AN ACT MAKING VARIOUS CHANGES TO THE MEDICAID PROGRAM AND OTHER CHANGES RELATED TO HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, IMPLEMENTING VARIOUS BUDGETARY ADJUSTMENTS, AND MAKING OTHER CHANGES IN THE BUDGET OPERATIONS OF THE STATE. SL 2026-1. Enacted April 30, 2026. Effective April 30, 2026, except as otherwise provided.

Section 1.

Appropriates $999,400 in recurring funds from the General Fund to the State Highway Patrol (SHP) starting in 2026-27 to fund twelve full-time State Trooper positions. Assigns those positions to State Highway Patrol District H5 of Troop H. Effective July 1, 2026.

Section 2.

Increases the number of magistrates assigned to Mecklenburg County from 38.5 to 43.5 in GS 7A-133. Appropriates $402,070 in recurring funds from the General Fund to the Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) starting in 2026-27 to hire those magistrates. Appropriates $15,140 from the General Fund to AOC for 2026-27 to hire those magistrates. Effective July 1, 2026.

Section 3.

Amends GS 20-217, which requires motor vehicles to stop for properly marked school buses when stopped in certain described instances, increasing the minimum fines as follows: for violation of the statute, from $500 to $1,000; for willful violation of the statute and also striking any person, from $1,250 to $4,500; and for willful violation of the statute and also striking a person that results in their death, from $2,500 to $7,000. Enacts a new subsection, establishing that it is prima facie evidence that the vehicle was operated by the person in whose name the vehicle was registered at the time of the violation whenever evidence is presented in any court or administrative hearing of the fact that a vehicle was operated in violation of the statute. Provides a similar provision with regard to operation by a renter of a rented vehicle. Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2026. 

Section 4.  

Amends GS 132-1.1 to prohibit highway camera video records stored by the Department  from being disclosed except as provided in new GS 132-1.7B.

Enacts new GS 132-1.7B, providing as follows. Sets out and defines terms, including defining highway camera as a Department of Transportation (DOT) video or digital camera, located on highway rights-of-way, for the purpose of monitoring vehicle traffic.

Requires highway cameras to record and store incidents when requested by law enforcement agencies to assist in the following types of incident investigations along interstates and highways: vehicle chases, hit-and-run crashes, road rage altercations, street races, street takeovers, and any other incident investigations law enforcement agencies feel would be supported and expedited by the use of this technology. Specifies that recordings under this statute are not public records. 

Allows a person to request disclosure of a recording through a written request to DOT that includes the name of the person making the request, date and approximate time of the activity, or otherwise identify the activity with reasonable particularity sufficient to identify the recording. Allows disclosure of a recording to only: (1) a person whose image or voice is in the recording; (2) a personal representative of an adult person whose image or voice is in the recording, if the adult person has consented to the disclosure; (3) a personal representative of a minor or of an adult person under lawful guardianship whose image or voice is in the recording; (4) a personal representative of a deceased person whose image or voice is in the recording; or (5) a personal representative of an adult person who is incapacitated and unable to provide consent to disclosure. Requires disclosing only the portions of the recording relevant to the person's request. Prohibits a person receiving disclosure from recording or copying the recording. Requires DOT to make the disclosure or deny the request as promptly as possible. Sets out six factors the Department is to consider when deciding whether to grant or deny the request. Sets out the procedure under which the person seeking disclosure may apply to the appropriate superior court for a review of the denial of disclosure when disclosure has been denied or disclosure has not been made more than three business days after the request. Sets out conditions under which the court may order disclosure. Sets out individuals that must be notified and given an opportunity to be heard at the hearing.

Provides that recordings are to be released only pursuant to court order. Allows any person requesting release of a recording to file an action in the appropriate superior court for an order releasing the recording. Requires the request to state the date and approximate time of the activity captured in the recording or otherwise identify the activity with reasonable particularity sufficient to identify the recording to which the action refers. Sets out factors the court is to consider in determining whether to order the release of all or a portion of the recording. Limits the release to only those portions of the recording relevant to the person's request and allows placing conditions or restrictions on the release. Sets out individuals that must be notified and given an opportunity to be heard at the hearing.

Requires DOT to disclose or release a recording to a district attorney (1) for review of potential criminal charges, (2) to comply with discovery requirements in a criminal prosecution, (3) for use in criminal proceedings in district court, or (4) for any other law enforcement purpose and allows disclosure or release of a recording for suspect identification or apprehension or to locate a missing or abducted person.

Provides that DOT is not required to retain any recording subject to this statute for more than 30 days, unless a court of competent jurisdiction orders otherwise.

Provides that no civil liability arises from compliance with the statute, so long as the acts or omissions are made in good faith. 

Allows DOT to charge a fee for making a copy of a recording for release, not to exceed the actual cost. Prohibits the court from awarding attorneys' fees.

Prohibits using recordings subject to the statute for fines or private investigation. Provides that no elected official may review recordings subject to this statute, unless they meet the statute's disclosure criteria; excludes a county sheriff or district attorney if review of the recordings is within the scope of a criminal investigation. 

Effective July 1, 2026.

Section 5.

Appropriates $3 million in recurring funds for 2026-27 from the Highway Fund to DOT to be used to expand the operational hours of the IMap and North Carolina Department of Transportation Metrolina Transportation Management Center in Charlotte to 24 hours a day, every day of the year. Allocates $15 million in recurring funds from the fund appropriated to DOT for 2026-27, and $20 million in nonrecurring funds, to be used to expand operational hours of the IMap and Metrolina Transportation Management Center to 24 hours a day, every day. Effective July 1, 2026.

