Sen. Sophia Chitlik

Maddy summaryThis bill directs the North Carolina Department of Administration to create a comprehensive system for managing, cataloging, and disposing of vacant state-owned property. It requires the department to maintain detailed databases of all state buildings and land, including information on occupancy, condition, operating costs, and potential liability. Additionally, the legislation mandates the development of a five-year strategic plan to maximize facility use and reduce costs, along with specific rules to identify and sell surplus properties that no longer serve state missions. These changes primarily affect state agencies by establishing clearer procedures for space allocation and the removal of unused assets from the state portfolio.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends North Carolina law to allow same-sex couples to obtain domestic violence protective orders by removing gender restrictions from the definition of a dating relationship. It updates the legal definition of a personal relationship to include partners of any gender who are romantically involved, rather than limiting protection to opposite-sex couples. Additionally, the legislation allocates $500,000 in state funds to run a public awareness campaign focused on domestic violence prevention within same-sex relationships. The changes apply to all protection orders issued after the law takes effect.

Maddy summaryThis bill creates a $50 million grant program to help North Carolina public schools hire mental health professionals like counselors and social workers, with funding prioritized for schools serving students with limited access to care. It also establishes a loan repayment program that offers eligible school mental health workers up to $15,000 annually to pay down their student loans, provided they work in high-need areas and graduated from a UNC system institution. The legislation requires the state to report annually on how these funds are used and to ensure grants supplement rather than replace existing resources.

Maddy summarySB 820, the Safe Schools and Educational Access Act, aims to protect students in North Carolina public schools and colleges from discrimination based on their immigration status or national origin. The bill prohibits schools from denying enrollment or sharing student information with immigration authorities unless a judge orders it, effectively designating schools as safe zones for learning. Additionally, the legislation allocates $181 million in state funding to support services for students with limited English proficiency, such as hiring bilingual teachers and providing translation resources.

Maddy summaryThis North Carolina legislation expands the state's hate crime laws to cover additional protected characteristics, including gender identity, gender expression, and sexual orientation. It increases criminal penalties for offenses motivated by bias and allows victims or their families to file civil lawsuits for damages such as emotional distress. The bill also requires the state to create a hate crimes statistics database and mandates specialized training for law enforcement officers and prosecutors. Finally, it gives courts the option to order convicted offenders to participate in restorative justice sessions with victims at the defendant's cost.

Maddy summarySB 804, known as the Fair Maps Act, proposes to amend the North Carolina Constitution to create an independent Citizens Redistricting Commission that would draw electoral maps for state and federal offices. This bill removes the General Assembly and the Governor from the redistricting process, requiring them to establish the commission but prohibiting them from participating in the actual map-drawing. The commission must follow specific rules, such as ensuring districts have equal populations, remain contiguous, avoid splitting counties, and respect communities of interest without favoring political parties. Because this change alters the state constitution, the bill includes a provision to place the amendment on the ballot for voter approval at the November 2026 general election.

Maddy summarySB 124 aims to make North Carolina state government hiring more accessible by reducing unnecessary barriers. It requires the State Human Resources Commission to review job requirements starting October 2025, removing mandatory four-year degree requirements where practical experience (like military service or trade school) is sufficient. The bill also modernizes the application process by allowing resume uploads to auto-fill forms and simplifies job postings to limit additional qualifications to five, ensuring applicants clearly see basic requirements. These changes apply to all state agencies hiring staff, directly affecting job seekers and hiring managers across North Carolina's government workforce.

Maddy summarySB 89 requires all public schools and certain nonpublic schools in North Carolina to install automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) and provide training to staff on their use and on CPR. The State Board of Education will adopt rules for public schools, which include placing at least two AEDs per school, with one in an athletic facility, and implementing staff training. Local school boards, charter schools, and other public school entities must then develop policies in line with these state rules. The bill appropriates $4,000 per school to assist with the purchase and installation of AEDs and staff training.

Maddy summarySB 550, the Coaches Care Act, requires all middle and high school coaches and athletic directors in North Carolina to complete approved youth mental health first aid training by July 1, 2026. The training teaches coaches to recognize mental health challenges, assist youth experiencing them, and connect them to professional resources. Schools must maintain records of coach certification, and local governments must deny public facility access to youth sports organizations whose coaches lack this certification. The State Board of Education will approve specific training programs, initially including the National Council for Mental Wellbeing's courses, and publish them annually. This law directly affects all public school coaches and youth sports organizations using county or city facilities.

Maddy summarySB 559 directs North Carolina's Legislative Research Commission (LRC) to study whether state employees should receive bereavement leave. The LRC must examine data from the Office of State Human Resources and report findings with potential legislative proposals to the 2026 General Assembly. The bill appropriates $50,000 from the General Fund to fund this study during the 2025-2026 fiscal year. It does not create new leave policies but sets a timeline for research, with the study mandated to begin by July 1, 2025. This is a procedural bill focused solely on gathering information, not implementing changes.