Sen. Natalie Murdock

Maddy summarySB 553, titled "Save More Tatas Act," requires health insurance plans in North Carolina to cover diagnostic breast cancer imaging (such as ultrasounds and MRIs) with the same cost-sharing (like copays and deductibles) as routine mammograms, directly affecting women needing these services. It updates mammogram coverage rules to include annual screenings for high-risk individuals (e.g., those with a family history of breast cancer or dense breast tissue) and mandates that facilities meet accreditation standards. The bill also appropriates $3.6 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to support mammography services in rural areas and for the State Health Plan. This legislation aims to improve access to breast cancer diagnostic care without increasing patient out-of-pocket costs.

Maddy summarySB 612 requires all new school buses purchased by North Carolina school districts to be electric starting in the 2026-2027 school year, with the goal of converting the entire school bus fleet to electric by the end of the 2049-2050 school year. It also creates a grant program to help small counties purchase electric "activity buses" (used for field trips and events) by covering up to 50% of the cost. The bill appropriates $350 million for general school bus conversions and $50 million specifically for the activity bus grant program, beginning in 2026-2027. This directly affects all school districts, with additional financial support targeted at smaller counties eligible for supplemental funding.

Maddy summarySB 538, the Family Empowerment Act, expands child care assistance to families earning up to 300% of the federal poverty level, prioritizing single parents and workers in nontraditional hours. It creates tax credits for businesses offering paid parental leave (up to $2,500 per employee) and grants for small businesses to offset leave costs, while establishing state-funded financial counseling and home-visiting programs for low-income families. The bill requires child care costs to not exceed 7% of family income and mandates flexible work policies for employers, with "Family-Friendly Workplace" certification. Funded by $75 million annually from 2025-2027, it targets working families, employers, and child care providers across North Carolina.

Maddy summarySB 596 appropriates $169 million from the State Capital and Infrastructure Fund to North Carolina Central University for critical campus repairs. The funds are allocated as $100 million for HVAC, fire safety, and building code upgrades; $9 million for roof and structural repairs; and $60 million for replacing aging electrical, water, and steam infrastructure. These repairs directly address immediate safety risks and system failures affecting the university's campus operations and facilities. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025, with funding designated for the 2025-2026 fiscal year.

Maddy summarySB 536, the Birth Freedom Act, requires all health insurance plans in North Carolina to cover maternity care at home or birthing centers on the same terms as hospital births. It mandates that Medicaid beneficiaries also receive full coverage for these options starting July 2025, with providers reimbursed at 90% of standard hospital rates for similar care. The bill allocates $150,000 to expand access to birthing center care under the State Health Plan for public employees, including potential subsidies for beneficiaries. These changes directly affect health insurers, Medicaid, birthing centers, and individuals seeking non-hospital maternity options.

Maddy summarySB 607, the North Carolina Equal Pay Act, prohibits employers from paying employees differently based on gender for work requiring similar skill, effort, and responsibility under comparable conditions. It defines "comparable work" broadly (excluding job titles alone) and allows pay differences only for factors like seniority, merit, geographic location, or job-related education/experience. The bill also bans employers from asking about salary history before making a job offer, protects employees who discuss pay or file complaints from retaliation, and requires employers to post notices about these rights. The law takes effect January 1, 2026, and would allow employees to seek back pay for violations.

Maddy summarySB 546 establishes a statewide Clean Energy Workforce Development Program under North Carolina's Department of Commerce to build a skilled workforce for nuclear energy, specifically targeting small modular reactors. It provides grants to colleges for training programs in energy sector skilled trades (like welding, grid integration, and reactor maintenance), subsidizes employer-paid apprenticeships (prioritizing economically disadvantaged students), and offers scholarships for relevant degrees - including for workers displaced by coal plant closures. The bill requires prioritizing funding for communities affected by fossil fuel plant closures, economically distressed areas, and underrepresented groups in the energy sector. It directly affects North Carolina residents seeking clean energy careers, community colleges, and nuclear industry employers through concrete training and financial support mechanisms.

Maddy summarySB 480 establishes North Carolina's first state-run paid family leave program, effective January 1, 2026. It provides eligible workers - such as employees meeting wage criteria or self-employed individuals who opt in - with up to 26 weeks of paid leave per year to care for a newborn, adoptive child, or family member with a serious health condition, or for military family leave needs. Benefits are capped at 12 weeks for most family-related reasons (like newborn care), 18 weeks for personal serious health conditions, and 26 weeks for military family leave. The program is funded through employee payroll contributions and administered by the Division of Employment Security, with specific eligibility requirements defined in the bill.

Maddy summarySB 571 (MOMnibus 3.0) establishes a North Carolina grant program to address racial disparities in maternal health outcomes, specifically targeting Black women. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to award competitive grants (between $10,000 and $50,000) to community-based organizations serving Black women in areas with high maternal health disparities. Grants prioritize organizations led by Black women that provide evidence-based services, including culturally respectful care, mental health support, assistance with social determinants like housing and transportation, and doula support. The program mandates technical assistance for grantees and annual reports to the legislature on funding and outcomes. This bill directly affects Black women in North Carolina and community health organizations providing maternal care services.

Maddy summarySB 529, the Second Chance Success Act, eliminates the ability to extend probation solely due to failure to pay a $40 monthly supervision fee. It directly affects individuals on supervised probation in North Carolina who might have faced extended probation terms for nonpayment. The bill modifies probation rules to state that a probation term cannot be extended if nonpayment of the fee is the only reason, though the fee itself remains required (with court exemptions possible for good cause). Fees collected still go to the county clerk and then the state's General Fund, but probation officers can no longer use nonpayment as grounds for extending probation.