Healthcare

died · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 585: Local Govts/Mental Health/ CC Tuition Waiver.

SB 585 creates a tuition and registration fee waiver for mental health clinicians and peer support specialists working in municipal or county emergency medical services (EMS), rescue, or lifesaving departments. It specifically applies to professionals embedded in 911 call centers to direct mental health resources or paired with first responders during emergency calls. The bill amends North Carolina's community college tuition waiver rules to add these departments as eligible entities, allowing their employees to take approved community college courses without tuition costs. This policy directly affects local government emergency response teams and their mental health staff, effective July 1, 2025. The waiver covers standard tuition and registration fees for relevant training programs.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates tuition waiver for mental health professionals at community colleges, directly advancing higher education access for a specific workforce.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates tuition waiver for mental health clinicians in EMS, expanding access to mental health services by supporting workforce development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Mental Health

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passed · North Carolina · House May 1, 2025

HB 156: Increase Access for Small Employers/Insurance.

HB 156 sets minimum standards for stop loss, catastrophic, and reinsurance coverage provided to small employers in North Carolina. It directly affects small employers (defined as those with fewer than 12 eligible employees) and insurers selling these specific insurance products. The bill requires insurers to maintain a minimum annual attachment point of $20,000 per individual (adjusted annually using the Consumer Price Index) and a minimum aggregate attachment point of either 120% of expected claims or $20,000 per year. These standards apply to all new, renewed, or amended insurance contracts issued on or after October 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareSets minimum insurance standards (e.g., $20k attachment point) for small employers, directly improving coverage access and protecting against excessive out-of-pocket costs for healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · North Carolina · House Mar 11, 2025

HB 339: Economic Security Act.

HB 339, the Economic Security Act, raises North Carolina's minimum wage to $22 per hour effective January 2026, with annual inflation adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index. It mandates equal pay for equal work, requires paid sick leave and family medical leave for all employees, and strengthens workplace safety protections. The bill also restores inflation-adjusted unemployment benefits, ends wage theft, removes criminal history questions from job applications ("banning the box"), and expands tax credits for childcare and low-income workers. Additionally, it creates a presumption that essential workers infected with COVID-19 contracted it on the job and appropriates funds for cost-of-living adjustments for public retirees.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill explicitly includes 'ban the box' provision removing criminal history questions from job applications, a direct criminal justice reform to reduce employment barriers for people with records and lower recidivism.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePaid sick leave and family medical leave provisions improve healthcare access; subjects include 'DISEASES & HEALTH DISORDERS' and 'PUBLIC HEALTH'.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRaises minimum wage to $22/hr, mandates equal pay, paid sick/family leave, strengthens safety rules, ends wage theft, and bans criminal history questions - directly advancing worker protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards Minimum Wage Paid Leave

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died · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 533: Vaping and Gambling Addiction Prev. Strategies.

SB 533 raises North Carolina's minimum age to purchase tobacco products, including smart vapes and other vapor products, from 18 to 21 years old. It requires retailers to display clear age restriction signs, verify customer age through ID for in-person sales, and use third-party age verification for online orders. The bill also prohibits tobacco sales via vending machines except in 21+ establishments and mandates employee training on age restrictions. Additionally, it directs lottery gaming revenues to fund gambling addiction education and treatment programs. The bill directly affects retailers, vendors, and anyone under 21 seeking these products.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRaises tobacco purchase age to 21 to prevent youth addiction, aligning with public health goals to reduce smoking-related health risks and protect minors' health.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 16, 2025

HB 1011: NC Compassionate Care Act.

The "North Carolina Compassionate Care Act" (HB 1011) seeks to legalize the medical use of cannabis for individuals diagnosed with specific debilitating medical conditions. The bill establishes a system where qualified patients, certified by a physician, and their designated caregivers can obtain registry identification cards from the Department of Health and Human Services. It outlines a list of qualifying debilitating conditions, including cancer, epilepsy, and PTSD. This legislation also details the creation of a regulated system for the cultivation, processing, and dispensing of medical cannabis through licensed facilities. Its intent is to protect patients and their doctors from criminal and civil penalties related to the medical use of cannabis.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeLegalizes medical cannabis, reducing criminal penalties for qualifying patients under controlled substances laws, aligning with criminal justice reform by decreasing unnecessary criminalization.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareLegalizes medical cannabis access for qualifying conditions like cancer and PTSD, expanding patient treatment options under healthcare services and public health frameworks.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 756: Harmony Empowerment Life Center/Funds.