Section 6.

Increases the fine from $250 to not less than $300 but not more than $500 for violation of GS 20-157 (failure to move one’s vehicle out of the way for law enforcement or other first responder vehicles). Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2026. Makes technical changes.

Section 7.

Requires a court to order a person who knowingly violates the street takeover law (GS 20-141.10) to pay restitution for the cost of the damages to the State if they cause damage to a curb, road surface, or any other portion of a public vehicular area. Makes technical changes. Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2026.

Section 8.

Adds GS 75A-10.4, establishing the offenses of death (A1 misdemeanor) and serious injury (Class 1 misdemeanor) by reckless boating. Sets forth the four elements of the crime: (1) the person unintentionally causes the death/serious injury; (2) while recklessly operating the boat in violation of GS 75A-10(a); (3) they were not engaged in the offense of impaired boating; and (4) the offense proximately caused the death/serious injury. Creates an aggravated offense for individuals with prior convictions under GS 75A-10(a) within seven years of the date of the death/serious injury. Prohibits double prosecutions. Applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2026.

Section 9.

Repeals GS 14-33(c)(7) (making it a Class A1 misdemeanor to assault a public transit operator, including a public employee or a private contractor employed as a public transit operator, when the operator is discharging or attempting to discharge his or her duties).

Adds GS 14-34.6A, making it a Class I felony if a person an assault causing physical injury on any public transit operator, including a public employee or a private contractor employed as a public transit operator, when the operator is discharging or attempting to discharge the operator's official duties. Makes it a Class D felony if the person uses a firearm unless the person’s conduct is covered by another provision of law providing greater punishment.

Section 10.

Effective when it becomes law, except as otherwise provided.

Includes whereas clauses.

Part I.

Directs the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to establish and administer a Maternal Care Access Grant Program (Program) to award grants to eligible entities to establish or expand programs for the prevention of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity among marginalized and underserved populations. Directs DHHS to establish eligibility requirements which must include that applicant organizations be led by individuals from communities that have historically experienced disparities in accessing health and human services. Directs DHHS to conduct outreach and provide application assistance. Lists three applicant criteria for which DHHS should give special consideration, including organizations that are based in and provide support for communities with high rates of adverse maternal health outcomes and significant racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes. Provides for grants between $10,000 and $50,000 and requires awards be geographically diversified. States further criteria for special consideration in recipient selection, including the previously described outreach criteria and other described program offerings. Requires DHHS to provide technical assistance to grant recipients in the ways described. Appropriates $5 million in recurring funds from the General Fund to DHHS, Division of Public Health (DPH) for 2026-27. Allocates funds in specified amounts to (1) establish a full-time Public Health Program Coordinator IV position with three listed duties; and (2) for grant awards and administration. Authorizes DHHS to hire a Public Health Program Coordinator. Directs DHHS to submit two reports to the specified NCGA committee and division, one by October 1, 2027, and one by October 1, 2028. Specified required content of each report. 

Part II.

Appropriates $2 million in recurring funds from the General Fund to DPH for 2026-27 to establish and administer a statewide Prostate Cancer Control Program to provide free or low-cost prostate cancer screenings and follow-up. Specifies the screenings and follow-up are available to all male North Carolina residents who are uninsured or underinsured, not a beneficiary of Medicare Part B or Medicaid, meet specified age and family history requirements, and have a household income below 250% of the federal poverty level.

Part III.

Repeals GS 58-65-92 and 58-67-76, which provide for coverage for mammograms and cervical cancer screening at hospital service corporations and health maintenance organizations. Recodifies GS 58-51-57, concerning coverage for mammograms and cervical cancer screening, as GS 58-3-271 and amends the statute as follows. Enacts ten defined terms. Directs every health benefit plan offered by an insurer in the State (was every policy or contract of accident or health insurance and every preferred provider benefit plan) to provide coverage for exams and lab tests for screening for early detection of cervical cancer and for low-dose screening mammography. Adds a new subsection to require health benefit plans offered by an insurer that provides benefits for a diagnostic or supplemental exam for breast cancer, as defined, to ensure that the cost-sharing requirements that apply are no less favorable than the cost-sharing requirements applicable to low-dose screening mammography. Lists four services for which an insurer is not required to reimburse a provider that is not contracted in the provider network of a health benefit plan offered by the insurer any rate more than the rate paid to a contracted provider: diagnostic, screening, or supplemental examination for breast cancer; low-dose mammography; breast ultrasound; and breast magnetic resonance imaging. References guidelines of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (was the American Cancer Society) regarding coverage for screening for the early detection of cervical cancer. Adds a new subsection providing for the statute's application when doing so would render the insured ineligible for a health savings account under section 223 of the IRS Code.

Amends GS 135-48.51 making the State Health Plan subject to GS 58-3-271 as amended. Effective July 1, 2026, appropriates $5 million in recurring funds from the General Fund to the State Treasurer for 2026-27 to ensure statutory compliance.

Applies to insurance contracts issued, renewed, or amended on or after October 1, 2026.

Part IV.

Recodifies GS 90-701 (Billing of anatomic pathology services) as GS 90-705.

Enacts GS 90-702 to defined six terms applicable to Article 41, now titled Transparency in Healthcare Provider Billing Practices. Enacts GS 90-704 to require healthcare providers who are not contracted with an insurer to participate in the provider network of a health benefit plan to accept the reimbursement amount provided by the insurer for breast cancer prevention services provided to individuals under a health benefit plan. Bars providers from billing a patient covered under a health benefit plan or requesting additional reimbursement from the insurer. Makes conforming changes to the title of Article 41. Applies to services provided on or after October 1, 2026.

