Enacts new GS 115C-76.46 defining a health care screen as a vision screening, hearing screening, dental screening, or developmental screening for cognition, language, and motor function. Allows a public school unit to conduct a health care screening without parental consent, but requires providing notice at the beginning of the school year on all screenings that will be conducted, and requires providing parents the results of their child’s screenings.

Amends GS 115C-76.45 by amending the provisions under which the governing body of a public school unit must adopt procedures to notify parents of specified items, as follows. Concerning the notice of each health care service offered at the school and the ways for the parent to consent for specific services, adds that health care services does not include a health care screening and adds a separate requirement to adopt procedures to notify parents of health care screenings provided in new GS 115C-76.46. Removes requirements for notice before changes in the name or pronoun used for a student in school records.

Appropriates $25,000 in recurring funds for 2026-27 from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction to develop an awareness campaign and canvassing initiative to address declines in student health and parental awareness of student health options.

Effective July 1, 2026.