Healthcare

in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 1079: Menstrual Products Sales Tax Exemption.

This North Carolina bill proposes exempting menstrual products from state sales tax. It defines the exempted items to include tampons, panty liners, menstrual cups, and sanitary napkins. The legislation amends existing tax codes to remove these items from taxable retail sales and use tax. The tax exemption will take effect on October 1, 2026, applying to purchases made on or after that date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill exempts menstrual products from sales tax, providing direct tax relief to consumers and promoting fiscal equity.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempting menstrual products from sales tax improves patient access to essential hygiene items, reducing financial barriers to care.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Incentives

Track

signed · North Carolina · House Jul 7, 2026

HB 1104: Improve Involuntary Commitment Process and Enhance Public Safety.

This bill requires the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Information Technology, and the Administrative Office of the Courts to study the state's involuntary commitment process. The agencies must identify gaps in the current system and submit a report with recommendations by February 1, 2027. Key areas for improvement include ensuring judges receive timely clinical data, training legal officials on community-based treatment options, and updating electronic forms to capture consistent data. The legislation also aims to increase data sharing between health and court systems to support more effective legal and clinical outcomes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates a study to identify gaps in involuntary commitment and improve clinical data sharing and training, aiming to strengthen mental health services and patient safety.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

in committee · North Carolina · House May 5, 2026

HB 1198: Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners Nurses Data/Registration Information Requirements.

This North Carolina bill requires training programs for sexual assault nurse examiners to submit annual reports to the state Board of Nursing regarding graduate employment details. It also mandates that active nursing licensees register with the Board to provide and update their training credentials and practice locations. The legislation creates a database for this information and allocates $50,000 to help the Board implement these reporting requirements. These changes take effect in 2026 and apply to active nurses and their training programs within the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $50,000 in funding to the Board of Nursing to implement data reporting requirements for Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates a database, mandates training reporting, and allocates $50,000 to improve Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

Track

died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 865: Restore Benefits to Educators/State Employees.

This North Carolina legislation restores financial benefits for educators and state employees, effective July 1, 2026. It reinstates salary supplements for teachers and instructional support personnel and restores longevity payments based on years of service, while also preventing the elimination of medical benefits for certain retirees. Furthermore, the bill expands the Teaching Fellows Program by setting new selection criteria for participating institutions and providing forgivable loans to students pursuing teacher licensure. These changes are funded through specific appropriations from the General Fund.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill restores funding for educator salary supplements and longevity payments, directly increasing state budget allocations for public education and state employees.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill restores salary supplements, longevity payments, and medical benefits for educators, directly strengthening teacher compensation and retention.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prevents elimination of medical benefits for retirees and restores health-related financial benefits for educators.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill restores salary supplements, longevity payments, and medical benefits for educators and state employees, directly strengthening worker compensation and benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Teachers Medical Licensing Professional Licensing

Track

in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 1050: Sex Education Health Awareness/Funds.

This North Carolina bill allocates $31,000 in state funds to a specific nonprofit organization called Joyful Soul Treasures, Inc. The money is designated for a marketing campaign and an eight-week workshop aimed at improving sexual health education and awareness. The program specifically targets adolescents between the ages of 13 and 18, covering costs for materials, instructors, and event supplies. The funding is intended for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, with the act becoming effective on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $31,000 in state funds to a nonprofit for sexual health education, directly advancing the budget topic through funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $31,000 to fund sexual health education workshops for adolescents, directly enhancing student programs and educational access.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $31,000 to fund sexual health education workshops and materials for adolescents, directly advancing public health awareness.95% confidence

Track

died · North Carolina · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 1060: Milit. Sexual Trauma/Study Comm./Pilot Prog.

This North Carolina legislation creates a Military Sexual Trauma Study Commission and a two-year pilot program to assist survivors of military sexual trauma. The Commission will investigate barriers to reporting and support access among active duty, reserve, and veteran populations, with a requirement to submit findings to the General Assembly by April 2027. The pilot program, managed by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, provides a confidential hotline, counseling, legal referrals, and emergency assistance to affected service members and families. These provisions aim to improve care coordination and inform future statewide implementation without duplicating existing federal services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes a commission and pilot program to improve mental health services and access for military sexual trauma survivors.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill creates a commission and pilot program to assist survivors of military sexual trauma, improving access to support and addressing barriers for veterans.90% confidence

Sub-Topics National Guard & Reserve Veteran Mental Health

Track

in committee · North Carolina · House May 4, 2026

HB 1159: Investing in Teen Mental Health.

This North Carolina bill appropriates approximately $1.3 million from the state's General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The funds are designated to expand access to Teen Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid training programs across the state. These training courses are designed to teach high school students how to recognize signs of mental health and substance use challenges among their peers and connect them with support. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $1.3M from the General Fund to expand teen mental health training, directly increasing funding for a public service.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $1.3M to expand mental health training for high school students, enhancing student well-being and support programs within the education system.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $1.3M to expand Teen Mental Health First Aid training, directly increasing funding and access to mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget K-12 Education Student Health Mental Health

Track

died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SB 868: Medicaid Innovations Waiver Slot Expansion.

This bill directs the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to add 1,000 slots to the state's Medicaid Innovations Waiver, which provides alternative care options for individuals with disabilities. To support this expansion, the legislation appropriates $36.2 million in recurring funds from the state's General Fund starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The changes are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026, allowing more eligible residents to access services under the waiver program.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $36.2M from the General Fund to expand Medicaid services, directly funding a public health program.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands Medicaid waiver slots and allocates funding to increase access to health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Medicaid

Track

in committee · North Carolina · House May 4, 2026

HB 1175: Affordability in Healthcare Act.

This North Carolina legislation aims to reduce healthcare expenses and boost competition by adding a low-cost plan option to the state's insurance marketplace. It establishes a purchasing consortium for public entities to negotiate better rates and allocates funds for chronic disease prevention initiatives. The bill also removes regulatory barriers for rehabilitation facilities and limits hospital consolidation to maintain market diversity. These provisions impact residents seeking coverage, public employers, healthcare providers, and hospital systems within the state.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates funds for chronic disease prevention and establishes a purchasing consortium to reduce healthcare costs, aligning with fiscal management and budget efficiency.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill reduces costs, expands coverage via low-cost plans, funds prevention, and protects market diversity.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Insurance Long-Term Care Prescription Drugs

Track

passed · North Carolina · House May 7, 2025

HB 906: Reagan's Law.

This bill, titled Reagan's Law, aims to improve access to prosthetic and orthotic devices for North Carolinians with limb loss or limb difference by requiring most health benefit plans to cover these devices and related care. Key provisions mandate that plans cover all materials, instruction, and repairs for prosthetics and orthotics, allow for multiple devices based on medical needs, and prohibit denying claims for these devices that would otherwise be covered for non-disabled individuals seeking similar medical treatment. The legislation also requires insurers to provide coverage for device replacements when medically necessary due to changes in the insured's condition or device damage, without limiting coverage based on the device's age or useful lifetime. Additionally, the bill repeals state requirements for health plans to cover emergency care that duplicates federal law, aligning state regulations with federal standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates insurance coverage for prosthetics and orthotics, expanding access to essential medical devices and improving patient care for those with limb differences.95% confidence

Track