Part I.

Amends GS 115B-1 by amending the definition of permanently and totally disabled as a direct result of a traumatic injury sustained in the line of duty, to include probation officers (as defined). Also amends the definition of survivor to include a person whose parent, legal guardian, legal custodian, or spouse was a probation officer killed in service or training or who died as a result of a service-connected disability, and who was a North Carolina resident. Amends GS 115B-2 to require UNC constitute institutions and community colleges to allow the following person to attend classes for free: (1) survivor of a probation officers killed as a direct result of a traumatic injury sustained in the line of duty; (2) spouse of a probation officer who is permanently and totally disabled as a result of a traumatic injury sustained in the line of duty; and 93) a child, age 17-24, of a probation officer who is permanently and totally disabled as a result of a traumatic injury sustained in the line of duty. Makes conforming changes to GS 115B-5.

Amend GS 15A-101.1 by amending the definition of electronic monitoring or electronically monitor or satellite-based monitoring, by no longer requiring that the device have a battery life of at least 48 hours without being recharged. Makes additional technical changes.

Amend s GS 15A-1342 and GS 15A-1343.2 by removing the provisions that allowed the court to extend probation to allow the defendant to complete a restitution program or to continue medical or psychiatric treatment ordered as a condition of probation, up to a period three years, to be ordered only in the last six months of the original probation period. Instead, allows the court to extend probation as allowed under GS 15A-1344, thereby extending the five-year probation maximum by one additional year. Amend GS 15A-1344 as follows. Allows the probationer to waive the hearing on the extension of probation. Limits the number of extensions for any probation period to one, however, the court may extend the total time on probation by up to one additional year if the probationer admits they have violated their probation conditions or if the probationer is found by the court to have violated their probation conditions the total time on any probation term, including extensions, from exceeding the 5-year maximum term (2-year maximum for a defendant whose prosecution has been deferred or who received a conditional discharge on probation) under GS 15A-1342(a) plus one additional year if they admit to or the court finds violations of the probation conditions. Applies to new terms of probation ordered on or after December 1, 2025.

Part II.

Amends GS 14-208.20 by changing the qualifications for the members of the board of experts who are studying whether a defendant is a sexually violent predator, to prohibit the two members who are experts in the field of the behavior and treatment of sexual offenders from being employed full time (was, not be employed by) the Division of Prison (Division) of the Department of Adult Correction (Department). Applies to board of experts selected on or after December 1, 2025.

Extends the sunset on provisions concerning the training and authority of security guards and patrol professionals providing security services related to entry and exit, direction and movement of individuals at entry and exit, security working towers, or perimeter security patrols at a State prison facility from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2027.

Part III.

Amends GS 143C-8-7 to allow the Secretary of the Department of Adult Correction to pay for projects for repairs and renovations with funds available to the agency under the following conditions: (1) the project costs do not exceed $1 million and is one of 13 listed types of projects; (2) the Department must report on these projects quarterly to the Fiscal Research Division; and (3) any funds from a General Fund appropriation that are contractually obligated one of these projects do not revert at the end of fiscal year and instead remain available to fund the completion of the project.

Allows the Department to use up to $1,612,481.14 from the projects listed in SL 2006-66, Section 23.12(g) (capital facility costs of the Regional Medical Center and Mental Health Center of the Department of Correction) and SL 2015-241, Section 31.22 (capital facility costs of renovating existing space at Central Prison for bed space for long‑term palliative care) to finance capital facility costs of HVAC projects at state facilities.

Part IV.

Amends GS 126-6.3 by exempting health services-related temporary employees working in the Department and the Department of Health and Human Services from the required break-in-service [only for the purpose of Article 1 of GS Chapter 126 (State Human Resources System)]. Makes conforming changes.

Part V.

Amends the definitions in GS 135-1 as they apply to the Retirement System for Teachers and State Employees by including in the definition of a probation/parole officer, a full-time paid employee of the Department’s Office of Staff Development and Training and who is certified as a probation/parole officer and works exclusively in a training role. Makes additional technical changes. Applies to determinations under Article 1 of GS Chapter 135 made on or after that date.

Part VI.

Amends GS 15A-1368.2(c1) to require a person required to submit to satellite-based monitoring under the provision applicable to sex offenders and persons convicted of offenses involving physical, mental, or sexual abuse of a minor, to continue to participate beyond the period of post-release supervision until the superior court in the county where the conviction occurred (was, the Post‑Release Supervision and Parole  Commission) releases the person from that requirement.

Amends GS 143-805, which prohibits agency employees from viewing pornography its network or devices by exempting employees investigating matters involving offenders incarcerated with, or otherwise under the supervision of, the Department or matters related to the misuse of devices owned by the Department.

Part VII.

Includes a severability clause.

