Education

in committee · North Carolina · House Jun 2, 2026

HB 1026: Remote Instruction for Excess Emergencies.

This bill allows North Carolina public schools to use an extra three days or 15 hours of remote instruction when they face ongoing emergencies after already using their standard emergency allowance. Schools that have exhausted their initial five-day limit for weather, power outages, or other crises can now count this additional time toward their required school calendar. To ensure accountability, school districts must report details about these extra days and the specific emergencies that caused them to the state by July 1 each year. The legislation also allocates $5,000 in state funds to help cover administrative costs and provide technical support for enforcing these new rules starting in the 2026-2027 school year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access by allowing schools to use remote instruction during emergencies, ensuring continuity of learning.85% confidence

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 787: AI Ethics and Literacy Across Education.

This bill requires North Carolina public schools to teach artificial intelligence concepts to students from kindergarten through grade 12. It mandates that the State Board of Education create standards covering how AI works, its real-world uses, and ethical issues like privacy, bias, and academic honesty. To support this new requirement, the state will provide $100,000 in funding for the 2026-2027 school year to help schools implement the curriculum. The law takes effect on July 1, 2026, and allows AI instruction to be part of existing computer science classes in middle and high school.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $100,000 in state funding to support AI education implementation in public schools.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates AI literacy curriculum and allocates $100,000 in funding to strengthen education.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates AI education and provides funding to advance technology literacy and ethical understanding in schools.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Curriculum K-12 Education Artificial Intelligence

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 816: Child. of Wartime Vets Sch'ship Funds and Flex.

This bill provides funding and expanded flexibility for North Carolina's Children of Wartime Veterans Scholarship Program, directly affecting eligible children of veterans attending state colleges and universities. It appropriates $1 million for the 2025-2026 academic year to increase award amounts for students whose scholarships were previously reduced, with any leftover funds reserved for additional scholarships starting in 2026-2027. For the 2026-2027 academic year, the bill allocates $10 million to double the number of available scholarships from 100 to 200 per class and extends administrative flexibility to allow officials to adjust award amounts, prioritize applicants, and manage room and board payments based on available funds. The legislation also permits the use of up to 2.5% of the program's budget for administrative costs and requires that all scholarship awards be contingent upon the availability of money.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly appropriates $1 million and $10 million to fund and expand a state scholarship program, directly increasing government spending for education assistance.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $1M to increase scholarship amounts for veterans' children, directly funding higher education access.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly funds and expands the Children of Wartime Veterans Scholarship Program, increasing award amounts and reserving funds for additional scholarships.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Veteran Education

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passed · North Carolina · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 840: Teacher Licensure Modifications.

This bill modifies teacher licensure rules in North Carolina by removing a specific testing requirement for admission into educator preparation programs. It extends the deadline for completing licensure exams to the third year of a teacher's career, provided the individual takes the exam at least once during their first year. Additionally, the legislation simplifies the process for out-of-state applicants by allowing them to obtain a North Carolina license if they have three years of teaching experience and hold a valid license from another state with similar requirements. The act also allocates $50,000 in funding for implementation and takes effect on July 1, 2026, with other provisions becoming law immediately upon passage.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill removes testing barriers and extends deadlines, expanding access to teaching licenses and supporting educators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Teachers

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 838: The Frontline Mental Health Support Act.

This bill creates the Frontline Mental Health Support Program in North Carolina to offer confidential counseling to public school teachers and first responders who face occupational stress. Eligible employees, including law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel, can access up to 12 licensed therapy sessions per year through in-person or telehealth options. The legislation appropriates $13 million in recurring funds starting in 2026-2027 to establish the program and expand the behavioral health workforce via grants to providers. It also mandates that participation cannot be used as grounds for any adverse employment actions and requires a report on the program's implementation by 2028.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds mental health support for law enforcement, reducing occupational stress and promoting officer well-being.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $13M to provide mental health counseling for teachers, directly supporting educator well-being and retention.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill appropriates $13M to fund mental health counseling for teachers and first responders, expanding access to care.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill funds mental health counseling for workers, expanding benefits and protecting employee well-being.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Student Health Mental Health Telehealth

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died · North Carolina · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 1011: Allergy Safe Schools Act.

