Rep. Maria Cervania

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 523 allows certified school social workers in North Carolina public schools to qualify for education-based salary supplements if they hold a master's degree (or higher), regardless of whether a master's degree is required for their state license. This directly affects school social workers who meet the degree requirement but previously might have been ineligible due to licensure rules. The bill amends state law to include them in the eligibility group for these supplements, which were previously limited to certain roles like school nurses or personnel where a master's degree was licensure-required. The law appropriates $500,000 for the 2025-2026 school year to fund this change and takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 542 appropriates $7.5 million annually from the ARPA Temporary Savings Fund for the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium to expand mental and behavioral health services for children, families, and staff in North Carolina child care facilities and out-of-school programs. The funds, managed by the North Carolina Partnership for Children (NCPC), must supplement existing services and cannot replace current funding, with unused funds remaining available until fully spent. NCPC must distribute the funds to local partnerships and submit annual progress reports detailing services provided, participants served, and recommendations for future initiatives. The bill also establishes a special fund to hold unexpended funds, allowing NCPC to retain up to $5 million in cash annually for future use.

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 531 appropriates $4 million annually to expand North Carolina's New Teacher Support Program, directly benefiting new teachers with alternative licenses (such as residency or emergency permits) and their local school districts. The bill provides three key supports: assigned regional instructional coaches, professional development aligned with teachers' needs, and a beginning teacher summit. It prioritizes schools in designated high-need counties to address a 15% first-year attrition rate among new teachers. This funding eliminates cost barriers for schools and teachers, making program participation free and increasing access to evidence-based support.

Maddy summaryHB 534 appropriates $700,000 from North Carolina's General Fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to establish sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) training programs at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and Wake Technical Community College. Each college receives $350,000 to hire a full-time faculty member ($105,000), a clinical coordinator ($105,000), purchase equipment/supplies ($45,000), and cover program development and accreditation costs ($95,000). The bill directly affects these two community colleges and future healthcare professionals seeking SANE certification. It creates a concrete funding mechanism to expand training capacity for nurses specializing in sexual assault victim care.

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 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 482 reauthorizes North Carolina's teacher bonus program for 2025-2027, expanding eligibility to include teachers who leave their school due to military orders. It allows qualifying teachers to receive bonuses based on student performance (e.g., AP/IB exam scores or industry certifications) even if they no longer teach at the same school, provided they submit a military transfer notice and updated address by January 1. The bill maintains existing bonus amounts ($50 for advanced courses, $25/$50 for CTE certifications) but adds this military exception to the eligibility criteria. This directly affects public school teachers who separate due to military service but meet other bonus qualifications.

Maddy summaryHB 490 revises North Carolina's community college funding model to prioritize enrollment in workforce-focused programs. It requires the State Board of Community Colleges to allocate base funding plus additional funds based on full-time student enrollment in curriculum, workforce training, and Basic Skills courses, with weighted funding for high-demand fields. The bill also creates an "Enrollment Increase Reserve" to fund colleges with enrollment growth exceeding 5% in targeted programs and permits community colleges to add up to a 10% tuition surcharge for eligible courses, with funds restricted to instructional costs. These changes directly affect community colleges and students in workforce education, effective July 1, 2025.