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.
SB 441 revives and expands a program allowing retired teachers to return to work in high-need North Carolina schools without losing their retirement benefits. The bill requires school districts to certify these teachers to the retirement system annually and mandates monthly reports on their employment terms and pay. Retired educators rehired under this program retain their full retirement allowance, and school districts must cover employer health insurance premiums for them. This directly affects retired teachers returning to high-need schools, school districts hiring them, and the state retirement system’s benefit calculations. The program expires June 30, 2027, unless IRS status is jeopardized, triggering automatic repeal.
HB 166 creates a legal process for courts to issue Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs) that temporarily restrict a person's access to firearms when they pose a danger of harming themselves or others. The bill allows family members, law enforcement, or healthcare providers to petition a court for an ERPO, requiring the court to order the seizure of firearms if the respondent fails to surrender them. It specifically defines "firearm" and outlines procedures for filing petitions, service, and court hearings, with no court costs for petitioners. The law aims to prevent gun-related harm through court-supervised temporary firearm removal, while including safeguards like mandatory mental health evaluations and annual reporting requirements.
HB 542 appropriates $7.5 million annually from the ARPA Temporary Savings Fund for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium to expand mental and behavioral health services for children, families, and staff in North Carolina child care facilities and out-of-school programs. The funds, managed by the North Carolina Partnership for Children (NCPC), must supplement existing services and cannot replace current funding, with unused funds remaining available until fully spent. NCPC must distribute the funds to local partnerships and submit annual progress reports detailing services provided, participants served, and recommendations for future initiatives. The bill also establishes a special fund to hold unexpended funds, allowing NCPC to retain up to $5 million in cash annually for future use.
This bill's title ("Ensuring Patient Safety with Mail Order Medications") does not match its actual content. The bill, formally titled "AN ACT REVISING ABORTION-INDUCING DRUG LAWS," restricts the mailing of abortion-inducing drugs in North Carolina. It prohibits mailing such drugs to pregnant women unless a qualified physician provides in-person counseling 72 hours prior, all other informed consent requirements are met, and the drugs are FDA-approved. Violations carry $5,000 fines per offense or Class H felony charges, and the bill creates civil remedies allowing women, parents, or the Attorney General to sue for damages or injunctions. The bill is currently pending in committee (referred March 31, 2025) and would take effect December 1, 2025.
HB 536 modifies North Carolina's Physical Therapy Practice Act by establishing a new Board of Examiners to regulate the profession. The Board will consist of eight members (including a medical doctor, four physical therapists, two physical therapist assistants, and a public member) appointed to oversee licensing, discipline, and continuing education requirements for physical therapists and assistants. The bill clarifies that physical therapy practice excludes surgery, chiropractic, or medical diagnosis, and specifies that the Board may investigate complaints confidentially while making disciplinary decisions public. This legislation directly affects licensed physical therapists, physical therapist assistants, and the public by setting standards for practice, licensure, and professional conduct in North Carolina.
HB 702 updates North Carolina's chiropractic licensing rules. It requires chiropractors to complete 4,200 hours of accredited education (including a bachelor's degree) and pass exams covering subjects like anatomy and chiropractic philosophy. The bill adds new standards for chiropractors to practice acupuncture and clarifies that licensed chiropractors cannot prescribe drugs or perform surgery. It also revises Board membership rules (e.g., limiting members from the same chiropractic school) and establishes supervised training programs for students. These changes affect current and future chiropractors, chiropractic schools, and the State Board of Chiropractic Examiners.
HB 759 allocates $100,000 in nonrecurring state funds to Forsyth County for two specific programs. It will fund two mobile health and support units serving residents across seven counties (Forsyth, Davidson, Davie, Guilford, Randolph, Stokes, and Yadkin), providing essential health, social services, and nutrition. Additionally, it establishes a work-based learning program for adult parents to improve community engagement and economic mobility. The funding is effective July 1, 2025, and directly supports county-level initiatives rather than creating new statewide policies.
HB 725, the "MOMnibus 3.0," establishes a state grant program to address preventable maternal health disparities affecting Black birthing people in North Carolina. The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to award competitive grants ($10,000-$50,000 per recipient) to community-based organizations focused on improving maternal health outcomes for Black women. Key provisions require grantees to address social barriers (like housing, transportation, and nutrition), provide culturally respectful care training for health workers, and offer services including mental health support, doula care, and evidence-based education. The program specifically prioritizes Black-led organizations serving communities with high maternal health disparities, aiming to reduce preventable deaths and complications through targeted community support.
HB 525 reorganizes North Carolina's Advisory Council on Rare Diseases by moving it from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and appropriates funds to cover its operating costs. The council, composed of 19 diverse members including patients, caregivers, medical professionals, researchers, and industry representatives, directly serves the rare disease community by advising state leaders on research, treatment, and policy. Key provisions include requiring the council to coordinate statewide efforts on rare disease awareness, incidence tracking, and policy initiatives, and to submit annual reports to the Governor, DHHS, and legislative committees. This bill formalizes DHHS oversight of the council and ensures dedicated funding for its operations, streamlining coordination with state health programs.
