Sen. Kevin Corbin

Maddy summarySB 532, the "Preserving Competition in Healthcare Act," requires hospitals in North Carolina to notify state auditors, the attorney general, and the state treasurer before selling or merging more than half their assets (valued at $5 million or more). This applies to hospital entities and their potential buyers, such as larger healthcare systems, aiming to prevent anti-competitive consolidation. The state agencies must review these transactions within 60 days (extendable by 30 days) to decide whether to approve them or object. Routine transactions not affecting competition can be exempted through a written waiver from the three state officials.

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 619 establishes North Carolina's AI Academic Support Grant Program, providing $10,060,560 in recurring funds for public school districts to contract with Khan Academy for its Khanmigo AI tool. The program directly affects public schools serving grades 6-12, requiring districts to use funds exclusively for Khanmigo licenses, associated teacher training, and secure class rostering systems approved by the state. Schools must annually evaluate Khanmigo's use and report metrics like student interactions, teacher usage, and impacts on learning outcomes to the legislature. A separate study by the Office of Learning Research will measure Khanmigo's effectiveness on student performance, with results due by April 2028.

Maddy summarySB 714 prohibits corporal punishment (physical punishment) in all North Carolina public schools, making it the first statewide statutory ban despite no current school districts using it. The bill requires schools to report detailed data on any corporal punishment administered - including student race, gender, disability status, and reasons - to the State Board of Education annually. It also mandates parental notification and written explanations for any rare instances where it might still occur, while clarifying that physical restraint under federal law and reasonable force are excluded. The law applies starting the 2025-2026 school year and aligns with existing practices where all 115 school districts already prohibit the practice.

Maddy summarySB 737 requires North Carolina to adjust Medicaid reimbursement rates for licensed ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs) to at least 95% of the Medicare Ambulatory Surgical Centers fee schedule each year. This directly affects ASCs that treat Medicaid patients by increasing their payments to better align with Medicare rates. The bill provides $6.9 million annually in state funds to match $12.6 million in federal funds for implementation, ensuring the rate adjustments are fully funded. The changes will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 689 requires North Carolina's Charter Schools Review Board to approve all state rules affecting charter schools, shifting this authority from the State Board of Education. The bill exempts charter schools from reporting class rank on student transcripts and permits them to use alternative teacher evaluations aligned with state teaching standards. Low-performing charter schools must now submit improvement plans directly to the Review Board (instead of the State Board of Education), and the Board gains authority to review federal funding decisions for charter schools. Additionally, the Review Board may hire legal counsel without needing prior approval.

Maddy summarySB 443 requires counties and cities in North Carolina to obtain annual compensation disclosures from providers of employee benefits, such as life insurance, health plans, or retirement benefits. These providers - including brokers, consultants, and insurance companies - must report all funds paid to them (like commissions, fees, or bonuses) and affirm that no compensation was given to county or city employees or officials. The bill directly affects local governments (as recipients of disclosures) and benefit providers (as submitters of reports), aiming to increase transparency in how public funds are spent on employee benefits. It applies to all benefits provided to current employees, their dependents, and retirees. The law would take effect upon enactment, though it is currently pending in the Senate Rules Committee.

Maddy summarySB 390 requires North Carolina's local governments and school districts to use competitive bidding annually for publishing legal notices in newspapers. It mandates selecting the lowest-cost bidder while considering newspaper quality, circulation reach, and compliance with existing rules. The bill also updates payment rules to ensure notices are paid at standard commercial rates, requiring newspapers to file current rate statements with courts. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 422 modifies North Carolina's licensure rules for marriage and family therapists, primarily affecting out-of-state therapists seeking to practice in the state. It requires applicants from other states to have held an unrestricted license for five continuous years, pass a North Carolina law exam, and have no unresolved complaints. The bill also adds a new requirement for criminal history background checks for all licensure applicants. These changes apply to new applications starting October 1, 2025, and aim to standardize licensing across jurisdictions.

Maddy summarySB 412 increases North Carolina's childcare subsidy rates to the 75th percentile of typical market rates starting July 2025, with an additional 10% boost for rural counties and infant/toddler care (birth to 3 years). It allocates $123.5 million annually for 2025-2027 to fund these rate increases for childcare centers and homes. The bill also provides $8 million for a two-year pilot program in western NC regions impacted by Hurricane Helene, managed by regional councils to recruit new childcare providers and establish mentorship for sustainability. The pilot will track new childcare centers, family homes, and slots created across five designated regions, with progress reports required for oversight.