Rep. Mary Belk

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 summaryHouse Bill 81 requires insurance institutions and agents to obtain written consent from applicants and policyholders before collecting, receiving, selling, or using vehicle telematics data. The bill mandates that individuals be notified how their telematics data will be used and that they can revoke consent at any time. Insurers must provide a reasonable means for individuals to revoke consent, which must be actioned within 24 hours. A violation of these provisions would be considered an unfair trade practice, with the act becoming effective October 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 444, the Homeowners Association Reform Bill, proposes changes to laws governing both homeowners and unit owner associations, directly affecting these organizations and their members. It stipulates that association declaration amendments only apply to owners whose properties are conveyed after the amendment takes effect. The bill also regulates managing agent contracts, limits an association's ability to enforce parking restrictions on public streets, and caps fees for lender-requested documents during property sales. Additionally, it mandates prelitigation mediation for disputes and requires the Department of Justice to collect and report on related complaints.

Maddy summaryHB 934, the "Artificial Intelligence Regulatory Reform Act," establishes new regulations related to artificial intelligence and deepfakes. The bill creates a new criminal offense for the unlawful creation or distribution of "deepfakes" - images or videos created to deceive - without consent, when done to cause harm or influence an election. It also grants civil liability immunity to developers of artificial intelligence products when a "learned professional" uses their product to provide services. Under this provision, the learned professional would be solely responsible for any damages to their client resulting from errors generated by the AI product. This legislation affects individuals who create or distribute deepfakes, as well as AI product developers, licensed professionals, and their clients.

Maddy summaryHB 976 enacts the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act, establishing specific procedures for dividing or selling real property commonly owned by relatives, referred to as "heirs property." This bill affects cotenants involved in partition proceedings for such property. It requires courts to first determine if the property qualifies as heirs property and then mandates a fair market value appraisal. A key provision allows cotenants who wish to retain the property to buy out the interests of those who requested a sale, based on the determined value.

Maddy summaryHB 866 requires courts to issue an "automatic order" when a claim for equitable distribution is filed by divorcing spouses. This order immediately prohibits both parties from selling, transferring, or hiding assets, incurring new unreasonable debts, or changing beneficiaries on insurance policies without mutual consent or a court order. It aims to preserve marital and children's assets and existing insurance coverage until a final division of property is determined. The Administrative Office of the Courts will develop a standard form for this automatic order.

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 140 authorizes the addition of the Gullah Geechee Greenway/Blueway Heritage Trail to North Carolina's State Trails System. This bill adds a 21-mile multiuse trail in Brunswick County, designed for pedestrian and bicycle use, which connects various historical sites significant to Gullah Geechee culture. It directs the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources to support and promote the trail's establishment and allows the State to acquire necessary land through donations or existing funds, waiving the usual appropriation requirement for new additions.

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.