Sen. Joyce Waddell

Maddy summarySB 622 requires North Carolina employers to provide earned paid sick leave, directly affecting over 1.6 million private-sector workers currently without access. Employees earn 1 hour of paid sick time for every 30 hours worked, with small businesses (10 or fewer employees) limited to 32 hours annually and larger employers to 56 hours. Workers can use this time for their own health needs, family care, or addressing domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The law applies to all covered employees except certain exempt workers and volunteers, aiming to ensure workers don’t lose pay for essential health-related absences.

Maddy summarySB 629, the "Ride Safe, Insure Smart Act," requires motocross facilities open to the public to carry liability insurance of at least $1 million per incident and $2 million total. This applies to facility owners and operators (including businesses), but excludes private, non-fee facilities and government-run locations. Operators must provide proof of insurance to the Insurance Commissioner upon request, and the Commissioner can halt operations if proof is missing. Insurance must come from an authorized North Carolina insurer and include 30 days' written notice before cancellation, suspension, or nonrenewal. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 621 reinstates a temporary sales tax exemption for school supplies in North Carolina, effective July 1, 2025. The bill reenacts G.S. 105-164.13C, which exempts qualifying items like notebooks, pens, and backpacks from state sales tax during a designated period each year. This directly affects families purchasing school supplies for children, reducing their out-of-pocket costs. The policy change is limited to tax relief for specific items and does not alter education funding or curriculum.

Maddy summarySB 626, the Domestic Violence Divorce Reform Act, allows victims of domestic violence in North Carolina to obtain an absolute divorce without waiting the standard one-year-six-month separation period. To qualify, a victim must provide evidence (such as police reports, medical records, or domestic violence program documentation) proving the abuse and submit a statement confirming their status as a victim. The bill also abolishes outdated common-law lawsuits for "alienation of affection" (suing someone for breaking up a marriage) and "criminal conversation" (suing for adultery). These changes directly affect domestic violence survivors seeking divorce and eliminate specific legal claims that no longer align with modern family law. The bill takes effect upon enactment and applies to new divorce cases filed after that date.

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 summarySB 642, the SAVE Students Act, requires all North Carolina public school students in grades 6-12 to receive two hours annually of evidence-based training on suicide/violence prevention and social inclusion. The training, approved by the Department of Public Instruction, covers identifying warning signs, accessing mental health resources, and fostering peer connections. School staff with regular student contact must also complete one hour of annual suicide/violence prevention training. Schools may use assemblies, digital tools, or other methods for delivery, and parents can opt students out. The bill also mandates school mental health plans and allows student-led suicide prevention clubs.

Maddy summarySB 641 reenacts North Carolina's refundable child tax credit, providing financial support to low- and moderate-income families with children. It offers $1,900 annually for each child under age 6 and $1,600 for older qualifying children, with credit amounts phasing out based on income (e.g., married couples filing jointly receive full credit up to $40,000 AGI, reduced to $100 between $40,000-$100,000, and none above $100,000). The credit is refundable, meaning families may receive a cash payment if the credit exceeds their state tax liability. This policy directly affects North Carolina households with children who meet income thresholds, aiming to reduce child poverty by supplementing family income. The bill takes effect for tax years beginning January 1, 2025.

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.