This bill directs the North Carolina Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services to create statewide education programs focused on consumer finance safety and public health awareness. The state will fund the development of dedicated websites and toolkits by September 2026 to help local communities launch their own awareness campaigns regarding fraud, identity theft, reproductive health, LGBTQIA+ issues, and racial health disparities. A total of $7 million in recurring funds is allocated to support these initiatives, which are explicitly restricted to explaining existing laws and resources rather than advocating for new legislation. The Department of Justice will receive $3 million, while the Department of Health and Human Services will receive $4 million, with both agencies required to submit progress reports by September 2027.
HB 1167 establishes the 2026 Governor's Budget for North Carolina by providing specific funding amounts to state departments, institutions, and agencies for their current operations. The bill directly affects a wide range of public services, including education, health and human services, agriculture, justice, and general government functions. Key provisions include allocating funds for public schools, universities, healthcare programs, and law enforcement, with detailed dollar amounts specified for each fiscal year of the 2025-2027 biennium. Any unused funds from these appropriations will revert to the appropriate state funds at the end of the fiscal year.
This North Carolina bill allocates $4.2 million in recurring state funds starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support local courts that handle cases involving substance use and mental health issues. The money is designated for the Administrative Office of the Courts to establish and maintain judicially managed accountability and recovery courts, which are designed to help defendants diagnosed with alcoholism, substance use disorders, or mental health conditions. These courts will operate by creating personalized treatment plans for participants and monitoring their progress while they remain involved in the criminal justice system. The funding applies to both new and existing programs that fall under specific state statutes governing these specialized courts.
The BUMP Act directs North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services to provide free, evidence-based education on stillbirth prevention to pregnant patients and train prenatal care providers on monitoring fetal movement and managing related risks. Funded by $400,000 in recurring state money, the bill requires educational materials in English and Spanish to be given to all pregnant women, while also offering training for medical staff on recognizing warning signs like decreased fetal movement. Additionally, the legislation allocates $200,000 to launch a statewide "Count the Kicks" public awareness campaign that prioritizes outreach in areas with higher stillbirth rates to encourage expectant parents to track fetal movements. These measures aim to improve maternal and fetal outcomes by promoting awareness of risk factors and ensuring consistent clinical responses to potential complications.
This bill provides funding to the North Carolina Department of Commerce for small business support and the Biotechnology Center, while also transferring the Advisory Council on Rare Diseases to the Department of Health and Human Services. It establishes a 19-member council with representatives from medical professionals, patients, caregivers, and industry stakeholders to advise on rare disease research and treatment. The legislation also creates a new reserve fund for life sciences and biomanufacturing technologies and allows certain water and sewer economic development projects.
This bill establishes a legal framework for North Carolina to join a multi-state agreement that creates a commission to award prizes for cures to diseases. Once at least six states adopt this compact, they will form a commission responsible for reviewing medical treatments, granting prizes for successful cures, and managing the intellectual property and pricing of those cures. The commission is authorized to collect royalty fees from manufacturers in states that have not joined the agreement, with the collected funds used to reimburse participating states for their share of the prize costs and administrative expenses. Additionally, the bill defines key terms such as "compacting state" and outlines the commission's broad powers to operate, enforce rules, and resolve disputes among member states.
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.
HB 1051 allocates $250,000 in state funds to the MedAid Foundation to improve healthcare for seniors and vulnerable populations in North Carolina. The grant is intended to address barriers such as a lack of affordable medical supplies, limited preventive care, and insufficient support from existing facilities. This funding will be available for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, with the bill taking effect on July 1, 2026.
This bill requires health insurance plans in North Carolina that cover dialysis to also cover home dialysis options. It specifically mandates coverage for staff-assisted home dialysis for individuals who are blind, have cognitive or neurological impairments, or suffer from conditions that limit mobility. The law applies to new, renewed, or amended insurance contracts starting on October 1, 2026, and also extends the same coverage requirements to the state's own health plan. Additionally, the state will allocate $100,000 annually beginning in the 2026-2027 fiscal year to help implement these new coverage rules.
This bill appropriates $3 million from the state's General Fund to provide free hyperbaric oxygen therapy to North Carolina veterans diagnosed with traumatic brain injury or posttraumatic stress disorder. The funding is directed to a nonprofit organization called HBOT 4 HEROES, which will administer the treatment, manage the program, and conduct outcome assessments for an estimated 350 veterans. The act requires the organization to submit a detailed report to state oversight committees by June 30, 2027, covering the number of patients served, their locations, and how the funds were spent. These changes are set to take effect on July 1, 2026.