Sen. Warren Daniel

Maddy summarySB 577 clarifies North Carolina's ban on kickbacks in title insurance transactions, directly affecting real estate agents, attorneys, lenders, and title companies during property sales. The bill prohibits paying or receiving kickbacks, rebates, or commissions related to title insurance, except for payments to employees or shareholders of legitimate title insurers meeting specific conditions. It requires written disclosures about referrals to buyers, aligning with federal Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) rules, and violations carry a Class 2 misdemeanor penalty with fines up to $5,000. The law takes effect December 1, 2025, applying to offenses after that date.

Maddy summarySB 540 increases funding for small county school systems in North Carolina by revising their supplemental allotment schedule. It provides higher base funding amounts based on student enrollment (e.g., counties with 0-1,300 students receive $1.82 million annually instead of prior rates), directly affecting small school districts with under 3,300 students. The bill appropriates $20,961,180 in recurring funds from the General Fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to implement these changes. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, ensuring increased per-student funding for eligible small county school systems.

Maddy summarySB 364 changes retirement rules for retired Assistant District Attorneys (ADAs) and Assistant Public Defenders (APDs) in North Carolina. It reduces the required separation period from state employment before returning to work from six months to 30 days. This means retired ADAs and APDs can rejoin state positions after a 30-day break, rather than waiting six months like other state retirees. The bill directly affects these specific retired legal professionals who wish to return to state service.

Maddy summarySB 537 defines the scope of practice for Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) in North Carolina, specifically for nurse practitioners (NPs), certified nurse midwives (CNMs), certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), and clinical nurse specialists (CNSs). The bill provides statutory definitions for each role, detailing permitted activities like diagnosing conditions, prescribing medications, ordering diagnostic tests, and managing patient care within their specialized focus areas. By codifying these definitions in state law, the bill removes longstanding ambiguity about APRN practice that has persisted for decades, as noted by North Carolina courts and the executive branch. This change directly affects over 20,000 APRNs in the state by legally clarifying their scope of practice.

Maddy summarySB 670 prohibits North Carolina state agencies and local governments from purchasing small drones (under 55 pounds) manufactured or assembled by specific foreign vendors. It directly affects all state and local entities that use public funds for drone acquisitions, banning purchases from vendors on U.S. sanctions lists, based in China or Russia, or controlled by those governments. The law prevents the use of any state funds - including through contracts or grants - for such purchases, effective July 1, 2027. It applies to all "small unmanned aircraft systems" operated without direct human control, regardless of whether they are recoverable or expendable.

Maddy summarySB 702 modifies North Carolina's bail bond laws, primarily updating procedures for setting aside bond forfeitures. It directly affects bail bond companies (sureties) and defendants by adding specific circumstances under which a forfeiture can be overturned, such as if the defendant was incarcerated in a jail or prison during the period of failure to appear. Key provisions require bail bond companies to provide documented proof (like prison records or court documents) to the district attorney within 10 days of the defendant's incarceration, and mandate that the district attorney must be notified of the incarceration while the defendant remains detained. The bill also clarifies that forfeitures can be set aside only for these explicitly listed reasons, not other circumstances. This streamlines the process for bond companies seeking to avoid financial liability when defendants miss court due to legitimate incarceration.

Maddy summarySB 701 allows North Carolina state and local law enforcement officers with at least 30 years of service to continue receiving retirement benefits while remaining actively employed. Specifically, officers aged 59.5 or older can elect to receive their retirement allowance without separating from their current law enforcement position. The bill requires employers to cover both employee and employer retirement contributions during this period, while prohibiting additional service credit accrual or eligibility for disability/supplemental retirement benefits. This policy directly affects qualifying officers who wish to stay on duty while maintaining their retirement income.

Maddy summarySB 703 updates North Carolina's workers' compensation benefits for specific injuries by establishing automatic annual increases tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI). It raises maximum compensation amounts for facial/head disfigurement (from $20,000 to $56,000), bodily disfigurement (from $10,000 to $28,000), and organ loss (from $20,000 to $56,000). These increases, effective July 1, 2026, will adjust each year based on positive CPI changes from the prior year, rounded to the nearest dollar. The bill directly affects workers injured in ways covered under the schedule of injuries, ensuring compensation keeps pace with inflation.

Maddy summarySB 749 allows courts to require delinquent child support payers to participate in work search or job training instead of facing jail time for nonpayment. It directly affects individuals who owe child support and are found in contempt of court, mandating they pay at least $50 monthly while enrolled in work-specific training for up to six months. Key provisions require courts to review progress every 30 days, mandate participants to notify the court of training completion or attendance issues within 14 days, and maintain enforcement authority during appeals. The bill changes enforcement procedures to prioritize workforce engagement over incarceration for this specific violation.

Maddy summarySB 516, the Women's Safety and Protection Act, requires single biological sex use in restrooms, changing facilities, and sleeping quarters within covered facilities like public schools, prisons, domestic violence centers, and juvenile detention centers. It defines "biological sex" based on reproductive anatomy and mandates that facilities designated for one biological sex must be used exclusively by that sex, with exceptions for maintenance, medical emergencies, law enforcement, or natural disasters. The law applies to all state-funded facilities and includes specific rules for public schools regarding student sleeping arrangements during school activities. It explicitly states that facilities may not be used by individuals of a different biological sex unless covered by the listed exceptions.