This bill establishes the Nursing Fellows Program at Winston-Salem State University to support students pursuing degrees in nursing or nursing education. The legislation creates a trust fund that provides forgivable loans to high-achieving students who commit to working as nurses or instructors within North Carolina after graduation. Funds from the trust are used to cover tuition and fees, with loan amounts increasing for those who plan to become nursing instructors. The program includes provisions for mentoring, administrative costs, and extracurricular activities to enhance student success.
This North Carolina legislation appropriates one million dollars from the state General Fund to Forsyth Technical Community College. The Community Colleges System Office will distribute these recurring funds to the college beginning in the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The money is designated specifically to support the Boost college-to-career program. The bill becomes effective on July 1, 2026.
This bill allocates $10.4 million in state funds to Forsyth Technical Community College in North Carolina for first responder training. The money is designated for construction projects and equipment purchases to support a comprehensive training program. Specific uses include building a training track, classrooms, and a bridge, as well as acquiring fire apparatus. The funding is nonrecurring and intended for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, with the act taking effect on July 1, 2026.
This legislation allocates $1.8 million in state funds to Guilford Technical Community College for the expansion of its Aviation Center. The money is drawn from the General Fund and is intended for capital expenses associated with the project during the 2026-2027 fiscal year. These funds will remain available until spent and are set to take effect on July 1, 2026.
SB 323 establishes a $9.6 million annual grant program (2025-2027) to provide free condoms and lubricants to students in North Carolina public high schools, community colleges, and UNC system institutions. It directly affects these educational settings by requiring grant recipients to offer supplies in designated campus locations without parental permission, while prioritizing student privacy and collaboration with health organizations. Key mechanisms include mandatory Student Health Advisory Committees, annual reporting on usage and health savings, and rules ensuring grants supplement rather than replace existing funding. The program aims to reduce STI-related healthcare costs and support student retention through preventive health access.
HB 588 aims to improve the number and quality of school psychologists in North Carolina through multiple funding initiatives. It provides a $650 monthly salary boost and a 12% supplement for certified school psychologists (totaling $8.1 million), establishes a $5 million grant program to fund signing bonuses (up to $5,000) for recruiting new psychologists with a one-year commitment requirement, and creates a $5 million internship program offering stipends at starting salaries. Additionally, it allocates $5 million for a virtual training program at Appalachian State University and $1.6 million to expand school psychology programs at five UNC institutions to double graduate output. The bill also includes an interstate licensure compact to facilitate practice across state lines, with all programs requiring annual reporting to the legislature.
HB 416 appropriates $30,000 from the state General Fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to provide a directed grant to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Durham and Orange Counties. The funds will support a six-part youth development program focusing on teen recruitment, emotional safety, leadership, trauma-informed practices, cultural inclusion, and college/career readiness for area youth. This bill directly affects the Boys & Girls Clubs in those counties and the young people they serve, becoming effective July 1, 2025.
HB 534 appropriates $700,000 from North Carolina's General Fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to establish sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) training programs at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and Wake Technical Community College. Each college receives $350,000 to hire a full-time faculty member ($105,000), a clinical coordinator ($105,000), purchase equipment/supplies ($45,000), and cover program development and accreditation costs ($95,000). The bill directly affects these two community colleges and future healthcare professionals seeking SANE certification. It creates a concrete funding mechanism to expand training capacity for nurses specializing in sexual assault victim care.
HB 419 appropriates $4.5 million from the state General Fund to purchase a building and improvements adjacent to Winston-Salem's Stevens Center (411 W. 4th Street) for the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. The funds, designated for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, directly support the School of the Arts' facility expansion needs. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025, and modifies standard budgeting procedures to enable this one-time purchase. This is a direct funding allocation with no broader policy changes beyond the specified property acquisition.
SB 582, the Wellness Break Act, establishes a paid sabbatical leave program for North Carolina public employees (state, county, city, school, and community college workers) and provides tax incentives for private sector employers. Public employees with three or more years in the same role can take 4-6 weeks of paid leave (70% of salary) for health, wellness, skill-building, or personal enrichment, provided they return to their position for one year. Private businesses offering similar leave qualify for a tax credit of up to $5,000 per employee to offset costs. The bill requires public employers to report on program usage and outcomes, and the NCWorks Commission will develop model policies and resources to support private sector adoption.