Section 1

Amends GS 90-18(c), listing actions that do not constitute practicing medicine or surgery under Article 1, Practice of Medicine. Replaces subdivision (3a) to now exclude the provision of health care services by a licensed pharmacist under a collaborative practice agreement with at least one physician performed pursuant to rules developed by a joint subcommittee of the Medical Board and Board of Pharmacy and approved by both Boards (currently, excludes the provision of drug therapy management by a licensed pharmacist engaged in the practice of pharmacy pursuant to an agreement that is physician, pharmacist, patient, and disease specified when performed pursuant to rules approved by the Boards). Defines health care services as medical tasks, acts, or functions authorized through written agreement by a physician and delegated to a pharmacist for the purpose of providing drug therapy, disease, or population health management for patients. 

Amends GS 90-18.4, which sets limitations on clinical pharmacist practitioners, to eliminate references to drug therapy management. Provides that physicians can authorize clinical pharmacist practitioners to provide health care services so long as the Boards have adopted rules governing the approval of individual practitioners, the practitioner has current approval from both Boards, and the Medical Board has assigned an identification number to the practitioner that is shown on written prescriptions. Eliminates limitations relating to practitioners' prescription substitutions and authority to order medication and tests. Deems orders written by a clinical pharmacist practitioner for medications, tests, or other devices to have been authorized by the supervising physician, with the supervising physician responsible for authorizing the order, and authorizes registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and pharmacists to perform the order in the same manner as if the order were received from a licensed physician. Authorizes institutional and group practices to implement site-specific, multi-provider collaborative practice agreements for the care of their patients. Requires the institution or group practice to develop an oversight policy and requires evaluation of the practitioners engaged in the agreement by an appointed supervising physician. Lists six requirements that apply to clinical pharmacist practitioners and supervising physicians engaging in collaborative practice, including (1) requiring a clinical pharmacist practitioner to have a site-specific supervising physician, (2) requiring the supervising physician to conduct periodic review and evaluation of the health care services provided by the clinical pharmacist practitioner, (3) allowing a physician to supervise any number of clinical pharmacist technicians as the supervising physician deems can be safely and effectively supervised, (4) requiring delegated health care services to be included in the written agreement between the supervising physician and the clinical pharmacist practitioner, (5) allowing a supervising physician to include a statement of authorization in the written agreement to allow the clinical pharmacist practitioner to conduct drug substitutions as specified, and (6) allowing supervising physicians to add other advanced practice providers they supervise to the collaborative practice agreement. Allows for the health care settling location of health care services provided by the clinical pharmacist practitioner to be fully or partially embedded for a site-specific practice. Requires the supervising physician to determine the setting location and include the location in the site-specific collaborative practice agreement. 

Amends the definition of clinical pharmacist practitioner in GS 90-85.3 to include authorization to perform medical acts, tasks, and functions for drug therapy, disease, or population health management agreements with physicians pursuant to GS 90-18.4, as amended.

Section 2

Enacts new GS 58-50-296, which requires insurers offering a health benefit plan that delegates credentialing agreements or requirements for licensed pharmacists to a contracted healthcare facility to accept the credentialing for all pharmacists employed by, or contracted with, those healthcare facilities.

Enacts new GS 58-3-241 to require health benefit plans offered by insurers to cover healthcare services provided by a pharmacist if (1) the service or procedure was performed within the pharmacist's licensed scope of practice, (2) the plan would have provided reimbursement if performed by another health care provider, and (3) the pharmacist provided the service or procedure pursuant to any requirements of the insurer related to the service or procedure. Specifies that the participation of a pharmacy in a drug benefit provider network of a health benefit plan does not satisfy any requirement that insurers offering health benefit plans include pharmacists in medical benefit provider networks. Defines healthcare services as any of the following health or medical procedures or services rendered by a healthcare provider: (1) testing, diagnosis, or treatment of a health condition, illness, injury, or disease, including testing, diagnosis, or treatment rendered by a pharmacist acting within the pharmacist's scope of practice; (2) dispensing of drugs, medical devices, medical appliances, or medical goods for the treatment of a health condition, illness, injury, or disease; and (3) administration of a vaccine or medication.

Amends GS 58-56-25 to make all requirements relating to the coverage or prescription drugs and pharmacy services under GS Chapter 58 that are applicable to health benefits applicable to a pharmacy benefits manager in the same way they apply to an insurer.

Applies to contracts entered into, renewed, or amended on or after October 1, 2025.

Section 3

Directs the Boards to adopt temporary implementing rules. 

Section 4

Effective October 1, 2025, unless otherwise provided.

Part I.

Recodifies and amends (as detailed below) the specified statutes and portions of statutes to new statutes comprising Article 8 “Death Benefit Plan for State Employees and Retirees,” in GS Chapter 135.  Repeals the remainder of GS 135-7(g) and GS 135-5(l) that are not recodified under the act.

Enacts GS 135-153, containing five defined terms that apply in new Article 8. Defines participating plans to include the Death Benefit Plan (the Death Benefit Plan for State Employees and Retirees under Article 8-TSERS Plan), the Local Government Death Benefit Plan under Part 2 of Article 3 of GS Chapter 128 (LGERS Plan), contributory death benefits available to retired members of the Consolidated Judicial Retirement System under GS 135-64 (JRS Benefit); contributory death benefits available to retired members of the Legislative Retirement System under GS 120-4.27 (LRS Benefit); and the Separate Insurance Benefits Plan under GS 143-166.60 (Separate Plan).

