Rep. Heather Rhyne

Maddy summaryThis bill requires North Carolina's Commission for Public Health to wait at least three years after a vaccine receives U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval before adding it to the state's childhood immunization schedule. It allows exceptions only if both the North Carolina Medical Society and North Carolina Pediatric Society recommend adding a vaccine approved for less than three years. The law directly affects the Commission's authority to update vaccination requirements for school-aged children and the medical societies' role in advising on shorter-approved vaccines. It does not change existing vaccination requirements or exemptions for medical reasons.

Maddy summaryHB 791, the Women's Safety and Protection Act, defines "biological sex" (based on physical characteristics at birth) and "gender" in North Carolina law and mandates that single/multiple occupancy restrooms, changing facilities, and sleeping quarters in state-funded facilities (including public schools, prisons, domestic violence centers, and juvenile facilities) be designated for use by one biological sex at a time. The bill requires facilities to have policies ensuring only one biological sex uses these spaces simultaneously, with exceptions for family use, maintenance, medical emergencies, or safety threats. It specifically prohibits students from sharing sleeping quarters with individuals of another biological sex in public schools unless family members or with parental permission. The law applies to all covered facilities receiving state funds, including public schools and domestic violence centers, and subjects its provisions to "intermediate scrutiny" under constitutional review.

Maddy summaryHB 774 ("School Breakfast for All") mandates that all North Carolina public schools (pre-K through 12) provide free breakfast to every student, eliminating costs for families. It establishes a Farm-to-Table Initiative requiring schools to partner with local farmers for fresh, locally sourced ingredients in breakfast meals. The bill allocates $39 million in recurring state funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to cover program costs, while requiring annual reports on participation rates, costs, and impacts on student health and academic performance. This directly affects all public school students, school districts, and North Carolina agricultural producers.

Maddy summaryHB 785 requires North Carolina's Department of Public Instruction to study how local school districts can better use existing education funding by combining or transferring budget categories (like classroom materials or staff costs). The study will identify where more flexibility could help schools meet student and staff needs, with a report due to lawmakers by April 2026. The state will provide $50,000 in one-time funding for this research during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. This bill does not change current funding rules but sets up a review process to potentially recommend future adjustments.

Maddy summaryHB 780 appropriates $2 million to expand the All Pro Dad program in North Carolina through Family First, Inc., funding school-based chapters, father-child engagement events, and parenting resources. It also creates the "Responsible Fatherhood NC" program under the Department of Health and Human Services, requiring a nonprofit manager to run a statewide media campaign, provide father-focused resources, and promote existing fatherhood initiatives. The bill directs grants to community organizations addressing fathers' needs - such as employment, child support, and parenting skills - with priority given to areas facing high unemployment, incarceration, or single-parent households. The program directly supports North Carolina fathers and their children, aiming to improve family well-being through increased paternal involvement.

Maddy summaryHB 382 allows North Carolina's Wildlife Resources Commission to issue elk hunting permits through a raffle and an auction for the 2026 season. Residents can enter a $20-per-ticket raffle (max 30 tickets for $500), while a nonprofit focused on elk conservation must conduct an auction where the nonprofit keeps ≤25% of proceeds, with all other funds going to elk conservation. Permits are nontransferable, and the Commission must reserve 50% of raffle permits for North Carolina residents in future seasons. All revenue supplements existing elk management funding, and the Commission must report annually on program effectiveness to legislative committees.

Maddy summaryHB 744 establishes a three-year fertility preservation pilot program (2025-2032) using $2.25 million annually to help cancer patients who face financial barriers to fertility treatments. It directly affects individuals diagnosed with cancer or undergoing cancer treatment who are uninsured, have limited insurance coverage for fertility services, or would pay over $1,000 out-of-pocket, including those with household incomes below 300% of the federal poverty level. The program covers up to $12,000 for egg preservation/storage (women), $1,500 for sperm preservation (men), and $26,000 for IVF/IUI procedures, administered by three designated North Carolina medical centers. Grantees must report annually on services provided and program effectiveness, with funds expiring June 30, 2032.

Maddy summaryHB 611 requires North Carolina public schools to increase full-time assistant principal positions based on student enrollment, directly affecting all local school districts. It mandates funding to achieve specific student-to-assistant-principal ratios: 1:90 students in the 2025-2026 school year ($23.56 million) and 1:80 students starting in 2026-2027 ($57.57 million), with funds supplementing but not replacing existing budgets. The bill, effective July 2025, directs the Department of Public Instruction to allocate these funds through the school building administration allotment. This policy change aims to support school operations and develop future principals by expanding administrative staffing.

Maddy summaryHB 571 appropriates $500,000 from the state General Fund to the Department of Public Safety for a grant program treating police officers diagnosed with PTSD. It directly affects North Carolina police officers who have received a clinical PTSD diagnosis. The key provision establishes a state-funded grant program to cover treatment costs, with funds allocated for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The program becomes effective July 1, 2025, and focuses solely on providing financial support for treatment, not on expanding eligibility or altering diagnosis standards.

Maddy summaryHR 563 adopts the permanent rules for the North Carolina House of Representatives during the 2025 Regular Session. These rules establish procedural guidelines including session hours (e.g., no Friday sessions in January and February, adjournment by 10:00 PM on Mondays and 9:00 PM on other days), quorum requirements, and the order of business for legislative proceedings.