HB 756 appropriates $100,000 in one-time state funds to the Harmony Empowerment Life Center, a nonprofit organization, to expand its "Never Limit An Athlete's Mind" program. The program directly supports minorities and their families in Wake, Durham, Forsyth, Guilford, Mecklenburg, Union, and Anson counties by improving mental health resources and preparing them for future opportunities. The bill provides a directed grant through the Office of State Budget and Management for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. This funding enables the nonprofit to extend its existing services to additional counties without creating new statewide policies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $100k for nonprofit mental health program via state budget, directly funding essential public services as listed in APPROPRIATIONS and BUDGETING subjects.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill appropriates $100k to fund mental health resources via nonprofit program targeting minorities, directly supporting mental health services as stated in subjects and summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 774: School Breakfast for All.

HB 774 ("School Breakfast for All") mandates that all North Carolina public schools (pre-K through 12) provide free breakfast to every student, eliminating costs for families. It establishes a Farm-to-Table Initiative requiring schools to partner with local farmers for fresh, locally sourced ingredients in breakfast meals. The bill allocates $39 million in recurring state funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to cover program costs, while requiring annual reports on participation rates, costs, and impacts on student health and academic performance. This directly affects all public school students, school districts, and North Carolina agricultural producers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $39M recurring state funds for school breakfast program, directly increasing public service funding under budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates free breakfast for all K-12 students, allocates $39M recurring funding, and requires nutrition partnerships - directly advancing educational access and student well-being.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates free nutritious breakfasts in schools with $39M state funding, directly supporting student nutrition as a public health initiative under healthcare-related subjects.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Student Health

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 3, 2025

HB 682: Public Safety Through Food Access Act.

HB 682 allows North Carolina to override federal restrictions that block food and cash assistance (TANF) for people convicted of certain drug-related felonies. It directly affects individuals with Class H or I controlled substance felony convictions who complete substance abuse treatment (while incarcerated or in the community) and avoid new drug offenses for six months. The bill requires counties to offer food and cash benefits to eligible individuals who meet these conditions, making treatment participation a requirement for accessing aid. This change aims to support successful reintegration by removing a barrier to basic needs assistance for this group.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves federal barriers to food/cash assistance for individuals with drug felony convictions who complete treatment and avoid new offenses, directly supporting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism risks.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables food/cash benefits for individuals completing substance abuse treatment, improving access to healthcare support and recovery services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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died · North Carolina · House May 13, 2026

HB 122: North Carolina Board of Integrative Therapies.

HB 122, the North Carolina Healing Arts Act, would establish a new North Carolina Healing Arts Commission to regulate specific complementary medicine professions. It directly affects reflexologists and music therapists by requiring them to obtain state licenses to practice, ensuring they meet standards for public safety and professional competence. The bill creates the Commission to develop licensing rules, issue and enforce licenses, handle disciplinary actions, and set fees - all funded by practitioner fees rather than state funds. This legislation aims to protect consumers by standardizing qualifications for these healing arts professions while creating a formal regulatory structure.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRegulates complementary medicine professions via licensing to ensure public safety and professional standards, aligning with healthcare quality and safety goals.85% confidence

Tags Licensing

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died · North Carolina · Senate Feb 27, 2025

SB 179: Partnership with Voices Together.

SB 179 appropriates $2.5 million from North Carolina's General Fund annually for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to fund middle school programming through the nonprofit Voices Together. The bill directly supports middle school students in North Carolina school systems who have intellectual or developmental disabilities or experience learning delays, preparing them for future employment services. This funding enables Voices Together to expand its existing high school-level transition services to younger students through structured educational programming. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and is currently pending in the Senate.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $2.5M from General Fund for special needs education program, increasing public service funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $2.5M annually to fund middle school special needs programming, expanding educational access for students with disabilities through nonprofit partnerships.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds program addressing developmental disabilities and mental health services for students through education, directly supporting healthcare-related needs per bill subjects.85% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget K-12 Education

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