Enacts GS 135-154, concerning the NC Teachers’ and State Employees’ Benefit Trust [Benefit Trust] using the portions of statutes described, with the following changes.  Specifies that the receipts, transfers, appropriations, contributions, investment earnings, and other income belonging of all participating plans are to be deposited in the Benefit Trust, and that the participating plans are the recipient from which all Benefit Trust benefits and expenses are disbursed. Currently, the plans in the Benefit Trust consist of plans governed by various provisions of GS Chapters 120, 128, 135 and 143 (the Plans). Replaces references to those Plans with participating plans. Allows for Benefit Trust funds to be used for reasonable expenses in the administration of the participating plans. Makes technical, organizational, and conforming changes. Allows for the assets of the Benefit Trust to be subject to creditor claims. 

Enacts GS 135-155, establishing the TSERS Plan using the portions of statutes described, with the following changes.  Makes conforming changes to account for changes to Benefit Trust and newly termed TSERS Plan as a participating plan, discussed above. Makes technical changes.

Enacts GS 135-160, concerning the administration of the TSERS Plan using the portions of statutes described, with the following changes. Specifies that the TSERS Plan is to be administered by the TSERS Board of Trustees (TSERS Board). Allows the TSERS Board to adopt temporary or permanent rules as necessary, to administer Article 8.  Makes conforming and technical changes.

Enacts GS 135-165, concerning a death benefit for in-service members using the portions of statutes described, with the following changes. Makes the described death benefits part of the new TSERS plan. Specifies that a member who is not retired and has completed at least one full year of membership in TSERS, is a participant in, and eligible for death benefits under the TSERS Plan in accordance with GS 135-165 (was, completion of a calendar year of service).  Makes conforming, organizational, technical, and clarifying changes.

Enacts GS 135-170, concerning the last day of actual service pertaining to the death benefit for in-service members, using the portions of statutes described, with the following changes. Specifies that if a member is deemed to be in service then the last day of actual service is the last day for which the member contributed to TSERS. Specifies that the last day of actual service for a member on an approved leave of absence but who is not in service, is either the last day for which the member contributed to TSERS or the date on which the member's sick and annual leave expired, whichever is later. Specifies that teachers or State employee members on leave of absence for service as a member of the General Assembly are eligible for the TSERS Plan and that the last of day of service is the most recent legislative day of the General Assembly or their last day of employment as a teacher or State employee, whichever is later. Specifies that the following apply to a member who is either (1) receiving workers' compensation benefits during the period for which the member would have been otherwise eligible to receive short-term benefits or extended short-term benefits under GS 135-105 or (2) a beneficiary under the Disability Income Plan:  

• If the date the member last performed work as a teacher or State employee occurred within 180 days of the date the member died, then the last day of actual service is the last day the member performed that work.  
• If the date the member last performed worked as a teacher or State employee occurred more than 180 days from the date the  member died, then that member is not deemed in active service for the purposes of GS 135-165.

Makes clarifying, technical, conforming, and organizational changes.

Enacts GS 135-175, concerning a fully contributory death benefit for retired members, using the portions of statutes described, with the following changes. Allows all retired members to elect to participate in the TSERS Plan as provided. Requires election to the TSERS Plan be made prior to death and no later than 60 calendar days from the effective date of the member's retirement. Provides for receipt of the election by the TSERS Board. Directs that retired members electing to receive a fully contributory death benefit under the TSERS Plan must continuously pay monthly premiums on a fully contributory basis, as described. Makes organizational, technical, and conforming changes.  

Enacts GS 135-180, concerning the death benefits for members receiving workers compensation or disability income, using the portions of statutes described, with the following changes. Specifies the following criteria that must be met for a member to receive death benefits under the TSERS Plan: the member is not retired or eligible for death benefits under GS 135-165, and that the member passes away on or after 181 days from their last day of service (as described) but before their disability income or workers’ compensation benefits ended. Directs that benefits be paid in a lump sum upon proof of death satisfactory to the TSERS Board. Makes conforming, technical, organizational, and clarifying changes.

Enacts GS 135-185, concerning beneficiaries under the TSERS Plan, as follows. Requires a member to designate beneficiaries as described. Directs that if no designated beneficiaries are living at the time of the member’s death then the benefit will be paid to the member’s legal representative.

Enacts GS 135-190, concerning the reciprocity of the TSERS Plan using the portions of statutes described, GS 135-195, concerning the accumulated contributions, using the portions of statutes described, and GS 135-200 concerning benefits disallowed under Article 8, all with technical and conforming changes.

Part II.

Organizes GS 128-21 through 128-37.29 to Part 1 of Article 3, titled “Local Government Employees Retirement System” in GS Chapter 128. Recodifies and amends (as detailed below) the specified portions of statutes to new sections comprising Part 2 of Article 3, titled “Local Government Death Benefit Plan,” in GS Chapter 128.  Repeals the remainder of (l), (l1), and (l6) of GS 128-27 not recodified by the act. Repeals subsections (l2), (l3), (l4), and (l5) of GS 128-27.

