Immigration (Driver Licenses & IDs)

This bill establishes strict privacy rules for immigration data held by North Carolina state agencies, limiting when such information can be shared with law enforcement or other government entities. Under the new law, state departments may only release immigration records if the individual provides consent or if a court issues a valid order, subpoena, or warrant. Additionally, the bill requires agencies to notify individuals within three business days when their data is requested and to submit annual reports detailing all such requests to the Attorney General. To support these changes, the legislation appropriates $1.5 million starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year to fund necessary technology updates, staff training, and compliance reporting.

HB 371 requires North Carolina's Division of Motor Vehicles to provide driver's license handbooks and written tests in Khmer and any language spoken by at least 2% of the state's population. This directly affects applicants who speak these languages by offering materials in their preferred language during the licensing process. The key provision mandates the DMV to add these language options to its standard services, moving beyond English-only requirements. The law takes effect on January 1, 2026.