Rep. Jake Johnson

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 560, known as the "Parents Protection Act," makes several changes to laws governing juvenile care and child adoption. The bill specifies that parents, guardians, or caretakers who raise a juvenile consistent with their biological sex, including related mental health or medical decisions, shall not be subject to abuse or neglect petitions or child abuse charges solely based on those actions. Additionally, it prohibits adoption and foster care agencies from denying opportunities or placements to prospective parents based on their refusal to support a child's gender transition. These provisions apply to petitions filed and offenses committed on or after December 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 415 modifies North Carolina high school mathematics graduation requirements, primarily affecting students and the State Board of Education. It requires completion of NC Math 1 and 2, plus two additional math courses aligned with a student's postsecondary plans, and eliminates the end-of-course test for NC Math 3. The bill establishes an "Extended Math" pathway, dividing NC Math 1 and 2 content into four courses for students needing more time and support. Students scoring below proficient on certain math assessments will be enrolled in these extended courses, which are set to begin in the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 997 requires members of the North Carolina General Assembly to certify whether they have reviewed the U.S. Constitution and the North Carolina Constitution. This certification must be submitted to the Principal Clerk of their respective house before they take their oath of office. The review of the Constitutions must have occurred within the two years prior to taking the oath. This act is scheduled to become effective on January 1, 2027.

Maddy summaryThe Coach Safely Act (HB 602) establishes an annual training requirement for individuals serving as athletics personnel or coaches for youth sports organizations using state or local government properties. These organizations must provide a free, Department of Health and Human Services-approved youth sports injury education course. The course must cover topics such as concussions, emergency preparedness, CPR, and heat-related injuries. This bill aims to enhance safety for youth athletes aged 18 and younger by ensuring their coaches are trained in injury prevention and response, and provides a defense against liability claims for trained personnel who follow course guidelines.

Maddy summaryHB 674, "The Firearms Liberty Act," proposes several changes to firearms regulations. It would allow for the issuance of lifetime concealed handgun permits, in addition to the current five-year permits, affecting individuals seeking to carry concealed handguns. The bill also specifies that permittees whose concealed carry permits lapse would not need to retake a firearms safety course for renewal under certain conditions. Furthermore, it aims to protect the property rights of individuals subject to domestic violence protective orders by enabling them to store or sell their firearms through qualified licensed dealers. Finally, the bill authorizes the storage and use of defensive devices in biometric safes for schools.

Maddy summaryHB 690, "The Citizens Support Act," directs several state and local agencies to ensure that state-funded benefits are provided only to U.S. citizens and noncitizens legally authorized to reside in the United States. The Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Commerce, Housing Finance Agency, and local housing authorities must develop plans to review eligibility criteria and verify the immigration status of applicants for various benefits, including housing, welfare, and medical assistance. State-funded institutions of higher education are required to adopt policies to verify applicants' legal residency for tuition and educational benefits. Additionally, the Division of Employment Security must implement a policy to verify legal residency for unemployment benefit applicants. These agencies are also mandated to report on their implementation progress and any federal laws that prevent them from denying benefits.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 818 aims to standardize access to new birth certificates for adopted individuals, making the process similar to those who are not adopted. It directs the State Registrar to prepare a new birth certificate for adoptees that lists their adoptive parents and contains no reference to the adoption itself. The bill specifies that certified copies of these new birth certificates can be provided to the adoptee, their children, adoptive parents, and other immediate adoptive family members. It also ensures original birth certificates and adoption records remain sealed, while counties receive copies of the new certificate to replace the original. This act is intended to apply to new birth certificates for persons adopted before, on, or after October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 214, known as the "Faithful Article V Commissioner Act," creates rules for North Carolina's participation in a convention for proposing amendments to the U.S. Constitution. It outlines how commissioners and alternates are to be selected by the General Assembly, their qualifications, and their ethical obligations. The bill strictly defines the scope of authority for these commissioners, limiting them to the specific issues outlined in their commission and the convention's call. Commissioners must take an oath to abide by these limits, and exceeding their defined authority is deemed a Class I felony.

Maddy summaryHB 781 bans unauthorized public camping or sleeping on public property across North Carolina, directly affecting individuals experiencing homelessness and local governments. It prohibits counties and municipalities from allowing such activities, but permits them to designate specific public property for temporary camping for up to one year. These designated sites must meet standards for safety, sanitation (including restrooms and water), and access to behavioral health services, and prohibit illegal substance use. Such designations require certification from the Department of Health and Human Services, which assesses factors like shelter bed availability and proximity to residential areas. Residents or businesses can take legal action against local governments that fail to enforce the ban.

Maddy summaryHB 606 amends North Carolina's civil procedure statute regarding the time limits for filing lawsuits (accrual of action). The bill establishes specific new rules for malpractice actions related to services facilitating or perpetuating gender transition. For these cases, a lawsuit must be started either within 25 years from the claimant turning 18, or four years from the discovery of both the injury and its causal link to the treatment, whichever is later. Additionally, the bill prohibits medical professionals or entities from contractually waiving liability for these specific actions and states that general medical malpractice damages caps will not apply to them.