Adds defined terms Benefit Trust to mean the Benefit Trust described in Part I and Death Benefit Plan to mean the LGERS Plan discussed herein, to GS 128-21 (definitions pertaining to LGERS). Makes technical changes.

Enacts GS 128-38.30, concerning the LGERS Plan using the portions of statutes described, with the following changes. Creates the LGERS Plan, which is a group life insurance plan distinct from LGERS. Makes conforming changes and technical changes.

Enacts GS 128-38.31, concerning the administration of the LGERS Plan using the portions of statutes described, with the following changes. Charges the LGERS Board of Trustees (LGER Board) with administering the LGERS Plan.  Allows the LGERS Board to adopt temporary or permanent rules to administer new Part 2. Makes technical and conforming changes.

Enacts GS 128-38.35, concerning the death benefit for in-service members using the portions of statutes described, with the following changes. Clarifies that participation in, and benefits eligibility for, the LGERS Plan only commences when the employer and LGERS’ executive director execute the agreement specified in the section. Clarifies that law enforcement employers participating in LGERS are requires to participate in the LGERS Plan for their law enforcement employees, including funding the cost of the LGERS Plan benefits. Subject to employer participation in the LGERS Plan for members who are not law enforcement officers, a member who has not retired and who has completed at least one full year of membership in LGERS is a participant in, and eligible for the death benefits under, the LGERS Plan. Provides for payment of benefit by a lump sum upon satisfactory proof of death. Makes conforming and technical changes.

Enacts GS 128-38.36, concerning the last day of actual service pertaining to the death benefit for in-service members, using the portions of statutes described, with the following changes. Directs that for LGERS members on a leave of absence but deemed to be in service then the last day of actual services in the last day for which the member made a contribution to LGERS. Specifies that the last day of actual service for a member on an approved leave of absence but who is not in service, is either the last day for which the member contributed to LGERS or the date on which the member's sick and annual leave expired, whichever is later. Specifies that local government employee members on leave of absence for service as a member of the General Assembly are eligible for the LGERS Plan and that the last of day of service is the most recent legislative day of the General Assembly or their last day they performed work as a local government employee, whichever is later. Makes clarifying, technical, organizational and conforming changes.

Enacts GS 128-38.40, concerning a fully contributory death benefit for retired members, using the portions of statutes described, with the following changes. Allows all retired members to elect to participate in the LGERS Plan as provided. Requires election to the LGERS Plan be made prior to death and no later than 60 calendar days from the effective date of the member's retirement. Provides for receipt of the election by the LGERS Board. Directs that retired members electing to receive a fully contributory death benefit under the TSERS Plan must continuously pay monthly premiums on a fully contributory basis, as described. Makes organizational, technical, and conforming changes.

Enacts GS 128-45 (appears to intend GS 128-38.45) concerning beneficiaries under the LGERS Plan, as follows. Requires a member to designate beneficiaries as described. Directs that if no designated beneficiaries are living at the time of the member’s death, then the benefit will be paid to the member’s legal representative.

Enacts GS 128-38.46, concerning accumulated contributions using the portions of statutes described, with conforming and technical changes.

Part III.

Adds Benefit Trust as a defined term to the Judicial Retirement Act at GS 135-53. Makes conforming change to GS 135-52 to account for JRS Plan as a participating plan in the Benefit Trust. Repeals GS 135-63(b) and (d) (outdated surviving spouse provisions). Requires a member to have completed at least one year of membership service before the lump sum death benefit can be paid as described in GS 135-63.  Makes clarifying, technical, conforming and organizational changes.

Repeals GS 135-64 (f) through (j) (concerning surviving spouse benefits paid for members who passed away on certain dates ranging from before January 1, 1974, to December 31, 2014). Adds the JRS Plan, a fully contributory death benefit for retired members, using the portions of statutes described, with the following changes.  Allows all retired members to elect to participate in the JRS Plan as provided. Requires election to the JRS Plan be made prior to death and no later than 60 calendar days from the effective date of the member's retirement. Provides for receipt of the election by the TSERS Board. Directs that retired members electing to receive a fully contributory death benefit under the JRS Plan must continuously pay monthly premiums on a fully contributory basis, as described. Makes organizational, technical, and conforming changes.

Part IV.

Adds Benefit Trust as a defined term to the Legislative Retirement Act at GS 120-4.8. Makes conforming change to GS 120-4.10 to account for JRS Plan as a participating plan in the Benefit Trust. Makes technical changes to GS 120-4.26A (benefits on death after retirement). Modifies GS 120-4.27 (death while in service; fully contributory death benefit for retirees), as follows. Removes provisions requiring the lump sum death benefit capped at $15,000 as described in GS 120-4.27(a) to be provided through purchase of contracts of group life insurance. Adds the JRS Plan, a fully contributory death benefit for retired members, using the portions of statutes described, with the following changes. Allows all retired members to elect to participate in the LRS Plan as provided. Requires election to the LRS Plan be made prior to death and no later than 60 calendar days from the effective date of the member's retirement. Provides for receipt of the election by the TSERS Board. Directs that retired members electing to receive a fully contributory death benefit under the LRS Plan must continuously pay monthly premiums on a fully contributory basis, as described. Makes organizational, technical, and conforming changes.