Part V.

Effective July 1, 2026.

Section 1.

Repeals GS 115C-302.10 (detailing qualifications for certain education-based salary supplements). For 2026-27, applies State Board of Education policy TCP-A-006, as it was on June 30, 2013, to determine (1) whether teachers and instructional support personnel are paid on the "M" salary schedule and (2) whether they receive a salary supplement for academic preparation at the six-year or doctoral degree level. Appropriates $8 million in recurring funds for 2026-27 from the General Fund to DPI to reinstate the education-based salary supplements for teachers and instructional support personnel. Effective July 1, 2026.

Section 2.

Repeals GS 115C-296.2A (establishing the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) Certification (Certification) participation fee grant program).

Creates a forgivable loan program for the program fee for Certification participants in GS 115C-296.2. Directs the State Education Assistance Authority (Authority) to forgive the loan of the application fee if the teacher attains NBPTS certification within five years of applying for NBPTS certification, those that do not pass must repay the fee within eight years. Makes conforming changes. Allows the Authority to forgive the loan if the teacher dies or is totally or permanently disabled. Allows the Authority to establish a lottery for selection if there are insufficient funds to award forgivable loans. Appropriates $1.14 million from the General Fund to DPI in recurring funds beginning in 2026-27 to provide the forgivable loans.  

Section 3.

Sets a monthly teacher salary schedule for "A" teachers for 2026-27 for licensed public school personnel classified as teachers, based on years of experience, ranging from $6,000 for teachers with 0 years of experience to $10,365 for 30 or more years of experience. Provides for a 12% salary supplement for licensed teachers who have NBPTS certification; a 10% salary supplement for licensed teachers classified as "M" teachers; a $126 salary supplement for licensed teachers with licensure based on academic preparation at the six-year degree level, in addition to the "M" teachers salary supplement; a $253 salary supplement for licensed teachers with licensure based on academic preparation at the doctoral degree level, in addition to the "M" teachers salary supplement; a 10% salary supplement for certified school nurses; and monthly salary supplement of $100 for school counselors licensed at the master’s degree level or higher. Requires that the first step of the salary schedule for school psychologists, school speech pathologists licensed at the master's degree level or higher, and school audiologists licensed at the master's degree level or higher, must be equivalent to the sixth step of the "A" salary schedule. Provides for a salary supplement of the higher of $500 or 10%. Deems these employees eligible to receive salary supplements equivalent to those of teachers for academic preparation at the six-year degree level or the doctoral degree level. Requires that the twenty-sixth step of the salary schedule for school psychologists, school speech pathologists licensed at the master's degree level or higher, and school audiologists licensed at the master's degree level or higher must be 7.5% higher than the salary received by these same employees on the twenty-fifth step of the salary schedule. Provides that in lieu of the amounts of annual longevity payments to teachers paid on the teacher salary schedule, beginning with the 2014-15 fiscal year, the amounts of those longevity payments are included in the monthly amounts under the teacher salary schedule. Details teacher compensation for the 2026-27 school year based on either (1) the applicable salary schedule; (2) the sum of the salary the teacher received in 2013-14, longevity pay for the 2013-14 school year, and annual bonus provided in SL 2014-100; or (3) the sum of the salary and annual bonus the teacher received in the 2014-15 school year, with the compensation amount determined to be equal to the greater of those amounts. Provides that teacher includes instructional support personnel. Appropriates $4.39 billion in recurring funds beginning in 2026-27 from the General Fund to DPI for the teacher raises.

Section 4.

Adds GS 115C-302.5, establishing an Exploratory Sabbatical Grant Program (Program) for teachers to support teacher retention by allowing eligible teachers to take sabbaticals from their current teaching positions and serve as substitute teachers in other subjects, other schools located in the local school administrative unit, or both, while continuing to receive their salaries as full-time teachers. Defines department, eligible teacher (who, among other requirements must have worked as a public schoolteacher for 10 years) and Program. Provides for an application selection of teachers, and application timeline. Directs DPI to award a total of up to 500 teacher sabbatical positions and to allocate the number of awardees based on the number of eligible teachers in the unit. Instructs DPI to allocate one additional classroom teaching position to the local school administrative unit for that school year for every sabbatical position authorized by DPI under the Program. Requires the local school administrative unit where the teacher is employed to determine the minimum number of hours the teacher is required to work as a substitute teacher during the sabbatical. At the conclusion of the sabbatical, requires the local school administrative unit to offer the teacher a full-time teaching position somewhere within the unit unless the teacher is dismissed or demoted for cause. Specifies that the position need not be in the same location or the same grade level as the position the teacher vacated prior to taking the sabbatical. Requires DPI to report on the Program to the specified NCGA committee by March 15, 2028, and every year thereafter while the Program is in existence. Appropriates $40 million in recurring funds beginning in 2026-27 from the General Fund to DPI for Program grants. Effective July 1, 2026.

Section 5.

Under current law, GS 115C-84.2(d) sets the parameters within which local boards of education must determine the opening and closing dates of public schools under subdivision (a)(1) of this statute. Amends GS 115C-84.2(d) to provide the local boards of education with additional flexibility in adopting their school calendars by removing the specified opening and closing dates. No longer requires local boards to identify the statutory exemption allowing an earlier school start date in their reports on their instructional calendar submitted to the Superintendent of Public Instruction and State Board of Education and to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee.

