Sen. Natalie Murdock

Maddy summarySB 646 prohibits individuals convicted of specific January 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection-related offenses (including federal charges under 18 U.S.C. § 1752 or 40 U.S.C. § 5104) or found to have engaged in "infamous or disgraceful conduct" related to disrupting democratic processes from working in North Carolina state government, including universities and community colleges. The bill applies to all state employees and contractors hired on or after July 1, 2025, with due process protections requiring written notice, evidence disclosure, and a hearing opportunity before denial or termination. It directly affects individuals with convictions or findings related to the Capitol events, excluding pardoned individuals and requiring clear evidence for "infamous conduct" determinations. The law becomes effective July 1, 2025, for all new and existing employment decisions.

Maddy summarySB 663, the "End Menstrual Poverty Act," allocates $350,000 in one-time state funds to expand access to feminine hygiene products through North Carolina’s diaper banks and $1 million annually to fund a school-based grant program for feminine hygiene products. It directly affects low-income individuals and students who rely on diaper banks and school programs for essential hygiene items. The bill increases funding for existing distribution networks (diaper banks) and creates a recurring school grant program under state law. This provides concrete policy changes by boosting product availability in community and educational settings without altering eligibility or creating new requirements. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 662 updates North Carolina's domestic violence protective order law to explicitly include same-sex couples in dating relationships. It amends the definition of "personal relationship" by removing the requirement that dating partners be of opposite sex, ensuring same-sex couples who are romantically involved can seek protective orders under the same criteria as opposite-sex couples. The bill changes Section 50B-1(b)(6) of the statute to clarify that a dating relationship is defined by ongoing romantic involvement, not gender. This policy change applies to protective orders issued on or after the bill's effective date.

Maddy summarySB 661 directs North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to study health issues affecting military women, particularly during pregnancy and postpartum. The study will examine coordinating maternity care between military and civilian facilities, improving access to housing and job resources, addressing mental health risks, expanding childbirth support services, and reducing racial disparities in maternal health outcomes. DHHS must consult with military veterans affairs and gather input from currently or formerly serving military mothers. The bill appropriates $100,000 for this study and requires a final report to legislative committees by April 2026. This bill does not enact new programs but mandates a review to inform future policy.

Maddy summarySB 680 creates the North Carolina Child Care Finance Agency to address the state's childcare shortage through targeted financing. The agency will provide loans and bonds for constructing or renovating childcare facilities, prioritizing small providers (under 10 facilities), high-quality licensed centers, and projects in high-need areas. It specifically supports faith-based organizations, businesses offering on-site childcare for employees, and encourages full-day care and workforce development partnerships. The bill directly affects childcare providers, employers, and families by expanding affordable, accessible childcare options across North Carolina.

Maddy summarySB 686, "The Fair Sentencing Act," reduces mandatory minimum jail terms for impaired driving offenses in North Carolina. It lowers the minimum imprisonment for Level One offenses from 30 days to as little as 10 days if alcohol monitoring is required, and eliminates mandatory minimums for less severe cases (Level Three and Four). The bill requires courts to impose substance abuse assessments and treatment as a probation condition, and allows defendants to avoid jail time by using continuous alcohol monitoring systems for 90-120 days instead. This directly affects individuals convicted of impaired driving, particularly those facing lower-level charges. The law modifies sentencing guidelines under Chapter 20 of North Carolina's General Statutes.

Maddy summarySB 708, the "Working Families Act," directly affects low- and middle-income North Carolina families by reducing child care costs, increasing tax credits, raising wages, and providing housing assistance. It cuts parent copayments for subsidized child care to 7% of gross income (down from 10%), reenacts a refundable child tax credit with income-based payments up to $250 per child, and raises the statewide minimum wage to $15 per hour starting September 1, 2025 - while allowing cities to set higher local rates. The bill also increases income limits for property tax relief and creates a homebuyers' program offering assistance to first-time public servant homebuyers (including teachers, firefighters, police, and EMTs). These changes aim to reduce living costs and support working families through concrete financial adjustments.

Maddy summarySB 704, the "Ronnie Long No Cap Act," removes the $750,000 cap on compensation for exonerees in North Carolina, replacing it with $50,000 per year of wrongful imprisonment. It also requires the state to seek federal approval for Medicaid coverage without income or asset limits for exonerees and mandates the Department of Adult Correction to provide tailored transition services (including housing and employment support) with a $25,000 per person spending limit. The bill directly affects individuals exonerated after wrongful convictions, such as Ronnie Long (44 years incarcerated), by expanding financial compensation, healthcare access, and reintegration support. These provisions apply to exonerees released after the bill's effective date, with compensation retroactive for living individuals.

Maddy summarySB 714 prohibits corporal punishment (physical punishment) in all North Carolina public schools, making it the first statewide statutory ban despite no current school districts using it. The bill requires schools to report detailed data on any corporal punishment administered - including student race, gender, disability status, and reasons - to the State Board of Education annually. It also mandates parental notification and written explanations for any rare instances where it might still occur, while clarifying that physical restraint under federal law and reasonable force are excluded. The law applies starting the 2025-2026 school year and aligns with existing practices where all 115 school districts already prohibit the practice.

Maddy summarySB 731 amends North Carolina law to clarify how counties can establish and manage two types of special districts: Research and Production Service Districts (for research parks) and Urban Research Service Districts (URSDs). It requires counties creating these districts to form advisory committees with at least 10 members, including a developer representative, and allows developers to act as agents for providing services like utilities or infrastructure within the district. The bill also streamlines multi-county district creation and annexation procedures, ensuring districts can be formed even if portions don’t individually meet standards. These changes directly affect counties, developers of research parks, and property owners/tenants within designated districts.