Removes outdated provisions.

Part V.

Makes technical changes and conforming changes to the following statutes to account for the reorganization detailed in Parts I and II, above: GS 135-5(m) (TSERS survivor’s alternate benefit), GS 128-72(m)(LGERS survivor’s alternate benefit), GS 135-3(c) (TSERS intergovernmental exchanges), GS 128-24(6) (LGERS intergovernmental exchanges), GS 135-8(f) (TSERS collections of contributions), and GS128-30(g) (LGERS collections of contributions).

Makes conforming changes to GS 143-166.60(b), the Separate Insurance Benefits Plan, to account for designation as a participating plan in the Benefits Trust. Designates GS 143-166.70(5) expired (directing the separate trust fund reserves held under the death benefit plan provided for in GS 143-166.02, as it existed prior to January 1, 1986, to be transferred to the separate trust fund for the death benefit plan provided for in GS 128-27).

Part VI.

Sets a sunset date of June 30, 2025, for GS 135-5(m)(1) (TSERS: pertaining to age/service requirements in conjunction with the survivor’s alternate benefit) and GS 128-27(m)(1) (LGERS: pertaining to age/service requirements in conjunction with the survivor’s alternate benefit)

Effective July 1, 2025, amends GS 135-5(m)/GS 128-27(m), as amended by the act, as follows. Adds a new condition for a surviving spouse of a TSERS member to receive an alternate benefit directing that the deceased member must fall into one of the following categories: (1) the member had attained the minimum age, creditable service amount, or combination of both necessary to be eligible to commence retirement with an early or service retirement allowance; or (2) the member had completed at least five years of membership service, in which case the retirement allowance computed as described, notwithstanding any age or service requirements. In no case shall the retirement allowance under option (2) be less than the actuarial equivalent of the return of accumulated contributions, computed using the beneficiary's age as of the first day of the month following the date of the member's death.

Applicable to member deaths occurring on or after July 1, 2025: (1) removes the age requirement from GS 135-63(a1) (survivor’s alternate benefit-JRS) as amended by the act; (2) removes the age requirements, the service requirements if they are under age sixty for a principal beneficiary as described to receive “Option 2” under the LRS, provides for payment of excess contributions to a contingent beneficiary if the principal beneficiary has died, and for benefits payment (as described) to the contingent beneficiary’s legal representative if the person has passed before certain accumulations are paid, as described, and makes technical and conforming changes to GS 128-4.28 (survivor benefits under the LRS).

Part VII.

Effective July 1, 2025, creates a separate line fund for line of duty death benefits in the TSERS Plan as described, in GS 135-154, as amended by the act.

 

Part I.
Titles the act as the “Protecting First Responders Act” or the “PROFR Act.”

Part II.

Amends GS 14-34.6 by increasing from a Class I to H felony the punishment for assault or affray causing physical injury on specified emergency responders and health care providers. Amends three of those six categories of responders and health care providers so that it now includes (1) an emergency medical services personnel (was, emergency medical technician or other emergency health care provider), (2) a member of a rescue squad or EMS service (was, a medical responder); and (3) adds in other emergency health care providers not covered under category (1) above.

Enacts new GS 14-286.3 making it a Class H felony to unlawfully and intentionally possess fentanyl or other harmful drug or chemical agents and expose an emergency responder (as defined). Increases the felony to Class G when the emergency responder suffers serious bodily injury due to the exposure. Makes it a Class I felony if a person knows fentanyl or other harmful drugs or chemical agents are unlawfully present at a location an emergency responder is responding to and willfully fails to notify the emergency responder of its presence within a reasonable time prior to the emergency responder arriving at the location.

Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2025.

Part III.

Appropriates $10,350,000 for 2025-26 from the General Fund to the North Carolina Office of Emergency Medical Services, to be distributed as grants to first responders (as defined) for the purchase of bulletproof vests and bulletproof backpack plates for paramedics and emergency medical technicians. Specifies that the funds do not revert until July 1, 2028. Effective July 1, 2025.

Part I.

Amends GS 135-5.3 by amending the provision under which a charter school is given provisional entry into the Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System (System) for one year to now allow the provisional entry to be extend by up to two additional years or allows the charter school, after the provisional year, to apply to become a participating employer in the System. Allows schools whose provisional entry is extended to apply to become a participating employer at any time during the extend period. Makes conforming changes to the timing of the required actuarial and financial reviews. Prohibits granting entry into the System to any charter school that is unable to provide the required information for the financial review.

Part II.