Authorizes, in GS 115C-84.3, public school units to use up to 75 (currently, 5) remote instruction days or 450 remote instruction hours (currently, 30) towards the required instructional school calendar time (currently can only use such time under specified adverse conditions). Makes conforming changes. Increases the required information in a governing board’s remote instruction plan to include the number of remote instruction days or hours used in the prior school year as well as the number planned for the upcoming year. Requires the SBE to provide that same information in its annual report on remote instruction to the specified NCGA committee. Repeals GS 115C-105.26(b)(3) (concerning waivers to school calendar requirements to provide sufficient days to accommodate anticipated makeup days due to school closings).

Section 6.

Amends GS 115C-301.1 so that all full-time assigned classroom teachers are guaranteed a minimum of five duty-free planning hours per week (currently, no minimum guarantee and planning occur during regular student contact hours). Makes conforming changes. Makes technical and conforming changes to GS 115C-105.27(b) (school improvement plans).

Section 7.

Reenacts GS 115C-84.2(a)(4) as it existed immediately before its repeal and makes the following changes. Increases the number of minimum teacher workdays from five to nine days to be provided on the schedule listed.

Section 8.

Effective when it becomes law, except as otherwise provided.

Amends GS 14-202, as amended by SL 2025-70, by making it a Class A1 misdemeanor for a person to secretly peep into any room occupied by a minor or to secretly or surreptitiously peep underneath or through clothing worn by another using a mirror or other device to view the body or undergarments of that other person without consent and the victim is a minor (remains a Class 1 misdemeanor for either offense if victim is not a minor). Adds definition of minor (individual under 18 years old) to GS 14-202(b). Makes technical changes to numbering of definitions in that subsection to account for the new definition.

Further amends GS 14-202 by making it a Class I felony to secretly peep into any room while in possession of a device that can create images with the intent to create an image where the victim is a minor (remains a Class A1 misdemeanor where victim is not a minor); making it a Class H felony for any person to: (1) secretly peep into any room and use a device to create a photo of another person in the room for the purpose of arousal or gratification of sexual desire of any person where the victim is a minor; (2) knowingly, and with intent to, creates a photo of a private area of an individual without consent where the victim is a minor and has a reasonable expectation of privacy; (3) secretly or surreptitiously use or install any device that can be used to create an image in a room with intent to capture the image of another without consent and to do so for the purpose of arousal or gratification of the sexual desire of any person where the victim is a minor; or (4) knowingly possess an image that the person knows, or has reason to believe, was obtained in violation of GS 14-202 where the victim is a minor (all four offenses remain a Class I felony where victim is not a minor); and making it a Class G felony for any person to disseminate or allow dissemination of images that the person knows, or should have known, were obtained as a result of the violation of GS 14-202 if the dissemination is without consent of the person in the photo and the victim is a minor (remains a Class H felony where the victim is not a minor).

Effective December 1, 2026, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.

Appropriates $25,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to be used for costs incurred by DPS from developing a marketing campaign to make the public aware of GS 14-202, as amended by this act. Effective July 1, 2026.

Part I includes seven legislative findings related to long-term care of older adults.

Part II.

Enacts GS 108A-70.5A establishing state policy for individuals 55 or older to receive long-term services and supports funded by medical assistance programs in the most integrated setting appropriate to their needs. Creates a presumption of preference for home- and community-based services for purposes of Medicaid-funded long-term care services and supports unless institutional placement is medically unnecessary. Requires documentation that home- and community-based services are insufficient to meet clinical, functional, or safety needs to be placed or remain in an institutional long-term care setting. Details required assessment and documentation. Specifies that the statute does not limit an individual's right to choose an institutional setting if eligible and informed of available home- and community-based service options. Grants the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) implementing and rulemaking authority.

Enacts GS 108A-70.5B to require DHHS to ensure periodic medication review for individuals aged 55 or older receiving Medicaid-funded long-term services and supports. Incudes legislative findings and states the purpose of the reviews are to reduce preventable harm and unnecessary health expenditures. Lists four parameters of the medication reviews, including considering the cumulative medication burden drug-drug interactions, and drug-condition interactions. Requires the reviews be conducted by a licensed pharmacist, physician, or other qualified health care professional authorized by DHHS and acting within their scope of licensure. Authorizes DHHS to adopt rules to permit deprescribing and medication modification when clinically appropriate. Require medication review findings to be incorporated into the patient's care plan. Allows DHHS to implement review requirements through managed care contracts, clinical policy, or other administrative mechanisms and prioritize implementation based on highest risk of medication-related harm. 

Enacts GS 108A-70.5C to require DHHS to ensure that behavioral health assessment, treatment, and care coordination are integrated into the delivery of Medicaid-funded long-term services and supports for adults aged 55 or older. States the purpose of the statute is to ensure access to services to improve quality of life, reduce hospitalizations, and decrease reliance on inappropriate sedation or chemical restraint. Lists five parameters for behavioral health integration, including crisis intervention strategies that reduce emergency department visits and hospitalizations. Requires DHHS to promote care models and clinical practices that prioritize nonpharmacological and person-centered interventions and discourage the use of antipsychotics, sedatives, or other medications that are not clinically indicated. Authorizes DHHS to implement the requirements through clinical policy, managed care contracts, provider standards, care management requirements, or other administrative mechanisms and prioritize implementation based on highest risk of behavioral health-related hospitalization or institutional placement. Authorizes DHHS to support training and technical assistance for providers and care managers related to geriatric behavioral health and dementia-capable care expertise.

