Sen. Kandie Smith

Maddy summarySB 585 creates a tuition and registration fee waiver for mental health clinicians and peer support specialists working in municipal or county emergency medical services (EMS), rescue, or lifesaving departments. It specifically applies to professionals embedded in 911 call centers to direct mental health resources or paired with first responders during emergency calls. The bill amends North Carolina's community college tuition waiver rules to add these departments as eligible entities, allowing their employees to take approved community college courses without tuition costs. This policy directly affects local government emergency response teams and their mental health staff, effective July 1, 2025. The waiver covers standard tuition and registration fees for relevant training programs.

Maddy summarySB 523 establishes a pilot voucher program to expand mental health access for low-income North Carolinians. It allocates $25 million (from state, general, and federal funds) to provide up to 10 free annual therapy visits per year to residents earning under 250% of the federal poverty level, with priority for veterans, uninsured individuals, young adults (18-26), teachers, and law enforcement. The program will operate in five selected counties starting July 2025, covering therapy, psychiatric care, and telehealth services through certified providers. An independent commission will evaluate outcomes - including patient satisfaction and reduced hospitalizations - and recommend statewide expansion if the pilot proves effective within five years.

Maddy summarySB 548 requires North Carolina law enforcement officers (LEOs) to report observed excessive force or improper activity within 72 hours to a superior officer, and prohibits retaliation against LEOs for making such reports. The bill explicitly states that officers cannot be terminated, disciplined, or retaliated against for reporting, though disciplinary action for unrelated misconduct prior to the report remains permitted. It also makes knowingly false reports a Class 2 misdemeanor and extends protection to officers disclosing any violation of law, rule, or regulation to supervisors or government agencies. The law takes effect December 1, 2025, applying to reports made on or after that date.

Maddy summarySB 586, "Allergy Safe NC," requires child care centers in North Carolina to implement specific safety protocols for children with food allergies. It mandates that caregivers receive training on administering allergy emergency medication (epinephrine), require immediate contact with emergency services after such medication is used, notify parents about allergic reactions and their causes, and provide written food allergy policies to parents. These requirements apply to all child care facilities licensed under state law, directly affecting centers that care for children with known food allergies. The bill aims to standardize emergency response and prevention measures to protect children’s health during care.

Maddy summarySB 574 creates the North Carolina Healthy Soils Task Force within the Department of Agriculture to develop a statewide soil health initiative. The task force, composed of 11 voting members including agricultural leaders, university representatives, and farmers (with specific acreage representation), will create an action plan to improve soil health through voluntary partnerships. Key duties include identifying financial incentives for farmers, promoting compost use, coordinating with federal programs like the 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act, and setting measurable goals for soil health. This bill directly affects North Carolina farmers and agricultural communities by establishing a formal process to enhance soil productivity, water quality, and environmental resilience.

Maddy summarySB 542 allocates $20.3 million in one-time funding and $1 million annually to support Western North Carolina recovery and economic development. It provides $10 million specifically for long-term housing recovery for residents impacted by Hurricane Helene, $5 million to Community Development Corporations (CDCs), $300,000 for women’s business centers, and $5 million for broader economic development programs. The bill also includes $1 million in recurring funds to assist with ongoing housing recovery, match federal disaster funds, and support community services statewide. This legislation directly affects Western NC residents recovering from Hurricane Helene, CDCs, and women’s business centers in Western NC, the Triad, and Piedmont regions.

Maddy summarySB 511 requires all North Carolina public schools (K-12) to teach informational literacy, defined as skills to find, evaluate, and use information effectively - including digital, media, and technological literacy. The bill mandates the State Board of Education to create age-appropriate standards covering research processes, source evaluation (primary vs. secondary), fact vs. opinion, ethical information use, and access to library resources. Schools must develop curriculum in consultation with library/media staff and implement it starting in the 2025-2026 school year. This policy directly affects every public school student and educator in North Carolina through mandated curriculum changes.

Maddy summarySB 582, the Wellness Break Act, establishes a paid sabbatical leave program for North Carolina public employees (state, county, city, school, and community college workers) and provides tax incentives for private sector employers. Public employees with three or more years in the same role can take 4-6 weeks of paid leave (70% of salary) for health, wellness, skill-building, or personal enrichment, provided they return to their position for one year. Private businesses offering similar leave qualify for a tax credit of up to $5,000 per employee to offset costs. The bill requires public employers to report on program usage and outcomes, and the NCWorks Commission will develop model policies and resources to support private sector adoption.

Maddy summarySB 524, the Community Safety Partnership Act, establishes a state fund and grant program to support community-led safety initiatives in North Carolina. It provides grants (up to $100,000 per project) to counties, municipalities, and nonprofits for specific safety projects like improved street lighting, security cameras, or community alert systems, prioritizing high-crime and underserved areas. The bill also creates a digital tracking system to verify attendance at approved neighborhood watch meetings and mandates a state-mandated bonus for law enforcement officers engaged in community outreach. Eligible participants include residents in certified neighborhood watch programs and participating officers, with grantees required to report on project use and outcomes annually. The legislation directly affects local governments, community organizations, and law enforcement through funding and new administrative requirements.

Maddy summarySB 499, "Allow Housing Near Jobs," requires North Carolina local governments to automatically permit residential development - including converting existing commercial buildings - anywhere areas are currently zoned for commercial, office, or retail use. It eliminates the need for special permits or zoning amendments in these zones, directly affecting developers and local planning departments. The bill does not override building or fire codes but takes effect October 1, 2025, aiming to increase housing options near job centers.