Sen. Sophia Chitlik

Maddy summaryThis bill repeals a North Carolina law that currently bans public employees from collectively bargaining with their employers. By removing this prohibition, the legislation allows government workers to negotiate contracts with unions or labor organizations representing them. The act also allocates $100,000 from the state General Fund to educate public employees about these new rights starting July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThe BUMP Act directs North Carolina's Department of Health and Human Services to provide free, evidence-based education on stillbirth prevention to pregnant patients and train prenatal care providers on monitoring fetal movement and managing related risks. Funded by $400,000 in recurring state money, the bill requires educational materials in English and Spanish to be given to all pregnant women, while also offering training for medical staff on recognizing warning signs like decreased fetal movement. Additionally, the legislation allocates $200,000 to launch a statewide "Count the Kicks" public awareness campaign that prioritizes outreach in areas with higher stillbirth rates to encourage expectant parents to track fetal movements. These measures aim to improve maternal and fetal outcomes by promoting awareness of risk factors and ensuring consistent clinical responses to potential complications.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the North Carolina CROWN Act, expands state employment discrimination laws to explicitly protect individuals from discrimination based on hair texture and protective hairstyles such as braids, twists, and locks. By legally defining these hair styles as traits associated with race, the legislation ensures that employers cannot deny hiring, firing, or otherwise discriminate against people because of their natural hair. The act also strengthens anti-retaliation protections for employees who report discrimination under these new provisions. To support implementation, the bill appropriates $100,000 for the Department of Labor to educate both employers and employees about the law's requirements and rights.

Maddy summaryThis bill reenacts North Carolina's state Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) by updating the relevant law to apply for future tax years. It allows eligible low-to-moderate income individuals to receive a credit equal to 20% of their federal EITC amount, with the specific percentage varying based on the tax year. The credit is refundable, meaning taxpayers can receive a cash payment even if it exceeds their state tax liability, and the legislation includes a provision to automatically repeal the credit starting in 2014, which is overridden by the bill's effective date of January 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryThe Keep Families Fed Act directs $6 million in recurring state funding to six specific nonprofit food banks across North Carolina starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year. These funds are distributed in equal amounts to each organization to help address food insecurity by supporting their existing programs. The legislation ensures that these vital food security initiatives receive guaranteed state support regardless of future annual budget decisions.

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina bill aims to improve menopause care by funding research, expanding insurance coverage, and protecting workers from discrimination related to menopausal symptoms. It directs the state health department to evaluate current medical knowledge, collect data on symptom prevalence, and create a strategic plan to address gaps in care, particularly for underserved populations. The legislation also incentivizes doctors to receive extra continuing education credits for studying menopause and mandates that Medicaid and private health insurers cover necessary treatments like hormone therapy and behavioral health services. Additionally, the bill includes provisions to prevent employment discrimination based on menopause and allocates five million dollars to fund these initiatives and public awareness campaigns.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes a grant program in North Carolina to support community organizations focused on improving maternal health outcomes for Black women. The program provides funding ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 to eligible entities that offer evidence-based services, such as mental health support, doula care, and assistance with social needs like housing and transportation. Priority is given to organizations led by Black women and those serving communities with high rates of adverse maternal health outcomes. Recipients must also provide culturally respectful training for health workers and submit reports on how the funds are used to prevent maternal mortality and severe complications.

Maddy summaryThis bill, titled the Kids Over Corporations Act, would stop the scheduled elimination of the corporate income tax in North Carolina and instead set a permanent rate of five percent. It directly affects C corporations operating in the state by requiring them to pay this tax, while S corporations remain exempt from the levy. The law includes a temporary phase-in schedule where the tax rate starts at 2.25% in 2025 and gradually decreases to zero after 2029, though the bill's title suggests a permanent five percent rate. The legislation applies to taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2026, and aims to ensure corporations contribute to public services funded by state revenue.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes strict privacy rules for immigration data held by North Carolina state agencies, limiting when such information can be shared with law enforcement or other government entities. Under the new law, state departments may only release immigration records if the individual provides consent or if a court issues a valid order, subpoena, or warrant. Additionally, the bill requires agencies to notify individuals within three business days when their data is requested and to submit annual reports detailing all such requests to the Attorney General. To support these changes, the legislation appropriates $1.5 million starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year to fund necessary technology updates, staff training, and compliance reporting.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a new fund within the North Carolina Department of Commerce to help high-skilled immigrant workers pay for the costs of keeping their legal work status, such as visa renewal fees and legal processing expenses. To qualify for reimbursement grants, individuals must live and work in North Carolina and meet specific criteria related to their education, job type, or visa classification. The state has allocated one million dollars in recurring funds starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year to cover these grants and administrative costs. The Department of Commerce will be responsible for setting the rules for eligibility and managing the program.