Enacts GS 108A-70.5D to direct DHHS to authorize and promote screening for social isolation and loneliness among adults aged 55 or older receiving Medicaid-funded long-term services and supports using evidence-based tools approved by DHHS. States the purpose of the statute is to prevent avoidable health decline, functional impairment, and progression to more serious mental health conditions. Provides three permissible actions that may follow screening, including care coordination, referrals, and service decision making. Requires social isolation and loneliness identified through screening to be grounds for Medicaid-funded care coordination, assessment, and referral services. Specifies these conditions do not require coverage of nonmedical housing nor substitute clinical evaluations. Authorizes DHHS to implement the requirements through clinical policy, care management requirements, managed care contracts, or other administrative mechanisms and prioritize implementation based on higher risk of hospitalization, functional decline, or institutional placement.

Part III.

Directs DHHS to establish and conduct an integrated senior housing and care pilot program (program). States the purpose of the program and lists four criteria that must be met for DHHS and any selected partner entity to launch the pilot facility, including that residents retain tenancy rights and receive health and supportive services through integrated on-site or affiliated providers. Grants DHHS four authorities with regard to the program, including establishing a selection process for contracts, structuring the program as a public-private partnership, coordinating state and federal support, and adopting necessary rules. Appropriates $120 million from the General Fund to DHHS for 2026-27 to establish and conduct the program. Lists four permissible uses of the funds and specifies that the fund remain available until expended. Directs DHHS to annually report to the specified NCGA committee and division by May 1, 2028, until funds are expended, on the implementation and operation of the program. Specified required content. Terminates the program at the end of the fiscal year in which appropriated funds are expended.

Directs the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman to strengthen the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTC Program) in four specific ways including reducing the backlog of complaints received by the LTC Program. Directs the office to develop and implement a staffing and regional coverage plan for the LTC Program by January 1, 2027, that meets five benchmarks, including supporting complaint intake, investigation, resolution, and follow-up. Appropriates $3.5 million in recurring funds from the General Fund to the Office to improve the LTC program and implement the staffing and regional coverage plan. Lists seven permissible uses of appropriated funds. Directs the Office to annually report to the specified NCGA committee and division on the status of implementation beginning December 1, 2027. Specified required content.

Enacts GS 143B-181.87 to direct DHHS to establish a geriatric workforce pipeline and direct care career advancement program (advancement program). Requires consultation with specified agencies and licensing boards. States the advancement program's purpose is to increase the supply, distribution, retention, and advancement of workers prepared to serve older adults in a variety of settings. Lists seven benchmarks for the advancement program including implementing recruitment initiatives targets to rural counties, underserved communities, and areas experiencing workforce shortages in the geriatric and long-term care settings. Authorizes funding loan forgiveness and similar initiatives for eligible individuals committing to practice in these settings in the State for a minimum period of time set by DHHS. Details required priority for workforce investments. Requires recognition of credentials developed under the advancement program across participating employers and training institutions to the extent practicable. Directs DHHS to annually report to the specified NCGA committees and division on implementation and operation of the advancement program. Specified required content.

Appropriates $10 million in recurring funds from the General Fund to DHHS for implementation of the geriatric workforce pipeline and advancement program.

Directs DHHS, Division of Health Benefits (DHB) to take action to support implementation of the pilot program for eligible caregivers of Medicaid beneficiaries receiving long-term services and supports as specified. States the purpose of the pilot program is to authorize a Medicaid-funded family caregiver support stipend to reduce caregiver burnout, delay or prevent avoidable institutionalization, and support older adults in home- and community-based settings. Directs DHB to implement the pilot program subject to federal approval. Caps the monthly stipend at $400 to each eligible family caregiver per eligible care recipient. Directs DHB to adopt rules or clinical coverage policies to establish (1) eligibility criteria for recipients and family caregivers that include at least four listed criteria, including that the family caregiver satisfies any training, documentation, and program integrity requirements; and (2) guardrails for the program that can include six listed options, such as safeguards to protect beneficiary choice, health, safety, and quality of care. Directs DHB to report to the specified NCGA committee and division within six months of federal approval and annually thereafter. Specifies required content. Clarifies no entitlement to a stipend exists without federal approval and legislative appropriation. Appropriates $13.5 million in recurring funds and $750,000 in nonrecurring funds from the General Fund for 2026-27 to DHB for implementation of the pilot program. Specifies that unexpended funds revert. Sunsets the directives two years from the date the act becomes law.

Creates the Aging Study Commission (Commission) to study and recommend legislative changes necessary for the State's response to the needs of the aging population. Lists eight issues the Commission must address, including financing and sustainability of services for older adults and oversight, quality, and accountability in long-term care settings. Identifies Commission membership and appointment. Includes 15 voting members, with 12 legislatively appointed and three gubernatorially appointed, and five ex officio members. Provides for Commission meetings and staffing. Directs the Commission to report to the NCGA by December 31, 2027. Terminates the Commission upon submission of the report.

Effective July 1, 2026.

Contains whereas clauses.

Section 1

Appropriates $2.6 million for 2026-27 from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) for the development, expansion, or continuation of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education programs that assist students in developing the academic background necessary to pursue opportunities in quantum computing later. Of that, $2 million must be equally divided among public school units within the geographical boundaries of any local school administrative unit containing a military base or installation, and $200,000 each to Durham Public Schools, Orange County Schools, and Wake County Schools. Provides list detailing what the allocated funds may be used for. Requires DPI to report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee no later than April 1, 2027 on the listed information related to use of this funding.

Effective July 1, 2026.

