Sen. Lisa Grafstein

Maddy summarySB 392 creates new criminal penalties for threatening or pressuring voters, election officials, or poll workers to influence voting choices or election participation. It makes it a felony to threaten someone for voting, voting for a specific candidate, registering to vote, or for election workers performing duties, and prohibits fraudulent challenges to voter eligibility. Employers cannot condition pay or employment on voting behavior, with violations carrying fines up to $100,000 or five years in prison. Convicted individuals must pay restitution fines that fund voter education programs, and election workers can seek civil damages for intimidation.

Maddy summarySB 437, the "Middle Class Momentum Act," increases North Carolina's standard income tax deduction for individual filers starting in 2026. It raises the standard deduction to $26,000 for married couples filing jointly (from $25,500), $19,500 for heads of household (from $19,125), and $13,000 for single filers (from $12,750). This change directly affects most North Carolina individual taxpayers who claim the standard deduction instead of itemizing deductions. The bill takes effect for taxable years beginning January 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 431 protects law enforcement officers (including criminal justice and justice officers) who report excessive force or misconduct by colleagues. It requires officers to report such incidents within 72 hours to a supervisor not involved, and prohibits retaliation like termination or discipline for making a good-faith report. The bill explicitly allows agencies to still discipline officers for misconduct that occurred *before* the report was made. It also allocates $50,000 each to two training commissions for implementing these changes, effective December 2025.

Maddy summarySB 460 creates a statewide Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) Program within North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services, directly affecting individuals diagnosed with FASD, their families, and healthcare/education providers. The program requires the department to establish a coordinator, develop screening and evidence-based interventions, and serve as a central resource for FASD support and education. It also mandates a 17-member advisory committee - comprising agency representatives, affected individuals/families, and professionals - to guide prevention efforts and coordinate existing services. The bill appropriates $2 million in recurring funds for 2025-2027 to cover program operations and committee expenses, effective July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 464 creates a new team-based care coordination service for Medicaid recipients with substance use disorders, including screening, medication treatment, recovery support, and case management. It also changes Medicaid policy to suspend coverage during incarceration (rather than terminate it), aligning with federal law to maintain access to care upon release. The bill requires the state health department to develop this service, report costs and implementation plans by October 2025, and launch a statewide education campaign for providers. This directly affects Medicaid enrollees with substance use disorders and incarcerated individuals in North Carolina.

Maddy summarySB 433 reinstates longevity pay for North Carolina educators, directly affecting teachers, instructional support staff, principals, and assistant principals in public schools. It sets specific annual payment rates based on years of state service: 1.5% for 10-14 years, 2.25% for 15-19 years, 3.25% for 20-24 years, and 4.5% for 25+ years, paid as a lump sum each year. The bill appropriates $140.3 million from the General Fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to fund these payments. It becomes effective July 1, 2025, restoring previously cut longevity benefits.

Maddy summarySB 452 raises North Carolina's minimum marriage age to 18 for all individuals, eliminating exceptions that previously allowed 16- and 17-year-olds to marry with court approval or parental consent. The bill repeals existing provisions (G.S. 51-2(a1) and G.S. 51-2.1) that permitted judicial authorization for marriages involving minors under 18, including requirements for court orders, guardian ad litem appointments, and best-interest determinations. This change directly affects minors under 18 who would have sought marriage under the previous law, removing all pathways for underage marriage except for those 18 or older. The policy shift standardizes the marriage age without exceptions, aligning North Carolina with states that prohibit marriage for individuals under 18.

Maddy summarySB 453 limits nonrefundable "due diligence" fees in home sales to 1% of the purchase price, preventing sellers from requiring higher amounts as a condition of accepting offers. Any contract clause exceeding this amount is void, and sellers who enforce it may face legal costs and attorney fees. The bill also allocates $10 million to the North Carolina Housing Coalition to fund homebuyer education programs statewide. These provisions directly affect homebuyers and sellers in residential transactions, aiming to reduce upfront financial barriers and improve buyer preparedness. The law takes effect for new offers on or after October 1, 2025, with the funding provision beginning July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 435 restores education-based salary supplements for North Carolina teachers and instructional support personnel (ISP) that were previously eliminated. It directs the State Board of Education to use the 2013 policy (TCP-A-006) to determine eligibility for the "M" salary schedule and degree-based pay increases (e.g., for master's or doctoral degrees). The bill appropriates $8 million from the General Fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to fund these reinstated supplements. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025, directly affecting eligible educators' pay through revised salary calculations.

Maddy summarySB 454, the Community Safety Act, allocates $5.5 million in state funds for North Carolina law enforcement agencies over the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It provides grants for community policing programs ($1 million), officer incentives for exemplary service or diversity efforts ($1.5 million), and additional detective funding for severe crimes ($2 million). The bill also revises use-of-force policies to ban strangleholds and neck restraints as acceptable tactics, requiring officers to use minimum force and prioritize de-escalation. Additionally, it sets a minimum hiring age of 21 for officers and allows denial of certification based on certain felony or misdemeanor convictions, regardless of expungement. These provisions directly affect all law enforcement agencies and officers in North Carolina.