Sen. Jay Chaudhuri

Maddy summarySB 512 designates "Raise Up" by North Carolina rapper Petey Pablo as the state's official hip hop song. The bill, which references the song's cultural significance and Petey Pablo's North Carolina roots, makes no policy changes but formally adopts the track through a symbolic designation. It affects no individuals or entities, as it is purely ceremonial. The legislation requires no implementation or funding, serving only as a cultural acknowledgment.

Maddy summarySB 636, the School Psychologist Omnibus, increases compensation for North Carolina school psychologists and creates programs to boost recruitment and training. It provides a $650 monthly salary supplement for all school psychologists, plus a 12% supplement for those with a nationally certified credential, funded by $8.1 million. The bill also allocates $1.7 million for grants to school districts offering up to $5,000 signing bonuses to recruit psychologists, $5 million for internship stipends, and $5 million for a virtual training program at Appalachian State University, plus $1.6 million to expand university training programs at five UNC schools. These changes, effective July 2025, directly affect school psychologists, public school districts, and university training programs to address staffing shortages.

Maddy summarySB 593, the "Grant Our Kids Care Act," allocates $30 million annually (2025-2027) for a pilot program to help licensed child care providers in North Carolina. It provides grants covering 75% of child care tuition for full-time staff (earning ≤85% of state median income) who have children under age five, with providers covering the remaining 25%. The program aims to expand licensed child care capacity by helping staff afford care for their own children, prioritizing counties with high unmet demand. It requires participating programs to create new slots without displacing existing children and mandates annual progress reports to the legislature.

Maddy summarySB 592 allocates $25 million annually from 2025-2027 to fund one-time grants for North Carolina counties and private employers to expand child care capacity. The grants cover construction, equipment, facility upgrades, and playgrounds, with recipients required to provide a 25% matching contribution. Up to 9% of the grant funds can be used for administrative costs. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025, directly supporting child care providers seeking to improve facilities and services.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires North Carolina public schools to teach age-appropriate artificial intelligence (AI) literacy from kindergarten through 12th grade starting in the 2025-2026 school year. It mandates state standards covering basic AI concepts, real-world uses, ethical issues like privacy and bias, and responsible AI use - such as preventing academic dishonesty. The standards can be integrated into existing computer science courses for middle and high school students. The bill directly affects all North Carolina public schools and their curriculum planning. It focuses on equipping students with foundational knowledge about AI systems and their societal impacts, rather than creating new programs or funding.

Maddy summarySB 643 expands North Carolina's Teaching Fellows Program by increasing funding for forgivable loans to recruit and support future teachers in high-need areas. It directly affects students pursuing teaching careers in qualifying fields (like STEM, special education, and elementary education) and North Carolina public schools facing teacher shortages, especially in rural communities. The bill establishes a Trust Fund to cover loan costs, administrative expenses, and new support services - including mentoring for teachers in low-performing schools and recruitment efforts targeting regions with the worst teacher retention. Key provisions include prioritizing funding for rural schools and requiring the program to use stricter selection criteria for applicants based on academic performance.

Maddy summarySB 647, the Child Promise Act, allocates $90.25 million to expand North Carolina's Pre-K program to 10,000 new slots by 2027, serving 4-year-olds from families earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level (FPL). It provides $6.8 million annually in grants for childcare facilities in underserved areas (where child-to-provider ratios exceed 3:1), with funding levels based on facility size (up to $500,000 for large centers) and requiring a 15% match and 5-year service commitment. The bill also funds after-school programs in high-need public schools (over 50% free/reduced lunch students) for 3 hours daily, adjusts childcare subsidies to cover up to 300% FPL for children under 5, and creates a $1,500 tax deduction per child for families earning 300-400% FPL.

Maddy summarySB 677 requires North Carolina to use state-owned property for childcare centers benefiting state employees and first responders. It mandates that new or renovated state buildings over $5 million with more than 250 workers include childcare or adult care centers, unless costs exceed 10% or delay projects by six months. The bill creates a $5 million pilot program to establish three onsite childcare centers for state employees using underutilized state property, prioritizing providers with fewer than five facilities and requiring apprenticeship partnerships with colleges. It also allocates $6 million for county grants to fund third-shift childcare for first responders in unused county buildings and directs community colleges and UNC system schools to study feasibility of onsite childcare programs by March 2026.

Maddy summarySB 678 requires North Carolina state agencies to explore using underutilized state-owned buildings for childcare centers, prioritizing state employees. It mandates that new or renovated state buildings costing over $5 million (with >250 workers) include onsite childcare or adult care centers, unless costs rise by 10% or delays exceed six months. The bill also establishes a pilot program funding three private childcare centers on unused state property, requiring contractors to partner with colleges for apprenticeship programs and covering renovation costs. It allocates $5 million for the program and sets reporting deadlines for feasibility studies and pilot outcomes. The law directly affects state employees seeking childcare, private childcare providers, and state property managers.

Maddy summarySB 667, the Government Modernization Act of 2025, requires North Carolina state agencies to upgrade outdated computer systems, enhance cybersecurity protections, and expand online public services. It mandates agencies to conduct IT assessments, implement multi-factor authentication and encryption, and create mobile-friendly portals for licenses, taxes, and business filings. The bill also directs a study on using blockchain technology to secure records, verify licenses, and improve procurement transparency. These changes aim to improve efficiency and accessibility for residents and businesses while reducing bureaucratic delays, with implementation beginning July 1, 2025.