HB 920, the NC Digital Asset Freedom Act, allows North Carolina residents and businesses to use qualifying digital assets for everyday transactions and tax payments. To qualify, digital assets must meet strict criteria including 10 years of security, $750 billion market capitalization, decentralized governance, proof-of-work security, and U.S. regulatory classification as a non-security. The bill recognizes these assets as legally valid payment methods (preventing denial of enforceability) and permits tax payments to the state using them, requiring reporting of U.S. dollar equivalents at transaction time. It also mandates privacy protections for users and imposes a $2,000 daily transaction limit for new users of digital asset kiosks to prevent fraud.
SB 801 protects the personal information of North Carolina special operations personnel and their families by making their addresses, phone numbers, and school details confidential. The bill requires state agencies to keep this data private unless the individual requests disclosure and confirms they have taken steps to protect it through other means. It also expands the state's Address Confidentiality Program to include these individuals, allowing them to use a substitute address for receiving mail and legal documents. Additionally, the legislation creates a new civil liability law against doxing and allocates funds to implement these protections.
HB 349 updates North Carolina's requirements for healthcare powers of attorney (POA) and advance health care directives (like living wills). It clarifies witness and notary rules to prevent conflicts of interest (e.g., prohibiting facility staff from witnessing), standardizes forms for easier use, and allows electronic filing of directives with the Secretary of State’s registry. The bill directly affects residents planning ahead for medical decisions, ensuring their chosen agents or instructions are legally recognized. Key changes include revised witness eligibility criteria, simplified form language, and a new online filing option to improve accessibility. The bill does not alter medical care standards but streamlines the legal process for end-of-life planning.
HB 301, titled "Social Media Protections for Minors Under 16," aims to regulate social media platforms for minors in North Carolina. The bill prohibits social media platforms from allowing children under 14 years of age to create accounts and requires them to terminate existing accounts for this age group, deleting their personal data. For minors aged 14 or 15, platforms must obtain parental or guardian consent before they can create or maintain an account. The North Carolina Department of Justice is responsible for enforcing these provisions, which allows for civil penalties and damages for violations, including potential lawsuits by affected minors.
HB 936 modifies North Carolina's laws governing telephone solicitations to specifically address robocalls and spam text messages. The bill defines "robocall" to include artificial or prerecorded voice messages, ringless voicemails, and scam texts, and applies new restrictions to "robocallers." It prohibits robocalls before 8:00 A.M. or after 9:00 P.M., forbids intimidating language, and prevents misleading caller identification. Additionally, it clarifies the requirements for "prior express written consent" needed for solicitors to contact individuals on the "Do Not Call" Registry, stipulating conditions for this consent.
This bill establishes a regulatory framework for North Carolina banks and credit unions to offer digital asset services, such as custody, staking, and transaction processing. It requires these financial institutions to notify state regulators before starting custody services and obtain specific approval if they intend to manage customer assets in a fiduciary capacity. The legislation also mandates clear written agreements between institutions and customers, explicitly stating that digital assets held by the bank are not insured deposits or liabilities of the institution. By defining key terms like digital assets and staking, the act aims to provide legal clarity and safety standards for the growing digital asset market within the state.
SB 245 would allow residents to apply for or renew driver's licenses remotely, without visiting a physical office. This directly affects people who face challenges traveling to license centers, such as those with disabilities, rural residents, or individuals with busy schedules. The bill would establish a secure online process for these transactions, including identity verification and document submission. Currently pending in the Senate's Rules and Operations committee (after being withdrawn and re-referred to Health Care), it has not yet advanced to a vote.
SB 416, the Personal Privacy Protection Act, prohibits North Carolina public agencies from collecting, disclosing, or releasing personal information about members, volunteers, or donors (financial or nonfinancial) to 501(c) nonprofit organizations. It directly affects individuals who support nonprofits, shielding their identities from public agency records. Key provisions ban agencies from requiring such information, publicly sharing it, or asking contractors/grantees for lists of nonprofit supporters. The bill designates this information as non-public under state law, with limited exemptions for court orders, required disclosures, or voluntary releases by the individual.
SB 124 aims to make North Carolina state government hiring more accessible by reducing unnecessary barriers. It requires the State Human Resources Commission to review job requirements starting October 2025, removing mandatory four-year degree requirements where practical experience (like military service or trade school) is sufficient. The bill also modernizes the application process by allowing resume uploads to auto-fill forms and simplifies job postings to limit additional qualifications to five, ensuring applicants clearly see basic requirements. These changes apply to all state agencies hiring staff, directly affecting job seekers and hiring managers across North Carolina's government workforce.
HB 959 requires North Carolina public schools to adopt internet safety policies by January 2026, limiting student access to age-appropriate content and blocking social media except for teacher-directed educational use. It mandates annual social media literacy instruction in all grades, covering mental health impacts, misinformation, online safety, and identifying cyberbullying. The bill also establishes rules for wireless device use during class, prohibiting personal device use except for educational purposes, medical needs, or special education plans. These provisions directly affect all K-12 public schools and students across North Carolina, with policies to be implemented starting in the 2026-2027 school year.
