Education

passed · North Carolina · House May 7, 2025

HB 4: Sam's Law.

House Bill 4, also known as "Sam's Law," aims to improve seizure preparedness and response in North Carolina schools. The bill requires public school units, charter schools, and other educational institutions to develop individualized Seizure Action Plans for students diagnosed with seizure disorders, in collaboration with their parents. It mandates annual seizure education programs for all K-12 school personnel and requires principals, school counselors, and teachers to complete an annual self-study on seizure disorders. Furthermore, the bill ensures at least one employee in each school is trained to administer seizure medication and requires the posting of seizure first aid information in visible areas. Various educational boards are tasked with adopting policies to implement these requirements, with $50,000 appropriated to the Department of Public Instruction for development costs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates seizure safety plans and staff training in schools, enhancing student safety and access to education for students with seizure disorders, supporting the educational environment.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · North Carolina · Senate May 6, 2025

SB 493: Land Use Clarification and Changes.

SB 493 proposes several changes to land use regulations in North Carolina. The bill allows public schools to be located in areas zoned for commercial use, either by right or through a special use permit. It also eliminates the authority for cities to exercise planning and development regulation outside their corporate limits, known as extraterritorial jurisdiction. Furthermore, the bill clarifies that establishing one type of vested right on a property does not eliminate other existing use rights, and it sets limits on conditions local governments can impose for special use permits.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows schools in commercial zones, improving infrastructure access; directly addresses school building locations per bill summary.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · North Carolina · House May 5, 2025

HB 875: DPI to Redesign Math Instruction.

House Bill 875 directs the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to establish a comprehensive system of mathematics support for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. This system requires DPI to provide approved lists of high-quality supplemental math systems for screening and progress monitoring, as well as instructional materials for intervention and core curriculum. These materials must utilize structured problem-based learning, explicit instruction, and provide responsive feedback to students. The bill also mandates DPI to offer approved professional development programs for K-8 teachers to implement these new instructional approaches effectively. Parents will be notified of any identified mathematical deficiencies, including characteristics of dyscalculia, and receive information on interventions and home strategies.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates DPI to redesign K-8 math instruction with structured problem-based learning and approved materials, enhancing curriculum quality and student support per education policy indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · North Carolina · House May 5, 2025

HB 971: Career Development Adjustment.

House Bill 971 establishes a pilot program for Annual Career Development Plans in 12 selected North Carolina middle and high schools. This program will affect students entering seventh grade in those schools during the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 school years, continuing until their high school graduation. Students will create and annually update individual plans with assistance from school counselors, aiming to align them for on-time graduation and college or career readiness. Parents are encouraged to participate and will receive information regarding their child's plan, course offerings, and financial aid options for postsecondary education.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes a pilot program for career development plans to improve college/career readiness and on-time graduation, directly advancing student educational outcomes in K-12.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · North Carolina · House May 1, 2025

HB 637: Community of Practice Advanced Teaching Roles Supplement.

HB 637 grants flexibility to Pitt County Schools regarding salary supplements for advanced teaching roles. It allows the $10,000 supplement for an adult leadership teacher to be shared with other teachers. This sharing is permitted when those teachers are collaborating in a "community of practice" to address an instructional issue within schools participating in the R3 Program Community of Practice model. This bill applies exclusively to Pitt County Schools and becomes effective for the 2025-2026 school year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows shared salary supplements for collaborative teacher development under R3 Program, supporting educator compensation and instructional improvement.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAllows sharing of teacher salary supplement, increasing compensation for participating educators under R3 Program.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · North Carolina · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 636: Promoting Wholesome Content for Students.

HB 636 establishes new procedures for public school units to select and review library media and materials, affecting students, parents, and school personnel. The bill requires schools to adopt policies that ensure materials are age-appropriate and do not contain content defined as "harmful to minors," which includes depictions of sexual activity or pervasively vulgar content. It mandates a review process involving a community library advisory committee, public posting of recommended materials, and a mechanism for public objections. Additionally, the bill requires the creation of a public database for rejected materials and allows parents, guardians, students, or residents to pursue private legal action against schools violating these provisions. Principals are also required to review all media available at school book fairs for compliance.

