Maddy summaryHB 463 establishes a supplemental insurance plan for North Carolina first responders diagnosed with specific mental health conditions (like anxiety, depression, or PTSD) directly resulting from their job. It provides three key benefits: up to $5,000 annually for out-of-pocket mental health costs, 75% of salary or $5,000 monthly (max 12 weeks/year) for leave due to treatment, and disability benefits (75% salary or $5,000/month, max 36 months) if unable to work. Eligibility requires a job-related diagnosis, current employment as a defined first responder (including police, firefighters, EMTs, and dispatchers), and exclusion from workers' compensation benefits. The plan aims to support recovery and return to duty while limiting benefits to cover gaps not met by other sources.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 460, the Medical Equipment Right to Repair Act, requires medical device manufacturers to provide hospitals, clinics, and independent repair shops with necessary support documents, tools, and parts to maintain and repair medical imaging (like MRI and X-ray machines) and radiation therapy equipment. The law mandates that manufacturers make these resources available at no cost (except for printing/shipping fees), automatically notify owners of updates, and offer the same training to independent repairers as they provide to their own authorized service teams. It prohibits manufacturers from restricting access to security systems or using agreements to avoid these requirements, while protecting trade secrets and limiting liability for repair-related damage. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to equipment in use after that date.
Maddy summaryHB 464 requires every public school in North Carolina - including traditional, charter, regional, and laboratory schools - to have at least one full-time, permanent school nurse starting in the 2025-2026 school year. The bill appropriates $95 million from the state General Fund for the 2025-2026 school year to fund these additional nursing positions, with funds designated to supplement - not replace - existing school nurse funding. It amends multiple statutes to mandate this staffing requirement across all public school units. The law becomes effective July 1, 2025, with implementation beginning for the 2025-2026 school year.
Maddy summaryHB 95 increases penalties for threats against certain elected and public officials in North Carolina, making such threats a Class I felony. It directly affects individuals who make threats against legislative, executive, court, local elected, or election officials, requiring a $50,000 secured appearance bond for anyone charged with these offenses. The bill amends existing statutes to clarify that threats need not be received or believed by the targeted official, and it specifically covers threats made in retaliation for an official's duties. The law applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2025.
Maddy summaryHB 465 waives the renewal fee for North Carolina drivers licenses that display an "active duty military designation" or "veteran military designation." It directly affects military service members (currently serving) and veterans who have these designations on their licenses. The bill amends state law to remove the standard $5.50 annual renewal fee for these specific license holders when renewing their licenses. The fee waiver takes effect July 1, 2025, for licenses renewed on or after that date.
Maddy summaryHB 37 standardizes monthly pension benefits for North Carolina firefighters and rescue squad workers under the state pension fund. It sets a uniform $175 monthly pension for members with 20+ years of service who reach age 55, replaces the previous $180 amount, and maintains $175 for disability benefits and line-of-duty death benefits. The bill also allows members affected by city annexations or department closures to continue contributing $15 monthly until they reach 20 years of service for pension eligibility. These changes apply to current and future members of the pension fund who meet the service requirements. The bill does not alter contribution rates or eligibility for most members but adjusts benefit amounts and extends certain provisions.
Maddy summaryHB 423, the "Skip the Stuff Act," requires restaurants and third-party food delivery platforms in North Carolina to stop automatically providing single-use foodware (like utensils, napkins, and condiment packets) with orders. Instead, customers must actively request these items for take-out, delivery, or dine-in service. The bill exempts delivery-specific safety items (e.g., cup lids) and allows refillable condiment dispensers. It directly affects food establishments and delivery platforms, aiming to reduce unnecessary waste and costs associated with disposable food service items.
Maddy summaryHB 436 allows North Carolina counties to let property owners pay property assessments in semiannual or annual installments instead of one lump sum. Counties can choose between two payment schedules: either tied to annual property tax due dates or starting 60 days after assessment confirmation, with up to 10 semiannual or 20 annual payments allowed. This directly affects property owners in counties that adopt the option, providing more flexible payment timing. The bill amends existing law to give counties this authority and applies to assessments confirmed after it becomes law.
Maddy summaryHB 425 raises North Carolina's legal sales age for all tobacco products, including vaping devices and e-liquids, from 18 to 21. It directly affects retailers (who must obtain a tobacco sales permit) and youth (who are prohibited from purchasing these products). The bill requires retailers to verify purchasers' ages using accepted ID and mandates inspections of retail locations to enforce compliance, with penalties including fines up to $1,000 for violations.
Maddy summaryHB 428 directs North Carolina's Department of Public Instruction to study how increased parent involvement might reduce repeated student discipline issues. The study will examine specific approaches, such as requiring parents to attend meetings or counseling with their child after discipline incidents, and assess impacts of remote learning alternatives. It explicitly excludes students with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) or 504 plans and must be completed by April 2026. The $25,000 allocated for the study will result in a report with recommendations for potential policy changes, but the bill itself does not change current discipline practices.