The Allergy Safe Schools Act aims to improve food allergy safety in North Carolina public schools by mandating that every school employ at least one full-time, permanent nurse. To support this staffing requirement, the bill allocates $92 million in recurring funds starting in the 2026-2027 school year to increase the number of school health personnel. Additionally, the legislation requires school staff to complete standardized training on recognizing and treating anaphylaxis and mandates that schools create individualized medical action plans for students with diagnosed medical emergencies. The bill also prohibits food at school celebrations and provides legal protections for employees who administer emergency medication or perform lifesaving duties in good faith.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $92M for school health personnel and mandates training to improve student safety and educational access.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates full-time school nurses and allocates $92M to increase health personnel, directly strengthening public health services and patient safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Healthcare Workforce

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died · North Carolina · Senate May 4, 2026

SB 954: Learning and Enrichment in Afterschool Programs.

This bill creates a new advisory council and grant program in North Carolina to support high-quality after-school activities for children and youth up to age 18. It establishes the LEAP Advisory Council to guide the Department of Public Instruction on grant criteria, program quality standards, and strategies to serve rural and underserved communities. The legislation also sets up the LEAP Fund, which will be financed by state appropriations, federal funds, private donations, and any legal settlements against social media companies, to distribute grants to eligible community-based organizations and schools. These grants, limited to a maximum of two years per award, must provide structured programs with adult mentors focused on positive youth development rather than basic classroom instruction. The bill ensures that grant funds supplement existing programs and includes requirements for evaluating outcomes such as attendance, skill development, and community engagement.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates a grant program and advisory council to fund and improve after-school activities for youth, expanding educational access and support.95% confidence

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in committee · North Carolina · House May 5, 2026

HB 1204: Require Seat Belts on School Buses.

This bill mandates that all school and activity buses purchased, leased, or rented by public schools, private schools, charter schools, and regional schools in North Carolina must be equipped with seat belts at every designated seating position. While the requirement applies to all new vehicles, the law allows for exceptions regarding integrated child safety restraint systems, students with disabilities, and other federally approved restraint methods. The legislation also updates existing state regulations to include specific equipment standards for diesel engines and warning devices alongside the new seat belt mandate.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill improves school infrastructure and student safety, directly supporting the education topic.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates seat belts on school buses, directly enhancing transportation safety standards and protecting students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety School Transportation Traffic Safety

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in committee · North Carolina · House May 4, 2026

HB 1146: 2026 Governor's Budget.

HB 1146 establishes the 2026 Governor's Budget for North Carolina by allocating specific funding amounts to state departments, institutions, and agencies for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium. The bill directly affects public education, health and human services, agriculture, justice, and general government entities by setting their operational budgets for the upcoming fiscal year. Key provisions include detailed dollar amounts for various programs, such as funding for public instruction, university operations, and health services, while also allowing for savings to revert to the state fund if not fully utilized. This legislation provides the financial framework necessary for state agencies to carry out their mandated duties and services during the specified period.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes the 2026 Governor's Budget, explicitly allocating funding to state departments and agencies, thereby advancing and funding the budget topic.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes the 2026 Governor's Budget, explicitly allocating specific funding amounts to state departments including public education and higher education institutions.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates funding to the Transportation Department and Highway Fund, indicating financial support for transportation infrastructure and operations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Government Spending State Budget Higher Education

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 1076: The Innovations Waitlist Reduction Act.

This bill expands access to North Carolina's Innovations waiver for families with children who have significant medical needs by adding 6,635 new slots and funding them with $240 million starting in 2026. It also modifies the Opportunity Scholarship Program to prioritize students from lower-income households by capping eligibility at 200% of the federal free lunch income threshold and adjusting grant amounts based on family income levels. To support these changes, the legislation reduces the overall scholarship fund by $240 million while simultaneously directing substantial recurring funding to the program's reserve for the next 15 years.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $240M to expand medical access and modifies scholarships to prioritize lower-income families, directly increasing funding for essential public services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands access to education waivers and scholarships, adds funding slots, and prioritizes lower-income students.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands Medicaid waiver slots and funds them with $240M, directly increasing access and funding for health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Student Financial Aid Student Health Medicaid

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