Amends GS 135-18.10A (applicable to the System); GS 128-38.4A (applicable to the North Carolina Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System); GS 135-75.1A (applicable to the Consolidated Judicial Retirement Act); and GS 120-4.33A (applicable to the Legislative Retirement System of North Carolina) to give each system’s Board of Trustees, instead of the State Treasurer, the power to make a decision on a reversal of benefit forfeiture for a person convicted of a felony.

Part III.

Amends GS 84-4.1 by amending the fee paid by an out-of-state attorney granted the ability to practice in a limited capacity so that $20 of the fee is transferred using the State’s electronic accounting system and changes the recipient from the State Treasurer to the North Carolina Administrative Office of the Courts.

Part IV.

Amends GS 147-86.73 (concerning administration of the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act) to prohibit the State from filing a claim, upon the death of a designated beneficiary for payment from the beneficiary’s account for any medical assistance paid for the designated beneficiary, unless it is required by federal law. Makes conforming changes.

Part V.

Amends GS 120-32, GS 135-3, GS 135-3, GS 135-5, GS 135-5.1, GS 135-27, and GS 143B-1491 by correcting a statutory cross-reference and making other clarifying changes.

Part VI.

Amends GS 153A-82, concerning educational requirements for county managers, and GS 160A-184, concerning educational requirements for city managers, to update the reference to the Local Government Commission’s authority to Article 11 of GS Chapter 159 and to refer to a letter instead of unit letter from the Commission. Amends GS 159-25 to update the reference to the Local Government Commission’s authority to Article 11 of GS Chapter 159.

Part VII.

Makes a clarifying change to GS 12-4.21. Amends GS 120-4.28 by making clarifying, organizational, and technical changes. Amends membership in the Board of Trustees of the North Carolina Local Governmental Employees' Retirement System by changing references to the Firemen’s and Rescue Squad Workers’ Pension Fund to the North Carolina Firefighters’ and Rescue Squad Workers Pension Fund; makes other technical and clarifying changes. Recodifies GS 128-26A as GS 128-26.1. Corrects a statutory cross-reference in GS 135-48.40.

Identical to S 164, filed 2/25/25.

Unless the conduct is covered under another provision of law providing greater punishment, establishes it as a Class F felony under GS 14-288.6 (looting and trespass during an emergency) for any person to enter the premises of another without legal justification, in a county located in an emergency area during a state of emergency, and without legal justification obtain or exert control over, damage, ransack, or destroy the temporary housing of another. Allows for recovery of three times the amount of actual damages, court costs, and attorneys’ fees in a civil suit by any person whose person or property is injured due to a violation of the above against a violator of the statute. Defines emergency area, state of emergency, and temporary housing. Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2025.

Appropriates $8 million from the Education Lottery Fund to the Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) for 2025-26 to be allocated to four listed Historically Black Colleges and University in an amount proportional to the number of undergraduate students enrolled at each eligible constituent institution who are residents of North Carolina and recipients of a federal Pell Grant. Effective July 1, 2025.

Requires the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Benefits (Division) to ensure that (1) a licensed health care provider providing health care services exclusively through telemedicine services is not required to maintain a physical presence in the state to be considered an eligible provider for enrollment as a Medicaid provider; and (2) a medical provider group with licensed heath care providers which exclusively offers telemedicine services is not required to have an in-state service address to be eligible to enroll as a Medicaid provider group.

Includes whereas clauses.

Repeals: (1) GS 115C-218.7(b), which provided that if a charter school has been identified as low-performing, then it is considered a material revision of the school's charter to increase its maximum authorized enrollment by more than 20% of the previous year's maximum authorized enrollment; and (2) GS 115C-218.8(2), which provided that it was not considered a material revision of a chart, and did not require prior approval, if a school is low-performing and has planned growth authorized in its charter, increased its maximum authorized enrollment during the charter school's second year of operation and annually thereafter in accordance with planned growth as authorized in its charter.

Amends GS 115C-218.45 to requires a charter school to include the school's performance grade for the previous five years on its enrollment application.

Amends GS 115C-218.94 to prohibit a low performing charter school from expanding enrollment, even if expansion was planned in its charter, until the school is no longer identified as low-performing. Revokes the charter of a charter school that is identified as continually low-performing for four consecutive years. Provides that if a charter school has been identified as continually low-performing for three consecutive years immediately preceding the expiration of its charter, the Review Board my allow the school to operate under its existing charter for an additional year; if the school is no longer low-performing during that additional year, allows the charter to be renewed.

Amends GS 115C-218.95 by making conforming changes removing the Review Board's authority to terminate, not renew, or seek applications to assume the charter for a charter school that is continually low performing. 

Amends GS 115C-218.123 by reducing the duration of the approval of a charter or charter modification for the creation of a remote charter academy to three (was, five) years. Makes conforming changes to GS 115C-218.124.

Applies beginning with the 2025-26 school year.