Section 2

Establishes the Quantum Computing Grant Program (Program). Mandates that the North Carolina Collaboratory (Collaboratory) administer the Program for the 2026-27 academic year. Program’s purpose is to provide opportunities for NC public high school students and Department of Defense schools to work with higher education institutions on current issues in quantum computing and other emerging technologies. Provides definitions applicable to this section, including (1) Collaboratory, (2) eligible high school (including schools located in a public school unit or a Department of Defense school in NC), (3) eligible institution of higher education (higher education institution that has demonstrated ability to collaborate with public school units located near the Research Triangle region of the state, including listed units, and that has a formal partnership with the US Department of Defense related to research and workforce development), and (4) institution of higher education (constituent institution of The University of North Carolina (UNC), NC community college, or eligible private postsecondary institution). Provides eligibility and application information for the Program and caps grant awards at $50,000 per eligible institution of higher education. Provides permitted use of grant funds. Requires the Collaboratory to report listed information related to Program and the grants awarded to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee and the Fiscal Research Division no later than February 15, 2027.

Appropriates $200,000 for 2026-27 from the General Fund to the Board of Governors of UNC to be allocated to the Collaboratory to grant awards pursuant to the Program.

Effective July 1, 2026.

Section 3

Amends GS Chapter 105, Part 2 of Article 4 by adding new GS 105-153.12, which defines (1) eligible business as a business (1) in the defense, technology, computing, cybersecurity, or quantum sector, or that has a service line in quantum computing, (2) subject to income tax under this Article, and (3) that has eligible expenses and defines eligible expenses as costs invested by an eligible business into collaborative or experiential learning opportunities with NC high school students either during the school year or through summer programs, complies with all relevant state and federal nondiscrimination laws, and offers those students the opportunity to use lab space, computing power, or incorporate expertise and resources not typically available to high school students into an applied learning project that will either increase interest in quantum computing careers or better prepare students to succeed in a quantum computing program or career after graduating high school. Allows credit equal to taxpayer’s eligible expenses, up to $100,000, for eligible business taxpayers against tax imposed by Article’s Part 2 Individual Income Tax. Sets aggregate limitation of credits to $10 million for all taxpayers for any one calendar year. Provides application process for eligible businesses and mandates for the Department of Revenue related to creating this application and review and approval of submitted applications. Provides that credits will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis if amounts exceed maximum aggregate limit. Requires report from the Department of Revenue by June 30 each year that includes listed information related to such applications and tax credits allowed during the previous calendar year to the Joint Legislative Committee on Governmental Operations and the Fiscal Research Division.

Effective January 1, 2027.

Enacts Part 2C, the Child Welfare Case Escalation Team, to Article 1 of GS Chapter 108A, requiring the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to maintain a Child Welfare Case Escalation Team (team) of representatives for each regional social services department that conducts escalation assessments of juveniles that have a history of child protective services attention due to a combination of safety and risk factors. Sets three purposes of the teams: (1) support county departments of social services (county DSS); (2) provide an additional level of review to ensure child safety statewide; and (3) provide quality assurance of the child protective services history of a family who has returned to the attention of child protective services, including assessing the quality of prior service intervention and further decisions of  services provided to ensure the safety and well-being of juveniles moving  forward with the family. Requires DHHS to staff the team, including the assigned manager and escalation specialists. Directs the team to coordinate with the specified social services and law enforcement officials. Defines six terms applicable to new Part 2C in GS 108A-15.26. Sets out the following criteria that trigger team involvement in a report of abuse or neglect to screen in GS 108A-15.27: (1) extensive child welfare history, (2) three or more reports within a 12-month period involving the same or similar allegations that were screened out that indicate a pattern of concern despite prior screening decisions, (3) history of prior removal and placement into foster care, such as previous removal of juveniles from the home due to similar or identical allegations, (4) three or more substantiated findings involving the family that demonstrate a pattern consistent with chronic or habitual neglect, or (5) ongoing medical or mental health neglect, such as repeated reports indicating failure to address juveniles' medical or mental health needs with allegations consistent across multiple reports and time frames. Provides for notice and information sharing. Tasks the team escalation specialist in GS 108A-15.28, with assessing the child welfare history, identify gaps in services and other areas that impact safety of the juvenile, review the overall safety planning for the juvenile in the current assessment to determine if there are additional steps required to ensure safety, and to create a timeline of CPS interventions. Directs the escalation specialist and other team members to provide technical assistance and for the escalation specialist to collaborate with the county DSS as described. Directs the county DSS to respond to unaddressed safety concerns identified though the team’s review process immediately or within the same day of notification. Specifies that the team and other assigned and DHHS staff will review records to ensure that practices that have deficiencies are corrected and there is communication with county department staff and others to improve child welfare practice at all levels across the county departments of social services.

Appropriates $550,000 in recurring funds beginning in 2026-27 from the General Fund to DHHS for six full-time equivalent positions, including human services program consultants and one human services program manager, to staff and implement the team along with $157 in federal receipts beginning 2026-27. Effective July 1, 2026.

Directs DHHS’s Division of Social Services (Division) to explore means and resources needed to automate and reduce the burden on the county workforce to alert DHHS of escalation reviews, as described. Instructs DHHS to amend its protocols and rules as necessary to integrate team involvement into the entry of a private residence to ensure seamless and coordinate assistance for high-risk juveniles at risk of abuse or neglect.

Section 2.

