Rep. Pricey Harrison

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 275 increases penalties for drivers who fail to yield the right-of-way to blind or partially blind pedestrians using a white cane (white or red-tipped) or a guide dog. It requires drivers to come to a full stop, leave a clear path, and remain stopped until the pedestrian has crossed at both uncontrolled intersections and signal-controlled crossings where the pedestrian is already moving when lights change. This bill directly affects drivers operating vehicles in North Carolina and blind/partially blind pedestrians using visible signals. The penalty for violating this law becomes a Class 2 misdemeanor, effective December 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 521 would require most North Carolina employers to provide earned paid sick leave to workers. It mandates that employees accrue one hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, with limits of 32 hours per year for small businesses (10 or fewer employees) and 56 hours for larger employers. The leave covers the employee's own health needs, care for immediate family members, or situations related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Exemptions include volunteers, certain exempt employees under wage laws, and domestic workers employed in a private residence. The bill directly affects over 1.6 million private-sector workers in North Carolina, particularly low-wage and high-contact industry workers who currently lack access to paid sick days.

Maddy summaryHB 522 prohibits crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) in North Carolina from falsely advertising that they provide abortion or emergency contraceptive services when they do not. It defines this as a deceptive practice, requiring CPCs to clearly disclose staff qualifications and service offerings (like abortion care) on-site or via corrective advertising. The bill establishes a complaint process for the Attorney General to enforce violations, with civil penalties up to $5,000 per violation, and mandates a state health department evaluation of CPCs’ impact on reproductive healthcare access by 2026. This directly affects CPCs operating in the state, particularly those receiving public funds and targeting marginalized communities.

Maddy summaryHB 525 reorganizes North Carolina's Advisory Council on Rare Diseases by moving it from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and appropriates funds to cover its operating costs. The council, composed of 19 diverse members including patients, caregivers, medical professionals, researchers, and industry representatives, directly serves the rare disease community by advising state leaders on research, treatment, and policy. Key provisions include requiring the council to coordinate statewide efforts on rare disease awareness, incidence tracking, and policy initiatives, and to submit annual reports to the Governor, DHHS, and legislative committees. This bill formalizes DHHS oversight of the council and ensures dedicated funding for its operations, streamlining coordination with state health programs.

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.