Enacts GS 90-21.5A, concerning the treatment of minors through vaccination schedules, as follows. Prevents a health care practitioner (defined) from refusing to accept a minor as a patient in their medical practice or at a hospital solely on the basis of the minor's refusal or the minor's parent, guardian, or custodian's refusal to comply with timing or frequency of the recommended vaccination and immunization schedule as set forth in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Child Immunization Schedule. Clarifies that a refusal to be vaccinated altogether cannot be construed to supersede a requirement under GS 130A-152 (required immunizations), but that a variance in the recommended schedule or a delay is allowed. Specifies that violations of the statute constitute unprofessional conduct under each healthcare practitioner’s occupational licensing board. Effective October 1, 2025.

Directs the NC Medical Board and Board of Nursing to adopt rules to implement the act.  Directs the Commission for Public Health to adopt rules to allow for exemptions for minors who delay the administration of an immunization or vaccination.

To be summarized.

Prevents the Insurance Commissioner (IC) from requiring an applicant for an insurance producer license or a resident applicant for a Medicare supplement and long-term care supplementary license to complete any specific amount of instruction or specific course in GS 58-33-30. Specifies that any producer training course developed to prepare an applicant for the examination required under GS 58-33-30(e) must be approved by the IC. Makes technical and conforming changes. Modifies GS 58-33-32 (interstate reciprocity in producer licensing) to authorize required pre-licensing education in such instances.

Applies to licensure applications submitted on or after October 1, 2025.

To be summarized.

Part I. Housing

Amends GS 41A-4, which delineates unlawful discriminatory housing practices, to refer to the protected status of another person as the basis for unlawful discrimination instead of listing specific protected classes (currently, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicapping condition, or familial status). Adds protected status to the defined terms in GS 41A-3 and defines the term to mean a person's race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or genetic information. Makes conforming changes to use a person's protected status language to replace specific classes of persons throughout GS 41A-4 and GS 41A-5 (concerning proof of a violation of GS 41A-4).

Amends GS 41A-6, which exempts from GS 41A-4 [except for subdivision (a)(6)] religious institutions and organizations operated by religions institutions or organizations that give preference to members of the same religion in a real estate transaction, so long as membership in that religion is not restricted by a protected status, other than religion (previously, specified race, color, sex, national origin, handicapping condition or familial status).

Part II. Employment

Amends GS 143-422.2 to establish that it is the public policy of the State to protect and safeguard the right and opportunity of all persons to seek, obtain and hold employment without discrimination or abridgment on account of race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital status, familial status, military or veteran status, or genetic information (previously, only protected race, religion, color, national origin, age, sex or handicap) by employers which regularly employ one or more employees (was, 15 or more employees).

Makes conforming changes to expand employment protections to those same classes added to GS 143-422.2 by this act, to GS 126-16 (Equal opportunity for employment and compensation by State departments and agencies and local political subdivisions) and GS 126-34.02(b) (concerning the appeal process for agency employment discrimination, harassment, and retaliation issues to be heard as contested cases).

Part III. Public Accommodations

Enacts Article 85 to GS Chapter 143, Equal Access to Public Accommodations, to be known as the Equal Access to Public Accommodations Act. Provides a legislative declaration that it is the public policy of the State to protect and safeguard the right and opportunity of all individuals within the State to enjoy fully and equally the goods, services, facilities, privileges, advantages, and accommodations of places of public accommodation free of discrimination because of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital status, familial status, military or veteran status, or genetic information.

Establishes that it is not discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity for a public accommodation to provide separate bathrooms or changing facilities based on gender. Mandates places of accommodation to provide access to facilities based on a person's gender identity. Defines place of public accommodations to have the same meaning as defined in GS 168A-3(8), but excludes any private club or other establishment that is not in fact open to the public.

Authorizes the Human Relations Commission (Commission) in the Department of Administration to receive, investigate, and conciliate complaints of discrimination in public accommodations, and directs the Commission to effect an amicable resolution. Provides that in the event the Commission cannot effect an amicable resolution of the charges of discrimination, the complainant and the Commission can proceed with an enforcement action in accordance with GS 41A-7 (State Fair Housing Act enforcement provisions).

Part IV. Credit

Enacts GS 75-45 to prohibit discrimination by any person engaged in any form of lending money in this State, or to residents of this State, in the extension of credit on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or genetic information. Allows complainants concerning violations of this statute to file a grievance with the Human Relations Commission. Directs the Commission to effect an amicable resolution, and in the event the Commission cannot effect an amicable resolution, the complainant and the Commission can proceed with an enforcement action in accordance with GS 41A-7, as similarly provided in GS 143-422.13 enacted by this act. Makes a violation of this statute an unfair trade practice in violation of GS 75-1.1.

Part V. Insurance

Amends GS 58-3-25 to prohibit discriminatory practices by insurers because of an individual's race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, military or veteran status, or genetic information (previously, only protected race, color, national or ethnic origin).

