Rep. Becky Carney

Maddy summaryHB 503, the "Don't Tread on Me Act," proposes new protections for North Carolinians by restricting government overreach in privacy, healthcare, education, and employment. It prohibits state agencies from conducting warrantless surveillance, demanding private medical or political information for services, denying reproductive care based on ideology, interfering with parental decisions without due process, or censoring fact-based education. The bill also bans discrimination in employment, housing, or public services based on private beliefs, medical history, or lawful conduct. Currently in early legislative stages (filed March 24, passed 1st reading March 26), it would take effect if enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 513 appropriates $1 million annually from the General Fund to fund North Carolina's Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program through fiscal years 2025-2027. It allocates $855,000 yearly to create nine new full-time Regional Ombudsman positions in areas most needing support, as determined by the State Ombudsman, to help meet national staffing standards. The remaining funds cover operational costs like equipment, supplies, and transportation for existing program staff. This directly benefits long-term care residents by expanding access to ombudsman services that address facility concerns and advocate for their rights.

Maddy summaryHB 504 allocates $474,680 over the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium to fund a pilot program in Mecklenburg County towns (Matthews, Pineville, and Mint Hill), directly affecting these localities and residents experiencing mental health crises. The bill provides funds to hire full-time mental health professionals who will work alongside police officers during mental health-related emergency calls, integrating clinical support into law enforcement responses. Each participating town receives specific annual allocations ($131,280 for Matthews, $171,700 each for Pineville and Mint Hill) to support this co-responder model. The program aims to improve outcomes for individuals in mental health distress by pairing law enforcement with mental health professionals during crisis calls. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 499, the North Carolina Paid Family Leave Insurance Act, would create a state-run program providing up to 26 weeks of paid leave for eligible workers in North Carolina starting January 1, 2027. It directly affects most employees who meet income and work requirements, allowing them to take leave for the birth or adoption of a child (up to 12 weeks), caring for a seriously ill family member (up to 12 weeks), their own serious health condition (up to 18 weeks), or caring for a military service member (up to 26 weeks). The program is funded through employee contributions and administered by the Division of Employment Security, with specific definitions of eligible family members and protections against employer retaliation for taking leave. The bill does not cover federal employees or the U.S. government.

Maddy summaryHB 497 prohibits defendants in North Carolina from using a victim's sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, or sex as a defense in homicide or assault cases. It bans arguments that the defendant's reaction to discovering or perceiving someone's LGBTQ+ identity justified the crime, whether the belief was true or not. The law applies to all such cases occurring on or after December 1, 2025, and does not affect prosecutions for offenses committed before that date. This changes court procedures by removing a specific legal argument that has been used to reduce charges in some cases involving LGBTQ+ victims.

Maddy summaryHB 500, titled "NC Adopt Equal Rights Amendment," is a resolution by the North Carolina General Assembly to formally ratify the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) to the U.S. Constitution. The ERA, proposed by Congress in 1972 and ratified by 38 states (including Virginia in 2020), aims to guarantee equal rights under the law regardless of sex. This bill directs the state to send a certified copy of the ratification to the U.S. Archivist, Congress, and North Carolina’s congressional delegation. It is a procedural act with no direct impact on state law, solely affirming North Carolina’s support for the ERA’s status as the 28th Amendment.

Maddy summaryHB 509, the Right to Reproductive Freedom Act, codifies the constitutional protections for abortion access established in Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey by prohibiting North Carolina from imposing restrictions that create an undue burden before fetal viability. The bill allows state restrictions only after fetal viability to preserve life or health and defines "undue burden" as any substantial obstacle to accessing abortion care. It removes barriers such as unnecessary parental consent requirements for minors and expands the scope of healthcare providers (including nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives) who can perform or assist with abortion care. Additionally, the bill requires health insurance plans to cover abortion services and related complications, ensuring broader access for insured individuals.

Maddy summaryHB 486 appropriates $1 million from North Carolina's General Fund to Blue Star Families, Inc., a nonprofit organization, for specific military family support programs. The funds will directly support military spouses through career development (via a Fayetteville chapter), strengthen military families, and provide caregiver services for veterans and military personnel. The allocation is structured as $400,000 for career programs, $300,000 for family strengthening, and $300,000 for caregiver services, all for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025, and focuses solely on funding existing nonprofit services without altering laws or creating new requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 495, the "Accessing Midwives Act," establishes a licensing system for Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) in North Carolina. It requires CPMs to obtain a state license to practice midwifery care - covering pregnancy, birth, and postpartum support - while exempting existing Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs), physicians, and emergency care. The bill creates the North Carolina Council of Midwives to set standards and oversee licensing, with members including CPMs, physicians, and community representatives. This directly affects CPMs seeking legal practice and aims to standardize midwifery care under state regulation.

Maddy summaryHB 493 creates confidential reporting and resolution procedures for workplace harassment in North Carolina's General Assembly, affecting all legislators, staff (including part-time/temporary employees), volunteers, and pages. It requires mandatory annual training on preventing harassment and discrimination, establishes clear consequences for violations, and mandates a confidential investigation process handled by an independent third party. The bill appropriates $250,000 to fund training materials, infrastructure, and the independent investigator for the 2025-2027 fiscal years. These changes apply to all workplace interactions, including legislative events and business-related activities, with specific disciplinary actions ranging from warnings to expulsion for legislators.