Rep. Allison Dahle

Maddy summaryHB 551 aims to improve access to Clubhouse model programs for North Carolinians with severe mental illness by creating a statewide reimbursement system for these services. It requires the state mental health agency to develop a plan by 2026 that includes incentives for Clubhouses to gain accreditation, consistent funding rates across regions, and staff training. The bill allocates $2.5 million in recurring funds starting July 2026 to support accredited Clubhouses for current programs, expansion, accreditation costs, and staff training. It also mandates Medicaid coverage for services under this new reimbursement system, directly affecting individuals with severe mental illness and Clubhouse providers.

Maddy summaryHB 550 updates North Carolina legislators' travel reimbursement rates to match the current federal IRS business mileage rate and federal employee per diem rates for meals and lodging, effective for travel starting in 2027. It directly affects all state legislators traveling for official legislative duties, including committee work and sessions. The bill sets mileage reimbursement to the IRS standard rate (referencing specific IRS notices) and aligns per diem allowances with federal rates for Raleigh-based travel, as detailed in the 2024 IRS notices. This eliminates separate state rates, instead tying allowances to ongoing federal updates. The change applies to all travel, including out-of-state trips where legislators may choose a flat $26/day meal rate plus lodging receipts.

Maddy summaryHB 548 requires North Carolina's Department of Commerce to conduct biannual analyses of the state's economic progress and well-being using specific community-focused metrics. It allocates $200,000 annually from the General Fund to fund these reports, which must measure poverty rates, housing and childcare costs relative to income, job quality, and neighborhood poverty patterns across all counties. The reports, due to the General Assembly by January 31 each odd-numbered year, will use public data and community input to assess economic conditions beyond traditional market indicators. This bill directly affects how state policymakers evaluate economic policy impacts, focusing on tangible quality-of-life factors for all North Carolinians.

Maddy summaryHB 529 is a straightforward repeal bill that removes two specific provisions from North Carolina law that were part of the original HB 2 (2016). It repeals Article 81A of Chapter 143 (related to public accommodations) and G.S. 95-25.1(d) (a non-discrimination provision). The bill directly affects how public accommodations and non-discrimination protections were previously defined under HB 2. This is a clean repeal with no new provisions or mechanisms; it simply eliminates those specific sections of law.

Maddy summaryHB 538, "Equality for All," expands North Carolina's anti-discrimination laws to protect residents in housing and employment. The bill adds sexual orientation, gender identity, military/veteran status, and genetic information to the list of protected characteristics, prohibiting discrimination by landlords, real estate agents, and employers (with 15+ employees) based on these factors. Key provisions ban refusal to rent/sell property, discriminatory advertising, denial of housing services, and employment decisions based on protected status. It applies broadly to all housing transactions and employment opportunities across the state. The law aims to ensure equal access without requiring proof of discriminatory intent.

Maddy summaryHB 514 defines the scope of practice for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in North Carolina, including nurse practitioners (NPs), certified nurse midwives (CNMs), certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs). The bill explicitly outlines the specific responsibilities for each role - such as CNMs managing reproductive health care, NPs diagnosing and treating illnesses, and CRNAs administering anesthesia - removing ambiguity in current law. It directly affects over 20,000 APRNs in North Carolina who currently face restrictions due to undefined practice parameters. The legislation aims to align North Carolina with 36 other states that have clarified APRN authority without compromising patient safety, as supported by research cited in the bill. This statutory definition is intended to improve healthcare access and reduce costs by enabling APRNs to practice to the full extent of their training.

Maddy summaryHB 501 amends North Carolina law to ensure domestic violence protective orders cover same-sex couples in dating relationships. It removes the requirement that dating relationships must involve "opposite-sex" partners, explicitly including same-sex couples under the definition of "dating relationship" in protective order law. This change directly affects same-sex partners who experience domestic violence and seek protection through the dating relationship provision. The bill takes effect for orders issued after it becomes law, making the legal standard for dating relationships gender-neutral.

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 502, the Gender-Affirming Rights Act, repeals North Carolina’s prohibition on gender transition procedures for minors and the use of state funds for such care. It establishes a new legal framework affirming that transgender, nonbinary, and gender-diverse individuals have the right to make autonomous decisions about gender-affirming health care, including treatment for gender dysphoria. The bill mandates that licensed health care professionals complete cultural competency training on LGBTQ care, covering topics like using inclusive terminology, addressing health disparities, and maintaining confidentiality. This directly affects transgender and gender-diverse minors, their health care providers, and local governments, prohibiting additional restrictions beyond the act’s provisions. The law defines "gender-affirming care" and requires health care professionals to provide respectful, nondiscriminatory services aligned with clinical best practices.