Rep. Bill Ward

Maddy summaryHB 45 prevents occupational licensing boards in North Carolina from automatically denying licenses based solely on a conviction classified as a "crime of moral turpitude." It requires boards to evaluate each applicant's criminal history using specific factors, including the crime's severity, time elapsed, rehabilitation efforts, and relevance to the job. Applicants with criminal records must be given 30 days to address concerns or submit rehabilitation evidence before a final denial, and boards must provide written explanations for denials. The bill directly affects individuals seeking professional licenses (e.g., for nursing, contracting, or cosmetology) who have criminal convictions, ensuring decisions are based on individualized assessments rather than automatic exclusions.

Maddy summaryHB 120 appropriates $1,040,514 annually for fiscal years 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 to expand North Carolina's Project C.A.R.E. program. The bill directly funds support services for family caregivers of individuals living with Alzheimer's disease or related dementias. It provides recurring state funding to the Division of Aging and Adult Services to enhance existing caregiver assistance programs. The legislation becomes effective July 1, 2025, without altering eligibility or service requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 177 requires North Carolina's State Human Resources Commission (SHRC) to review job requirements across state agencies and identify positions where a four-year college degree is unnecessary. The bill directs the SHRC to replace degree requirements with alternative qualifications like military service, apprenticeships, or trade school training where appropriate, and to remove unnecessary degree language from job postings. This policy change directly affects state job applicants who may qualify through non-degree pathways. The SHRC must report annually starting October 2025 on progress toward reducing these barriers.

Maddy summaryHB 30 grants Winston-Salem/Forsyth, Stokes, and Davidson County Schools additional flexibility to set their school calendar opening date as early as August 19 (instead of the standard August 26) if they demonstrate "good cause" through documented emergency closures (8+ days in 4 of the last 10 years). It also allows these districts to administer annual student assessments earlier if their fall semester ends before December 31. The bill modifies existing calendar rules under state law and applies only to these three school systems beginning in the 2025-2026 school year. These changes aim to accommodate emergency-related school closures while ensuring minimum instructional requirements are met.

Maddy summaryHB 127 requires North Carolina's State Board of Elections to create a sample voter registration form for use by organizations conducting organized voter registration drives. The form must clearly distinguish itself from official registration materials, include disclaimers that it is not a valid form, and provide information on where to obtain official forms, deadlines, and online registration. Organizations must register with county election boards before conducting drives, providing details like their structure, number of forms needed, and whether participants are paid or volunteers. Using the official voter registration form for drives is prohibited, with violations classified as a Class 2 misdemeanor. This bill applies to all organized voter registration activities in North Carolina starting when it becomes law.

Maddy summaryHB 51 grants Caswell County Schools, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools, and Orange County Schools flexibility to set their own school calendars, including aligning with local community college schedules. It modifies state requirements that typically mandate school openings no earlier than August 26 and closings no later than June 11, allowing these districts to adjust dates based on community college calendars. The bill also permits these schools to administer student assessments earlier in the semester if their fall semester ends before December 31, rather than waiting for the usual final instructional days. This policy change applies only to the specified districts starting in the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 33 allows Yadkin County Schools and Davie County Schools to align their academic calendars with Surry County Community College or Davidson-Davie Community College. This bill amends state law to explicitly permit these two school districts to match community college schedules, overriding standard state-mandated opening (no earlier than August 26) and closing (no later than June 11) dates. The change applies only to these specific school systems and takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year. The bill does not alter general calendar requirements for other North Carolina school districts.

Maddy summaryHB 172 allows Camden County Schools to begin the academic year as early as the Monday closest to August 19 (instead of August 26) if the district demonstrates "good cause" through documented school closures (eight days per year over four of the last ten years) due to weather, power failures, or other emergencies. The bill amends state law to permit this calendar adjustment while ensuring schools still meet required instructional days. It applies exclusively to Camden County Schools and takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year. The change does not affect other schools with existing modified calendars.

Maddy summaryHB 159 establishes a $75 million grant program within North Carolina's Department of Transportation to improve subdivision streets that don't meet state highway standards and aren't maintained by local governments. It directly affects counties and municipalities with these "orphan roads," providing funds for repairs up to $250,000 per subdivision, requiring a 25% local match (25 cents for every dollar awarded). Once roads meet standards, ownership transfers to the state or local government for ongoing maintenance. The program runs from July 2025 through June 2030, with unspent funds rolling over to the Highway Fund.

Maddy summaryHB 164 requires parental or guardian consent before releasing autopsy records for children under 18. It makes all autopsy-related materials - including photos, videos, and reports - confidential, except when disclosure is needed for public health, research, legal compliance, or to address safety concerns. If parents withhold consent, a court may override this through a special proceeding after reviewing factors like public interest and privacy intrusion. The bill also allows public access to autopsy recordings (with supervision) unless parents request confidentiality under this law. It applies to all child deaths under 18 in North Carolina, affecting medical examiners, families, and entities seeking autopsy records.