Maddy summarySB 516, the Women's Safety and Protection Act, requires single biological sex use in restrooms, changing facilities, and sleeping quarters within covered facilities like public schools, prisons, domestic violence centers, and juvenile detention centers. It defines "biological sex" based on reproductive anatomy and mandates that facilities designated for one biological sex must be used exclusively by that sex, with exceptions for maintenance, medical emergencies, law enforcement, or natural disasters. The law applies to all state-funded facilities and includes specific rules for public schools regarding student sleeping arrangements during school activities. It explicitly states that facilities may not be used by individuals of a different biological sex unless covered by the listed exceptions.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 665 streamlines permitting for upland basins (marinas built on elevated land, not open water, that accommodate 10+ vessels) by requiring state agencies to approve applications within 60 days unless specific compliance issues are identified. Projects must meet strict water quality standards (including pre-development dissolved oxygen levels), limit wetland impacts to 5% of basin area, include 30-foot vegetated buffers, and provide bonds covering five years of maintenance costs. This law directly affects developers of these facilities by creating clear environmental requirements and faster approval timelines while aiming to protect coastal resources. The bill establishes measurable standards for development, avoiding vague environmental claims through specific, enforceable criteria.
Maddy summarySB 471 is a definitional bill that clarifies terms for future pari-mutuel wagering regulations in North Carolina, rather than implementing new policy. It establishes definitions for key concepts like "advance deposit account wagering" (ADW), "legacy track" (a horse track operating for at least 10 years with specific racing requirements), and "geofencing" technology to verify bettors' locations. The bill does not authorize new wagering types or change existing laws; it merely prepares terminology for potential future rules. It directly affects future licensees (e.g., legacy tracks, ADW platforms) and bettors by defining how they will be regulated. This is a procedural step, not a substantive policy change.
Maddy summarySB 469 creates a new legal claim allowing North Carolina citizens to sue public entities (like local governments or state agencies) that knowingly fail to follow state laws. It establishes a "qui tam" process where private citizens can file lawsuits on behalf of the state, requiring them to share evidence with the Attorney General and keeping cases sealed for 120 days while the state decides whether to take over the case. Public entities found violating the law face civil penalties of $5,500-$11,000 per violation, with recovered funds partially retained by the Attorney General to cover investigation costs. The law explicitly overrides typical government immunity for these claims and gives the state primary control over enforcement while allowing citizens to pursue cases if the state declines to act.
Maddy summarySB 444 updates North Carolina's Controlled Substances Act by adding specific synthetic drugs to the state's list of prohibited substances. The bill directly affects individuals possessing or distributing the newly listed compounds, including synthetic opioids like AP-237 derivatives, fentanyl analogs (e.g., 4-fluorofentanyl), nitazene derivatives, bromazolam, substituted cathinones, and synthetic cannabinoids (e.g., indole carboxamides). Key provisions explicitly list chemical structures and their salts, isomers, and derivatives to cover emerging substances designed to evade existing laws. This is a procedural update to the schedule, not a new enforcement mechanism. The bill aims to close loopholes by broadly defining prohibited chemical classes.
Maddy summarySB 415 requires all medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals (like radiographers, sonographers, and radiation therapists) to hold a state license before performing procedures on patients. It mandates that these professionals complete approved education and pass examinations to demonstrate competence, directly affecting healthcare facilities that employ them and the professionals themselves. The bill establishes a new "Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Board of Examiners" to oversee licensing, replacing voluntary certification with a standardized state requirement. Facilities must ensure staff are licensed, and unlicensed individuals cannot perform these procedures or imply they are qualified. This aims to enhance patient safety by ensuring only trained personnel handle imaging equipment and radiation therapy.
Maddy summarySB 388 establishes strict time limits for North Carolina's Department of Transportation (DOT) to review certain permits, including driveway, encroachment, and subdivision permits. It requires the DOT to notify applicants within 10 business days whether an application is complete or incomplete, and if complete, to issue or deny the permit within 30 calendar days. If the DOT misses these deadlines, the permit is automatically approved. This directly affects property owners, contractors, and developers applying for these specific transportation-related permits. The bill aims to streamline the process by creating clear, enforceable timelines.
Maddy summarySB 470, "End Block Scheduling," limits each class period in North Carolina public schools to no more than 50 minutes of instructional time per day, directly affecting all K-12 public schools and their scheduling practices. The bill requires school calendars to include this 50-minute maximum per class and mandates annual reporting of school start/release times and compliant class schedules to the State Board of Education. It applies beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, replacing current scheduling flexibility that allows longer class periods. The law aims to standardize daily instructional timing across all public schools.
Maddy summarySB 414 allows licensed pharmacists (specifically clinical pharmacist practitioners) to test for and treat certain conditions like influenza, COVID-19, and strep throat using FDA-approved CLIA-waived tests, without requiring a physician referral. It mandates that health insurers cover these pharmacist-provided services at the same level as services from other healthcare providers, if performed within the pharmacist’s scope of practice. The bill prohibits pharmacists from treating conditions with controlled substances (Schedules I-IV) and requires statewide protocols for implementation by October 1, 2025. This directly affects pharmacists, patients seeking these specific services, and health insurers across North Carolina.
Maddy summarySB 376 increases funding for North Carolina's State Auditor's Office to enhance oversight of state government finances. The bill allocates $95,000 one-time for recruitment, $3 million for audit infrastructure, and $1 million for office space in 2025-2026, plus $6.7 million annually for 70 new staff, $500,000 for salary increases, and $5 million yearly for technology upgrades. These funds aim to expand audit capacity, improve fraud detection, and modernize systems for better accountability of taxpayer funds. The State Auditor must report on fund usage, including audit results and efficiency gains, by December 2025.