Sen. DeAndrea Salvador

Maddy summarySB 588, the Pregnant Workers Protection Act, protects pregnant employees and those with pregnancy-related conditions from workplace discrimination and requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations. It explicitly adds pregnancy to anti-discrimination laws (covering hiring, pay, and termination) and mandates accommodations like modified schedules, temporary transfers to less strenuous roles, or additional break time - unless providing them would cause significant difficulty for the business. The bill also extends these protections to housing by prohibiting discrimination against pregnant people when renting or buying homes. It applies to all employers in North Carolina and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 637 amends North Carolina's domestic violence protective order law to ensure same-sex couples in dating relationships can access these protections. Currently, the law required dating relationships to be between people of "opposite sex" for protective orders to apply, excluding same-sex couples. The bill removes this gender requirement from the definition of a dating relationship in the statute. This change applies to all protective orders issued on or after the law's effective date, providing equal access to domestic violence protections regardless of sexual orientation.

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 649 reinstates education-based salary supplements for North Carolina public school teachers and instructional support personnel (ISP) who hold master's or doctoral degrees. It directs the State Board of Education to use the 2013 policy (TCP-A-006) to determine eligibility for the "M" salary schedule and degree-related pay supplements. The bill appropriates $8 million in recurring state funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to cover these reinstated supplements. This policy change directly affects educators with advanced degrees by restoring previously eliminated pay incentives tied to their academic credentials.

Maddy summarySB 652, titled "Voter Fraud Prevention Act" (though it addresses party switches, not fraud), requires North Carolina legislators who change political party affiliation during their term with over six months remaining to vacate their seat automatically. This triggers a special election within 90 days, as outlined in Section 1 of the bill. Additionally, Section 2 mandates that such legislators must refund campaign contributions from the most recent election cycle to donors who request it within 30 days. The bill applies specifically to elected or appointed members of the North Carolina General Assembly and is currently pending in the Senate Rules committee.

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 651, "The Hustle Act," establishes North Carolina's Small Business Capital Access Act to improve financing for underserved small businesses and Minority/Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs). It creates a new Office of Small Business Capital Access within the Department of Commerce and a 11-member Oversight Board to manage a program offering loan guarantees (up to 90% for MWBEs, 80% for others), direct investments, and technical assistance. The program targets businesses headquartered in North Carolina, operating for at least one year, with demonstrated growth potential but denied traditional financing, prioritizing those in low-income or rural communities. Key provisions include requiring qualified lenders (like community banks and CDFIs) to provide loans covered by state guarantees, with funds directed toward business expansion, equipment, or working capital.

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.

Maddy summarySB 660 increases the property tax exemption for disabled veterans in North Carolina from $45,000 to $75,000 of home value, effective for taxes starting July 2025. It also allows 100% disabled veterans to exclude their primary vehicle from property tax and creates a prequalification process to determine eligibility before purchasing a home. Local governments will be reimbursed by the state for 50% of revenue losses from these exemptions, capped at 1% of their general fund revenue. The bill directly affects North Carolina residents who are 100% disabled veterans or surviving spouses of such veterans.