Topics ✗ EducationOpposes EducationRestricts school library content by mandating exclusion of specified materials, limiting curriculum options and academic freedom in educational settings.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Education

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passed · North Carolina · House Apr 16, 2025

HB 69: Military and Veterans Educational Promise Act.

HB 69, the Military and Veterans Educational Promise Act, provides two key benefits for military-affiliated individuals and veterans at North Carolina's University of North Carolina (UNC) schools. First, it requires UNC institutions to allow eligible military members (including reservists) and their spouses to defer admission for up to five years (for active duty) or two years (for reserve service) upon enrollment notice. Second, it establishes in-state tuition rates for honorably discharged veterans who served at least 90 days in the military, graduated from a North Carolina high school after 2004, had a North Carolina duty station, or received a Purple Heart. The bill applies to all UNC institutions beginning in the 2025-2026 academic year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands higher education access for veterans via in-state tuition benefits and admission deferral options at UNC institutions.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransProvides in-state tuition and admission deferral for veterans, directly expanding educational benefits and access to UNC schools.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · North Carolina · Senate Apr 14, 2025

SB 507: Auto Enrollment in Advanced ELA Courses.

SB 507 requires North Carolina public schools to automatically enroll students who score at the highest level on standardized math or English Language Arts (ELA) tests in advanced courses for the next grade level. This applies to students in grades 3-5 for math and grades 6+ for both subjects, with parents able to opt out via written consent after being informed of the placement basis. The bill expands an existing policy (previously only for math) to include ELA courses and mandates annual demographic reporting to the legislature on enrollment patterns. It takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAuto-enrolls high-performing students in advanced ELA courses, expanding access to rigorous curriculum for grades 3-5 (math) and 6+ (ELA), aligning with educational access and curriculum enhancement indicators.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · North Carolina · House Apr 10, 2025

HB 397: Use of Epinephrine Nasal Spray.

HB 397 allows schools in North Carolina to use epinephrine nasal spray as an emergency treatment option alongside traditional auto-injectors for students experiencing anaphylaxis. The bill amends school health policies to include nasal spray devices in the definition of "epinephrine auto-injector delivery systems," requiring all schools to maintain at least two emergency epinephrine supplies (now including nasal spray) in secure but accessible locations. Schools must train staff to recognize anaphylaxis symptoms, store devices properly, and follow emergency action plans developed with school nurses. This applies to public schools, charter schools, and regional schools starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The policy directly affects school staff, students with severe allergies, and school health protocols.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enhances school safety protocols for student health emergencies, directly supporting student well-being and access to education through updated health policies.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands emergency anaphylaxis treatment options in schools by including epinephrine nasal spray, improving student access to life-saving care and aligning with public health goals.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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passed · North Carolina · House Apr 10, 2025

HB 149: School Financial Flexibility Pilot Program.

HB 149 creates a pilot program allowing eligible North Carolina school districts (those with at least 5,000 students and tax authority) to submit a Financial and Hiring Flexibility Plan (FHFP) to the State Board of Education. The plan permits districts to use state funds more flexibly and hire up to 50% unlicensed teachers (who must complete specific training in disability education, behavior management, and safety) while meeting defined academic goals by 2030-2031, such as 100% student career planning and 90% teacher retention. The State Board reviews plans annually and can terminate them if districts fail to meet goals, violate fiscal rules, or have low-performing schools. This program aims to give districts operational flexibility to improve student outcomes, subject to state oversight and performance metrics.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill enables flexible use of state funds for school districts, directly addressing budgeting (subject listed) and promoting fiscal management within existing appropriations.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows flexible state fund use and mandates training for unlicensed teachers to meet academic goals, supporting district resource management and educator development.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Education

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