Rep. Donnie Loftis

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a pilot program in Vance and Granville Counties to help religious institutions better support people with mental health or substance use needs. The program creates a tiered designation system where churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples can earn Basic, Intermediate, or Advanced status by completing specific training, hosting support groups, and providing mental health resources. To receive these designations, participating institutions must update their websites to show their status and ensure their staff and members complete required mental health training. The state agency responsible for mental health services will manage the application process and submit an annual report on the program's progress to the legislature.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends state law to allow The University of North Carolina to enter into agreements with technology vendors to trade in or buy back surplus computer equipment. The legislation specifically authorizes the university to sell back devices even if they were not originally purchased from the vendor and sets conditions for distributing surplus computers to nonprofit organizations that refurbish them for low-income students. To ensure accountability, the bill requires nonprofits to report on their refurbishment efforts and the disposition of any equipment they cannot fix, with annual reports submitted to the university board and the state's education oversight committee. These changes aim to streamline the management of university surplus technology while maintaining oversight on how donated resources are used.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Second Amendment Financial Privacy Act, prohibits payment card networks from using special codes to track purchases of firearms or ammunition at merchants in North Carolina. It also bans these networks from maintaining records that identify individuals who own firearms within the state. The law applies to entities that process electronic payments, such as credit card companies, but excludes federally insured banks and credit unions. If a payment network violates these rules, the Attorney General can impose fines of up to $10,000 per violation, and affected merchants or customers can sue for similar damages plus legal fees. The legislation aims to prevent the surveillance of lawful gun purchases and ensure that firearms merchants are not discriminated against based on their business type.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new legal process allowing property owners to request the immediate removal of unauthorized individuals from residential homes by contacting their local sheriff. To use this process, the owner must file a sworn complaint stating that the person is not a tenant or resident, has been asked to leave, and that no valid lease exists, after which the sheriff must act within 24 hours. The legislation also increases penalties for willful damage to residential property and prohibits fraudulent rental advertisements while requiring all leases to be in writing. Property owners who incorrectly use this removal process could face civil lawsuits, including triple damages based on the rent and legal fees.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes new rules for companies in North Carolina that boot or tow vehicles from private property without the owner's consent. It requires these businesses to obtain an annual permit and maintain a public database that logs details about each tow, including the reason for removal and the fees charged. Private property owners must display specific signs at parking lot entrances listing the towing company's contact information and fees before any vehicle can be removed. The legislation also sets limits on how far a towed vehicle can be transported and prohibits booting cars that are currently occupied. Additionally, it clarifies that residential properties with four or fewer units are exempt from the mandatory signage requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a Physician Assistant Licensure Compact in North Carolina to make it easier for licensed PAs to practice across different states. Under the new rules, a PA holding a valid license in one participating state can obtain a temporary privilege to work in another participating state without applying for a full new license. The system requires PAs to follow the laws of the state where the patient is located and allows state boards to discipline practitioners who move between states. Additionally, the compact includes specific provisions to help active-duty military personnel and their spouses obtain practice privileges quickly when relocating.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits financial institutions in North Carolina from using special codes to identify credit card transactions made at local firearms retailers. The law defines a firearms code as any indicator that marks a purchase of guns or related items and bans banks and payment processors from applying these tags to such transactions. Violations can result in civil penalties of up to $10,000 per incident, which may be enforced by the state Attorney General or pursued through lawsuits filed by affected businesses or consumers. Additionally, the bill allocates $5,000 to inform businesses about these new requirements, with most provisions taking effect on October 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryHB 1029 allows patients with life-threatening or severely debilitating illnesses to access custom-made investigational drugs, biological products, or devices that are tailored to their specific genetic profiles. To qualify, a patient must consult with a treating physician, confirm that standard FDA-approved treatments are unlikely to help, and provide written informed consent acknowledging the risks and potential costs. The bill permits manufacturers to offer these treatments for free or at the patient's expense while explicitly stating that health insurance plans are not required to cover these costs. Additionally, the legislation protects doctors from disciplinary action for recommending such treatments and ensures that a patient's heirs are not held financially responsible for any outstanding debts related to the therapy if the patient passes away.

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina bill requires health insurance plans sold in the state to cover transcranial magnetic stimulation services without denying, reducing, or limiting reimbursement for properly submitted claims. It specifically protects licensed healthcare providers from being penalized based on their medical specialty when submitting these claims. To support this change, the state will allocate one million dollars to the North Carolina State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees to ensure compliance. The law takes effect on October 1, 2024, for new, renewed, or amended insurance contracts.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires University of North Carolina schools with large enrollments to play football and basketball games against each other and against smaller UNC schools. It mandates that big schools play at least one game per year against other large UNC schools and every six years against smaller ones, alternating home and away matchups. The legislation also provides $1 million in funding to inform the public about these new competition rules, which would begin applying to the 2025-2026 academic year.