Rep. Renée Price

Maddy summaryHB 497 prohibits defendants in North Carolina from using a victim's sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, or sex as a defense in homicide or assault cases. It bans arguments that the defendant's reaction to discovering or perceiving someone's LGBTQ+ identity justified the crime, whether the belief was true or not. The law applies to all such cases occurring on or after December 1, 2025, and does not affect prosecutions for offenses committed before that date. This changes court procedures by removing a specific legal argument that has been used to reduce charges in some cases involving LGBTQ+ victims.

Maddy summaryHB 510, the "Menstrual Equity for All Act," exempts feminine hygiene products (like tampons, menstrual cups, and sanitary napkins) from state sales tax starting July 1, 2025. It allocates $750,000 annually from 2025-2027 to fund a grant program through the Department of Public Instruction, providing these products to public school students in need. The bill directly affects public schools and students, particularly in low-income communities, by reducing financial barriers to accessing essential menstrual products. Key provisions include redefining "feminine hygiene products" for tax purposes and establishing a dedicated funding stream for school-based distribution.

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 498 creates a retirement credit for North Carolina teachers who served in the military. It allows veterans to count up to four years of active duty service toward their state retirement system, provided they weren’t dishonorably discharged, served before becoming a teacher, and meet licensure requirements. The bill modifies the retirement system to include this credit, requiring employers to pay a lump sum covering the retirement system’s increased liability for the credited service. This directly affects military veterans transitioning to teaching careers in North Carolina, making their prior service count toward retirement benefits.

Maddy summaryHB 509, the Right to Reproductive Freedom Act, codifies the constitutional protections for abortion access established in Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey by prohibiting North Carolina from imposing restrictions that create an undue burden before fetal viability. The bill allows state restrictions only after fetal viability to preserve life or health and defines "undue burden" as any substantial obstacle to accessing abortion care. It removes barriers such as unnecessary parental consent requirements for minors and expands the scope of healthcare providers (including nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives) who can perform or assist with abortion care. Additionally, the bill requires health insurance plans to cover abortion services and related complications, ensuring broader access for insured individuals.

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.

Maddy summaryHB 494 prohibits therapists from attempting to change a person's sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. It specifically protects minors and adults with disabilities from these practices, which major medical associations have deemed ineffective and harmful. The bill bases this prohibition on consensus from organizations like the American Psychological Association and American Medical Association, citing risks such as depression, self-hatred, and suicide. It aligns with professional standards that affirm LGBTQ+ identities rather than seeking to alter them.

Maddy summaryHB 495, the "Accessing Midwives Act," establishes a licensing system for Certified Professional Midwives (CPMs) in North Carolina. It requires CPMs to obtain a state license to practice midwifery care - covering pregnancy, birth, and postpartum support - while exempting existing Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNMs), physicians, and emergency care. The bill creates the North Carolina Council of Midwives to set standards and oversee licensing, with members including CPMs, physicians, and community representatives. This directly affects CPMs seeking legal practice and aims to standardize midwifery care under state regulation.

Maddy summaryHB 493 creates confidential reporting and resolution procedures for workplace harassment in North Carolina's General Assembly, affecting all legislators, staff (including part-time/temporary employees), volunteers, and pages. It requires mandatory annual training on preventing harassment and discrimination, establishes clear consequences for violations, and mandates a confidential investigation process handled by an independent third party. The bill appropriates $250,000 to fund training materials, infrastructure, and the independent investigator for the 2025-2027 fiscal years. These changes apply to all workplace interactions, including legislative events and business-related activities, with specific disciplinary actions ranging from warnings to expulsion for legislators.

Maddy summaryHB 484 authorizes North Carolina's African American Heritage Commission to study creating monuments and markers honoring the state's civil rights history, including sites related to the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, sit-ins, and desegregation efforts. The bill directly affects the Commission, which must hold public hearings and report findings by May 2026, and North Carolinians by commemorating local contributions to the civil rights movement. Key provisions include appropriating $500,000 for the Commission to place markers along the state's Civil Rights Trail and conducting feasibility studies on permanent monuments. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025, with funding allocated for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.