "divisive concepts." It defines 12 concepts as "divisive," including claims that one race or sex is inherently superior, individuals bear guilt for past actions of their race, or meritocracy is inherently racist. The bill mandates that institutions avoid teaching these concepts and bars community colleges from investigating protected speech (like satire) labeled as "microaggressions." It directly affects all public higher education employees, faculty, and students in North Carolina's university system and community colleges.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts higher education curriculum by banning teaching of specific DEI-related concepts, limiting academic freedom on race/gender topics per bill's prohibitions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Education

signed · North Carolina · House May 12, 2026

HB 433: State Fiscal Recovery Fund/NC Pandemic Recovery Office Revisions.

House Bill 433 allows licensed registered nurses (RNs) to serve as school nurses in North Carolina public schools. The bill prohibits the State Board of Education from requiring a four-year degree for school nurse employment. It specifies that RNs with at least two years of experience in a hospital or health clinic can work as school nurses without needing additional certifications or licenses. These qualified registered nurses will be paid under the certified school nurse pay scale.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves degree barriers for RNs to serve as school nurses, expanding qualified staffing options without additional costs. Directly supports school staff accessibility in education.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows qualified RNs to work as school nurses without degree requirements, expanding access to school health services per bill's explicit language.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

passed · North Carolina · House Sep 25, 2025

HB 775: Criminal History Checks for School Positions.

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.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires criminal background checks for school staff to enhance student safety, protecting educational environments per bill's intent.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

passed both · North Carolina · House Sep 22, 2025

HB 192: Defund Planned Parenthood and Cost Transparency.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $1.597B for teacher salaries and $8M for education supplements, directly increasing state spending on public education through budgetary allocations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill appropriates $1.597B for teacher salary increases and $8M for education-based supplements, directly advancing teacher compensation and funding within K-12 education.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

Track

signed · North Carolina · House Jul 29, 2025

HB 805: Prevent Sexual Exploitation/Women and Minors.

HB 805 requires North Carolina state agencies and local governments to use biological sex definitions (based on reproductive anatomy at birth) in all policies, replacing gender identity as a legal equivalent. It directly affects state programs, including healthcare, education, and civil rights enforcement, by mandating that "female," "male," and related terms refer solely to biological sex as defined in the bill. The bill also creates a new "Prevent Sexual Exploitation of Women and Minors Act" with definitions for consent and intimate visual depictions, while including provisions on birth certificates, school accommodations for religious objections, and parental access to library materials. These changes take effect January 1, 2026, and are intended to align state law with federal directives referenced in the bill's preamble.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationMandates biological sex definitions in education policies, restricting gender identity inclusion in school programs and records per bill's enforcement of biological sex standards.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Education

signed · North Carolina · Senate Jul 9, 2025

SB 118: Military and Veteran Support Act.

SB 118, the Military and Veteran Support Act, reduces concealed handgun permit fees for veterans and streamlines school enrollment for military families. It allows veterans with honorable discharge (using DD-214 or VA ID) to pay $45 for applications and $40 for renewals - matching fees for retired law enforcement officers - effective July 2025. For military families, it permits remote school enrollment for students of active-duty members or those separating within 12 months, delaying proof of residency until enrollment begins, with extensions for high school seniors until graduation. These provisions directly affect North Carolina veterans seeking concealed carry permits and military-connected students enrolling in public schools. The bill is pending legislative action and not yet law.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enables remote school enrollment for military students and delays residency proof, directly improving educational access for military-connected children.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransReduces veteran concealed carry permit fees to $45/$40 (matching law enforcement), streamlines school enrollment for military families - directly advancing veteran benefits and services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent