Rep. Mary Belk

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 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.

Maddy summaryHB 534 appropriates $700,000 from North Carolina's General Fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to establish sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE) training programs at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College and Wake Technical Community College. Each college receives $350,000 to hire a full-time faculty member ($105,000), a clinical coordinator ($105,000), purchase equipment/supplies ($45,000), and cover program development and accreditation costs ($95,000). The bill directly affects these two community colleges and future healthcare professionals seeking SANE certification. It creates a concrete funding mechanism to expand training capacity for nurses specializing in sexual assault victim care.

Maddy summaryHB 541 allows North Carolina political parties to optionally use a "top-two, same-day runoff" system in certain primaries where no candidate receives 30% of the vote. Under this system, voters rank up to three candidates; if no candidate hits 30%, the top two advance, and ballots for eliminated candidates are redistributed based on second and third preferences to determine the winner - all on the primary election day. The bill applies to primaries for state and federal offices (including U.S. Senate, House, state legislature, and judicial seats), but excludes presidential primaries. This change aims to reduce the need for separate runoff elections while ensuring nominees have broader support.

Maddy summaryHB 514 defines the scope of practice for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in North Carolina, including nurse practitioners (NPs), certified nurse midwives (CNMs), certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs). The bill explicitly outlines the specific responsibilities for each role - such as CNMs managing reproductive health care, NPs diagnosing and treating illnesses, and CRNAs administering anesthesia - removing ambiguity in current law. It directly affects over 20,000 APRNs in North Carolina who currently face restrictions due to undefined practice parameters. The legislation aims to align North Carolina with 36 other states that have clarified APRN authority without compromising patient safety, as supported by research cited in the bill. This statutory definition is intended to improve healthcare access and reduce costs by enabling APRNs to practice to the full extent of their training.

Maddy summaryHB 501 amends North Carolina law to ensure domestic violence protective orders cover same-sex couples in dating relationships. It removes the requirement that dating relationships must involve "opposite-sex" partners, explicitly including same-sex couples under the definition of "dating relationship" in protective order law. This change directly affects same-sex partners who experience domestic violence and seek protection through the dating relationship provision. The bill takes effect for orders issued after it becomes law, making the legal standard for dating relationships gender-neutral.

Maddy summaryHB 503, the "Don't Tread on Me Act," proposes new protections for North Carolinians by restricting government overreach in privacy, healthcare, education, and employment. It prohibits state agencies from conducting warrantless surveillance, demanding private medical or political information for services, denying reproductive care based on ideology, interfering with parental decisions without due process, or censoring fact-based education. The bill also bans discrimination in employment, housing, or public services based on private beliefs, medical history, or lawful conduct. Currently in early legislative stages (filed March 24, passed 1st reading March 26), it would take effect if enacted.