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.
HB 848 establishes a pilot program for Cleveland County Schools (2025-2026 through 2030-2031) that allows flexibility in staffing to improve student outcomes. It permits up to 50% of teachers per school and 25% district-wide to be unlicensed, provided they complete specific training on disability education, behavior management, and safety protocols. The program requires annual reporting on staffing, class sizes, fund usage, and student success metrics to oversight committees. It directly affects Cleveland County Schools' hiring practices, teacher qualifications, and resource allocation for K-3 classrooms and NC Pre-K programs. The pilot ends December 2031 unless extended.
HB 883 establishes a grant program for North Carolina school districts to cover extraordinary costs for students with disabilities, particularly for placements outside regular schools (like private special education programs or homebound settings). School districts can apply for 75% reimbursement of eligible costs - such as specialized staff salaries, materials, or private school tuition - provided these costs exceed four times the state average per-pupil expenditure for disabilities. The bill requires annual IEP reviews, mandates that districts maintain legal responsibility for students in private placements, and directs the Department of Public Instruction to report on placements and costs by March 2026. It appropriates $1 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to fund this program.
House Bill 670 establishes the Career and College Pathways Innovation Challenge Grant Program, providing competitive grants to North Carolina community colleges. These grants support local and regional partnerships that aim to increase postsecondary enrollment and completion for students and adults, align educational offerings with workforce needs, and reduce educational opportunity gaps. The State Board of Community Colleges administers the program, awarding funds for initiatives like work-based learning and financial support beyond tuition. For the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 fiscal years, $2 million is specifically allocated to community colleges in counties affected by Hurricane Helene. The bill appropriates $5 million in recurring funds for the program, effective July 1, 2025.
HB 966, the College Cost Reduction Act, prohibits all University of North Carolina (UNC) schools from requiring students to pay extra for mandatory course software (Learning Management Systems or LMS). It directly affects UNC students by banning any requirement for paid LMS access beyond existing, approved student fees. The bill mandates the UNC Board of Governors to create a policy ensuring professors or courses cannot force students to pay for LMS services - only free or fee-covered options may be required. The rule takes effect for the 2025-2026 academic year.
HB 983 prohibits corporal punishment in all North Carolina public schools, directly affecting students and school staff. The bill replaces existing permissive rules with a full ban, requiring schools to maintain detailed records of any past use (though none currently occur), report demographic data on disciplinary actions annually, and allow parents to opt their children out of corporal punishment. It clarifies that physical restraint under federal law or reasonable force isn't considered corporal punishment. The law takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.
HB 1005 modifies the ballot language for a county sales tax referendum in North Carolina, clarifying the tax rate and its intended use. The bill changes the ballot question to specify a 0.25% sales tax (one penny per $4 spent) and explicitly states that proceeds will fund teacher and education employee pay raises, while exempting gas, groceries, motor vehicles, and prescription drugs. This change directly affects voters in counties holding referendums under Article 46 of Chapter 105, ensuring clearer communication about the tax’s scope and purpose. The bill does not alter the tax rate or funding rules but standardizes how the proposal is presented to voters.
This bill revives and expands a program that allows eligible retired educators to return to work in high-need schools. It defines "high-need retired teachers" as beneficiaries of the Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System who meet specific retirement and service criteria, and are reemployed by local boards of education. A key provision ensures that earnings from this reemployment do not count against post-retirement earnings limits, allowing these teachers to receive both their full retirement allowance and a salary. The Department of Public Instruction is tasked with certifying these teachers, and local boards must report their employment status to the Retirement System.
HB 985 increases the criminal penalty for assaulting a school employee or volunteer in North Carolina. It reclassifies such assaults from a Class A1 misdemeanor to a Class I felony when the incident occurs while the individual is performing their duties or as a result of their duties. The bill broadly defines "school employee or volunteer" to include staff, independent contractors, and adult volunteers involved in school activities. It also protects school personnel from civil or criminal liability for taking reasonable actions to end student fights. Finally, the bill updates supervisor reporting requirements for assaults and prohibits intimidating employees from reporting these incidents.
SB 659, the "Investing in North Carolina Act," raises salaries for public school teachers and state employees for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It establishes a new monthly salary schedule for teachers based on experience (ranging from $4,600 for 0 years to $6,370 for 29+ years), adds specific supplements for certified teachers, nurses, counselors, and specialists, and provides cost-of-living increases for retirees. The bill also expands the Wage$ program statewide and creates a tax credit for qualifying employers equal to 5% of wages paid or $10,000, whichever is lower. Directly affecting teachers, state employees, community college staff, UNC employees, retirees, and participating employers, it focuses on concrete pay adjustments through funding appropriations.