Part VI. Education

Amends GS 115C-47 to require each local board of education to adopt a policy to establish that the local board of education and school personnel employed by the local board must not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or genetic information. Requires that the policy include that any person who claims to have been injured by an unlawful discriminatory practice or who reasonably believes that he or she will be irrevocably injured by an unlawful discriminatory practice may file a complaint with the North Carolina Human Relations Commission. Requires the Commission to then work with the relevant parties to develop an amicable resolution to the charge of discrimination, and allows the complainant and the Commission to proceed with an enforcement action if the Commission is unable to effect an amicable resolution of the charges.

Enacts new GS 115C-112.10 prohibiting nonpublic schools that accept students receiving scholarships grants from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or genetic information. Allows person who claim to have been injured by an unlawful discriminatory practice or believes that they will be irrevocably injured by such to file a complaint with the North Carolina Human Relations Commission. Requires the Commission to then work with the relevant parties to develop an amicable resolution to the charge of discrimination, and allows the complainant and the Commission to proceed with an enforcement action if the Commission is unable to effect an amicable resolution of the charges.

Amends GS 115C-218.45 to expand the basis on which a charter school must not limit admission to also include color, age, sex, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or genetic information; removes creed and ancestry. Allows a charter school that serves only certain grade levels to limit admission based on age. 

Amends GS 115C-218.55 to prohibit a charter school from discriminating on the basis of national origin, race, color, religion, age, sex, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, genetic information, or disability (was, only ethnicity, national origin, gender, or disability). Allows any person who claims to have been injured by an unlawful discriminatory practice or who reasonably believes that he or she will be irrevocably injured by an unlawful discriminatory practice to file a complaint with the North Carolina Human Relations Commission. Requires the Commission to then work with the relevant parties to develop an amicable resolution to the charge of discrimination, and allows the complainant and the Commission to proceed with an enforcement action if the Commission is unable to effect an amicable resolution of the charges.

Repeals GS 115C-521.2.

Amends GS 115C-562.5 to prohibit a nonpublic school from discriminating on the basis of on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or genetic information. Allows any person who claims to have been injured by an unlawful discriminatory practice or who reasonably believes that he or she will be irrevocably injured by an unlawful discriminatory practice to file a complaint with the North Carolina Human Relations Commission. Requires the Commission to then work with the relevant parties to develop an amicable resolution to the charge of discrimination, and allows the complainant and the Commission to proceed with an enforcement action if the Commission is unable to effect an amicable resolution of the charges.

Amends GS 115D-77 to expand upon the State Board of Community Colleges and local board of trustees nondiscrimination policy to also prohibit discrimination on the basis of color, sex, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, and genetic information. Adds that the State Board and each board of trustees must give equal opportunity for employment and compensation of personnel at community colleges without regard to marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or genetic information, in addition to the already listed categories. Allows any person who claims to have been injured by an unlawful discriminatory practice or who reasonably believes that he or she will be irrevocably injured by an unlawful discriminatory practice to file a complaint with the North Carolina Human Relations Commission. Requires the Commission to then work with the relevant parties to develop an amicable resolution to the charge of discrimination, and allows the complainant and the Commission to proceed with an enforcement action if the Commission is unable to effect an amicable resolution of the charges.

Amends GS 116-11 to require the UNC Board of Governors to adopt a policy to provide that UNC and its affiliates and personnel employed by UNC and its affiliates must not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or genetic information. Requires that the policy include that any person who claims to have been injured by an unlawful discriminatory practice or who reasonably believes that he or she will be irrevocably injured by an unlawful discriminatory practice may file a complaint with the North Carolina Human Relations Commission. Requires the Commission to then work with the relevant parties to develop an amicable resolution to the charge of discrimination, and allows the complainant and the Commission to proceed with an enforcement action if the Commission is unable to effect an amicable resolution of the charges.

Part VII. Jury Service

Amends GS 15A-1214 to prohibit excluding a person from jury service on account of race, race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, sex, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity, military or veteran status, or genetic information.

Part VII.

Effective July 1, 2025. 

Identical to H 473, filed 3/20/25.

Enacts Article 1O to GS Chapter 90, titled Assisted Reproductive Technology. Bars the State or any political subdivision thereof from prohibiting, unreasonably limiting, or interfering with: (1) a patient's right to access assisted reproductive technology; (2) a health care provider's right to provide or assist with the provision of evidence-based information related to assisted reproductive technology; and (3) a health care provider's right to perform or assist with the performance of assisted reproductive technology. Prohibits a fertilized human egg or human embryo that exists outside of the uterus from being considered an unborn fetus, an unborn child, a minor child, a natural person, or any other term that connotes a human being for any purpose under State law. Defines "assisted reproductive technology" to mean all treatments or procedures that include the handling of human oocytes or human embryos, including in vitro fertilization, gamete intrafallopian transfer, and zygote intrafallopian transfer. Also defines "health care provider" and "health care service." Specifies that the new Article does not prohibit the enforcement of health and safety laws related to the operation of health care facilities or the provision of health care services by health care providers.

Appropriates $500,000 in recurring funds for each year of the 2025-27 fiscal biennium from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Benefits, to increase funding for Medicaid maternal support services, aka the Baby Love Program. Specifies that these funds provide a state match for federal funds.