Rep. Donnie Loftis

Maddy summaryHB 872 protects school employees who use reasonable force to maintain safety in specific situations, such as stopping disturbances, preventing injury, or removing weapons. It creates a legal presumption that such force is reasonable in investigations or court, shifting the burden to prove otherwise to the claimant. The bill prohibits retaliation, dismissal, or license revocation against staff for using reasonable force in line with school policies, even if criminal allegations arise (as long as force was reasonable and no conviction occurs). This directly affects teachers, administrators, and other school personnel by reducing legal risks when responding to safety threats on school property.

Maddy summaryHB 160 requires North Carolina's University of North Carolina School of Medicine Area Health Education Centers (NC AHEC) to create and share evidence-based information about sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) with all healthcare practitioners in the state. This includes current risk factors, conditions, and contact details for epilepsy support organizations, available on NC AHEC's website. Healthcare providers treating epilepsy patients will directly receive this standardized resource, which must be compiled by consulting medical boards and professional societies. NC AHEC must report the completed resource to the legislature by September 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 471, the Food Labeling Transparency Act, requires manufacturers of cell-cultured and insect-based food products to clearly label items that use meat or poultry terms (like "beef," "chicken," or "burger") with qualifying terms such as "cell-cultured," "insect-based," or "lab-grown" in prominent, close proximity to the product name. This applies to products that mimic traditional meat or poultry but are made without animal slaughter, directly affecting manufacturers of these alternative protein products. The law mandates this labeling to prevent consumer confusion by ensuring the product’s origin is transparent, with enforcement starting October 1, 2025. It does not restrict the sale of these products but requires specific labeling to distinguish them from conventional meat.

Maddy summaryHB 384 would allow enlisted members of the North Carolina National Guard (ranks E-1 to E-5) who live in North Carolina to deduct their federal basic military pay from their state income tax. This policy change applies only to their federal service pay, not other income, and would take effect for taxes filed in 2025 and later. The bill amends North Carolina’s tax code to include this deduction for qualifying National Guard members. It does not alter federal tax treatment or apply to higher ranks or other military personnel.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires North Carolina's Commission for Public Health to wait at least three years after a vaccine receives U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval before adding it to the state's childhood immunization schedule. It allows exceptions only if both the North Carolina Medical Society and North Carolina Pediatric Society recommend adding a vaccine approved for less than three years. The law directly affects the Commission's authority to update vaccination requirements for school-aged children and the medical societies' role in advising on shorter-approved vaccines. It does not change existing vaccination requirements or exemptions for medical reasons.

Maddy summaryHB 800 directs North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services to study the effectiveness of state child care programs like NC Pre-K and Smart Start, including funding allocation and quality rating systems, with findings due by April 2026. It also allocates $10 million for a pilot program that automatically enrolls preschool-age children (8 weeks-5 years) of full-time licensed child care teachers in state subsidy programs, provided teachers commit to completing early childhood education coursework within 18 months. The pilot targets counties with the highest historical child care capacity loss, requires centers to accept standard subsidy rates without extra fees, and mandates quarterly participation reports starting in 2026. This directly affects licensed child care teachers and their preschool children, aiming to improve child care access and workforce retention.

Maddy summaryHB 802 requires all North Carolina public schools to adopt written policies banning the use of nicotine, hemp, and vaping products (including e-cigarettes and delta-8) in school buildings, on campuses, and at school events. Students under 21 found in possession of these products will have them confiscated, with parents notified within 24 hours; first offenses require schools to provide evidence-based cessation resources and education, while repeat offenses trigger disciplinary action. Schools must also distribute age-appropriate, Department of Health and Human Services-approved prevention materials to students at the start of each school year. The bill mandates schools to enforce these policies through clear signage, staff training, and collaboration with health officials.

Maddy summaryHB 799 requires North Carolina state and city government workplaces to prohibit 13 specific concepts from training programs and hiring practices, including claims that one race is superior, individuals bear guilt for past group actions, or meritocracy is inherently biased. It bans state job applications from asking about race and prevents agencies from requiring applicants to endorse political or social beliefs as a condition of employment. Violations would be treated as employment discrimination under state law, with enforcement through existing grievance procedures. The bill explicitly excludes First Amendment-protected speech and applies only to state and city government workplaces, not private employers.

Maddy summaryHB 790 prohibits the sale of tobacco, vape, and alternative nicotine products within 1,000 feet of any public or nonpublic school building. It directly affects vape and tobacco shops located near schools, banning sales in those zones while excluding home schools and colleges. The law includes an exception for incidental sales tied to a business's primary operations but classifies violations as Class 2 misdemeanors. The bill takes effect December 1, 2025, and applies to offenses occurring on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 804, the "Human Life Protection Act of 2025," prohibits most abortions in North Carolina starting July 1, 2025, defining "abortion" as any act intending to cause fetal death after fertilization. The law permits exceptions only when a licensed physician determines, using reasonable medical judgment, that a pregnancy poses a life-threatening risk to the mother or causes serious impairment of a major bodily function - excluding risks from the mother's own actions. Violations carry criminal penalties (Class B1 felony for causing fetal death, Class B2 for other violations) and civil penalties of $100,000 per violation, plus potential license revocation for medical providers. This law directly affects pregnant individuals seeking abortions and healthcare providers performing them in North Carolina, replacing prior exceptions and repealing related statutes.