Rep. Julia Howard

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 515, the North Carolina Economic Abuse Prevention Act, creates a new legal framework to protect survivors of domestic violence and children in foster care from "coerced debt." It defines coerced debt as debt incurred through duress, intimidation, or undue influence and provides pathways for individuals to notify creditors of such debt using specific documentation. Upon receiving adequate documentation, creditors must pause collection efforts while reviewing the claim. The bill also establishes that a person who causes another to incur coerced debt is civilly liable to the claimant for the debt amount, attorney's fees, and costs.

Maddy summaryJesse's Law (HB 896) mandates specific training for professional personnel involved in child custody proceedings in North Carolina. It requires judges, magistrates, judicial officers, and court personnel, including guardian ad litems and mediators, to complete trauma-informed and culturally appropriate training. This training focuses on the dynamics, signs, and impact of domestic violence and child abuse, including child sexual abuse. Professionals must complete an initial 20 hours of training and 15 hours every five years, based on evidence-based research. The bill aims to improve the ability of these individuals to recognize and respond to abuse and trauma when making child custody decisions.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new State Infrastructure Bank Board in North Carolina to manage federal, state, and private funding for transportation, water, and sewer infrastructure projects. The Board will be composed of six state officials including the Secretaries of Commerce, Transportation, and Environmental Quality, along with the State Treasurer, Auditor, and Budget Officer, and will operate independently within the Department of Commerce. It authorizes the Board to provide loans and financial assistance to local governments and toll authorities for infrastructure development, requiring repayment with interest and security based on project revenues or other assets. The legislation also establishes specific accounting procedures for the bank's funds, outlines rules for loan approval, and transfers existing infrastructure bank funds to this new Board, with an effective date of July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 297, titled "Breast Cancer Prevention Imaging Parity," aims to ensure equal health insurance coverage for different types of breast cancer imaging. The bill mandates that health benefit plans apply the same cost-sharing requirements (like deductibles and copayments) for diagnostic and supplemental breast examinations, such as MRIs and ultrasounds, as they do for routine screening mammograms. This ensures individuals needing these additional medically necessary tests do not face higher out-of-pocket costs compared to standard screenings. It also maintains existing coverage for cervical cancer screenings and includes provisions for high-deductible health plans.

Maddy summaryHB 891, the "Government Agency Forum Selection Act," requires the State of North Carolina and its local political subdivisions to primarily file civil actions in state courts when concurrent jurisdiction exists with federal courts. It prohibits these entities from seeking to move lawsuits from state to federal court if they are defendants. The bill also amends the law concerning the Attorney General, stating they shall not advance arguments in any litigation that would invalidate a statute enacted by the North Carolina General Assembly. This legislation aims to define the appropriate court forums for state and local government civil actions and limit the scope of the Attorney General's participation in certain out-of-state litigation.

Maddy summaryHB 97 adds stomach cancer (gastric cancer) to the list of occupationally related cancers that qualify firefighters for "killed in the line of duty" benefits under North Carolina's Public Safety Employees' Death Benefits Act. This means firefighters who die from stomach cancer directly linked to their firefighting duties will automatically be eligible for death benefits, easing the process for families seeking compensation. The bill appropriates $500,000 annually from 2025-2027 to cover these benefits. It takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to qualifying deaths occurring on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 797, titled "Residential Property Wholesaling Protection," clarifies that residential property wholesaling and related transactions are considered real estate brokerage activity, requiring those involved to be licensed. The bill grants homeowners a non-waivable right to cancel purchase contracts related to residential property wholesaling until midnight of the 30th day after execution or until deed conveyance. It also mandates that these contracts include specific disclosures about this cancellation right, printed in at least 14-point font. Failure to provide this right to cancel is deemed an unfair or deceptive trade practice.

Maddy summaryHB 512 creates an exemption to the practice of veterinary medicine for emergency medical services (EMS) personnel. This allows EMS personnel, excluding dispatchers, to provide emergency medical transport and services to injured K-9 police animals or certified search and rescue dogs at an emergency scene. The bill also grants limited immunity from prosecution for EMS personnel who act in good faith when providing such care. However, this immunity does not extend to gross negligence, wanton conduct, or intentional wrongdoing.

Maddy summaryHouse Bill 146 amends North Carolina's driver's license renewal process. It allows active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces, or reserve components serving on active duty and stationed outside North Carolina, to renew their driver's licenses remotely multiple times in a row. Currently, a remote renewal requires the previous renewal to have been done in person, but this bill removes that restriction for eligible military personnel. This change aims to make it easier for these individuals to maintain their licenses while serving away from the state. The act becomes effective October 1, 2025, applying to licenses renewed on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 254 designates the fourth Thursday of March each year as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day in North Carolina. This officially recognizes and honors the legacy of the African-American pilots, navigators, bombardiers, instructors, and support staff who trained at Tuskegee Institute from 1941 to 1949.