Requires the Division to adopt rules amending Subchapter 70A of the North Carolina Administrative Code and update associated Division policies, Child Protective Services Assessments Policy, Protocol, and Guidance, and the Partnership and Technology Hub for North Carolina to require directors of departments of social services to require photographs or video evidence be gathered during an initial investigative assessment response or initial family assessment response if evidence tends to show a juvenile subject to the assessment has been alleged to be abused or neglected. Requires, in GS 7B-302, a law enforcement agency to show by clear and convincing evidence in a judicial action to prevent disclosure of information requested by the team that disclosure of the information in question will jeopardize the right of the State to prosecute a defendant or the right of a defendant to receive a fair trial or will undermine an ongoing or future investigation. Adds instances when a report alleges suspected abuse or neglect of a high-risk juvenile and the team has been activated and is assisting the county DSS in conducting the assessment at the juvenile’s residence as one of the grounds for entry of a private residence for assessment purposes.

Section 3.

Appropriates $100,000 from the General Fund to DHHS for 2026-27 for training for the specified social workers and employees to recognize abuse and neglect, as specified. Effective July 1, 2026.

Section 4.

Effective October 1, 2026, unless otherwise indicated.

Identical to S 915, filed on 4/29/26.

Due to the fact that Governor Stein's proposed budget was released on April 21, 2026, and has been available to the public in advance of the filing of H 1146, we will not be including a summary of the bill version of his budget. For the content of the bill, please follow the link to the bill on the General Assembly's site above. Further information on the Governor's proposed budget can also be found on the Office of State Budget and Management's website at: https://www.osbm.nc.gov/budget/governors-budget-recommendations.

Appropriates $2 million in recurring funds beginning in 2026-27 from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education, as title indicates.

Effective July 1, 2026.

Adds new GS Chapter 99F, North Carolina Constitutional Rights Act, which includes:

(1) GS 99F-1: Sets out legislative findings and defines under color of law to include any actions taken under the actual or apparent authority of any law, statute, regulation, custom, or usage of any state, territory, or local government, or of the US, for purposes of the chapter; 

(2) GS 99F-2: Permits any person within NC jurisdiction to bring a civil action against any other person who, under color of law, deprives any person within NC of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the US Constitution. Allows filing in any county permitted under GS 1-82 or where the alleged violation occurred. Provides permitted relief;

(3) GS 99F-3: Provides permitted defenses and immunities;

(4) GS 99F-4: Requires action under this Chapter to commence within three years after the cause of action accrue; 

(5) GS 99F-5: Provides statutory construction provisions; and

(6) GS 99F-6: Contains severability clause for the provisions and applications of the chapter.

Effective October 1, 2026, and applies to causes of actions occurring on or after that date.

Appropriates $150,000 for 2026-27 from the General Fund to the Department of Justice to be used as title indicates, effective July 1, 2026.

Expands the causes of action for interference with civil rights available under GS 99D-1 to authorize suit under that statute by a person injured during civil immigration enforcement against an individual who violates the North Carolina Constitution during the enforcement, whether or not the defendant was acting under color of law at the time. Allows such plaintiffs to seek any of the remedies in GS 99D-1(b), including punitive damages and attorneys' fees. Provides that the listed immunities do not apply to a defendant in such a civil action to the extent permissible under the United States Constitution.

Contains severability clause.

Appropriates $50,000 for 2026-27 from the General Fund to the Office of State Budget and Management to design and prepare a downloadable “Know Your Rights” pamphlet. Describes requirements for pamphlet content and distribution.

Appropriates $4 million for 2026-27 from the General Fund to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) to be allocated to the Carolina Farm Stewardship Organization to provide grants for the FarmSHARE program. Requires DACS to report to the specified NCGA committees and division by October 1 annually until all funds have been expended. Describes minimum report requirements.

Appropriates $2 million for 2026-27 from the General Fund to DACS for a grant to the North Carolina Farmers Market Network to provide grants administered by the Double Up Food Bucks Program. Requires DACS to report to the specified NCGA committees and division by October 1 annually until all funds have been expended. Describes minimum report requirements.

Effective July 1, 2026.

Allows wastewater permittees under GS 143-215.1(f3) to calculate wastewater flows for new dwelling units that discharge to wastewater systems serving two or more dwelling units that have yet to be connected at a flow rate less than 75 gallons per day per bedroom with approval from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Requires DEQ approval to be based on permittee’s demonstration that the calculated flow rate corresponds to average actual flow during the last calendar year and that such flow rate will not adversely impact public health or the environment. Prohibits DEQ from approving flow rates for new dwelling units calculated to be less than 55 gallons per day per bedroom. Makes conforming changes.

Appropriates $10,000 for 2026-27 from the General Fund to DEQ to review wastewater design flow rates proposed by permitted wastewater treatment systems in accordance with the act.

Effective July 1, 2026.

Requires the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education (Division) to increase the child care subsidy market rates to the 75th percentile for children in three-, four-, and five-star-rated child care centers and homes beginning July 1, 2026 as recommended by the 2023 Child Care Market Rate Study (2023 Study). Mandates Division automatically increase the rates to the 75th percentile of those recommended rates whenever new rates are recommended in subsequent studies to begin July 1 of the next fiscal year. Appropriates $60 million in recurring funds for 2026-27 from the General Fund and $20 million in recurring funds for 2026-27 from the Child Care and Development Fund Block Grant to the Division, to be used to implement these market rate increases.

Beginning July 1, 2026, payment rates for child care providers in counties that have a county rate below the State rate for center-based and home-based care are set at the 75th percentile statewide market rate as recommended by the 2023 Study for children birth through five years old for licensed centers and homes, unless it is demonstrated that statewide rate application to a county with less than 50 children in each age group is lower than the county market rate and would inhibit the county’s ability to purchase child care for low-income children. If that is the case, the county market rate may be applied. Appropriates $160 million in recurring funds for 2026-27 from the General Fund to the Division to implement this statewide floor.

Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends Section 9D.3.(b) of SL 2023-134 to lower the fees required from parents purchasing subsidized child care services from 10% to 7% of gross family income starting October 1, 2026.

Appropriates $25,000,000 in recurring funds from the General Fund for 2026-2027 to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Child Development and Early Education, to implement the reduction in fees required by the act.

Effective July 1, 2026.

Amends Taylor’s Law, Establishing the Advisory Council on Rare Diseases, as follows. Amends GS 130A-33.65 by changing the location of the Advisory Council from within the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine to the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). Changes the number of the Advisory Council to 19 members and removes the appointing authority of the Dean of the School of Medicine at UNC-Chapel Hill. Instead, allows the DHHS Secretary to appoint 15 members in line with the qualifications listed in the statute.

Amends the appointed membership as follows:

• increases number of physicians from one to two;
• removes rare disease survivor, rare disease foundation, parent of childhood rare disease survivor, and medical researcher appointees;
• removes appointees who are chairs of the NCGA Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services, or their designees;
• decreases the number of researchers from State academic research institutions to one receiving any grant funding for rare disease research (currently one representative per State institution receiving any such grant funding);
• adds the following appointees:
  • one hospital administrator, or the hospital administrator's designee, representing a hospital in the State that provides care to persons diagnosed with a rare disease;
  • two persons age 18 or older who have been diagnosed with a rare disease; two persons age 18 or older who are, or were previously, caregivers to a person diagnosed with a rare disease;  
  • one representative of a rare disease patient organization that operates in the State;
  • one pharmacist licensed and practicing in this State with knowledge and experience regarding drugs used to treat rare diseases;
  • one representative of the life sciences, biotechnology, or biopharmaceutical industry that either focuses on research efforts related to the development of therapeutic products for persons diagnosed with a rare disease or has demonstrable understanding of the path to commercialization of such products;
  • two representatives of a health benefit plan or health insurer, at least one of whom is a representative of a North Carolina Medicaid Managed Care health plan;
  • one genetic counselor with experience providing services to persons diagnosed with a rare disease or caregivers of persons diagnosed with a rare disease;
  • one member appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate;
  • one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives; and
  • one member appointed by the Governor. 

Provides for terms for each of the initial appointed representatives and term limits of three consecutive terms, except that the initial physician member and initial member representing a rare disease patient organization can serve up to four terms. Thereafter, directs that members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Governor will serve for a term of two years and members appointed by the Secretary will serve for a term of two, three, or four years as determined by the chair of the advisory council. Provides for filling vacancies, member removal, and selection of a chair by a majority vote. Requires that the Advisory Council meet at least quarterly (currently, just need to meet). Makes technical and conforming changes.

Amends GS 130A-33.66, pertaining to the Advisory Council’s powers and duties as follows. Specifies that the Advisory Council should advise the Governor, the DHHS Secretary, and General Assembly on all of the following, in addition to powers already listed in the statute: coordination of statewide efforts to increase public awareness and understanding of rare diseases, identification of policy issues related to rare diseases and the advancement of policy initiatives related to rare diseases at the State and federal levels, and the appropriation of State funds to facilitate increased public awareness of and improved treatment for rare diseases. Requires the Advisory Council to, in consultation with certain medical schools, other educational institutions with specified programs, and hospitals in the State that provide services to persons with rare diseases, develop resources or recommendations regarding quality of and access to treatment and services available within North Carolina for persons diagnosed with a rare disease. Now requires the Advisory Council to advise and consult with DHHS and other specified boards and panels in developing recommendations, resources, and programs relating to the diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases. Now requires the Advisory Council to identify additional relevant areas for the advisory council to study and evaluate. Makes technical changes.  

Effective July 1, 2026, appropriates from the General Fund to DHHS the sum of $250,000 in recurring funds for 2026-27 fiscal year to be allocated to cover the administrative costs of the Advisory Council on Rare Diseases.

Appropriates $210,800 for 2026-27 from the General Fund to the Office of State Budget and Management to provide a directed grant to Bodegas Alvarado Inc., a nonprofit, to assist in the completion of a community center in Winston-Salem.

Effective July 1, 2026.

Creates new GS 17F-15 to prohibit any sheriff’s office; criminal justice agency or criminal justice officer, as defined by GS 17C-2; or any justice officer, as defined by GS 17E-2, from assisting United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement in the (1) apprehension or arrest of persons for alleged or suspected immigration violations or (2) service of warrants for removal from the United States. Prohibits any criminal justice officer, as defined by GS 17C-2, or any justice officer, as defined by GS 17E-2, from being deputized by ICE for these purposes. Provides that any current or future memorandum, agreement, or contract between ICE and a criminal justice agency or sheriff’s office shall be void to the extent it violates these prohibitions. Requires the Criminal Justice Education and Training Standards Commission and the Sheriff’s Education and Training Standards Commission to promulgate rules consistent with GS 17F-15.

Amends GS 105-164.3 to define tariff-affected goods of 2026 as any item subject to NC sales tax that has increased in price in 2026 by more than 50% due to federal tariff modifications made and implemented in 2025, as determined, announced, and made publicly available by the NC Department of Commerce. Amends GS 105-164.13 to exempt from retail sales and use tax, during fiscal year 2025-26, the sale of tariff-affected goods.

Directs the NC Department of Health and Human Services to consider alternatives to decreased or terminated federal funding related to state biomedical initiatives, state health initiatives, and state biomedical and health-related research. Directs NC DHHS to report any findings and recommendations made pursuant to this directive to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services no later than March 1, 2027.

Directs the State Board of Education, the UNC Board of Governors, and the State Board of Community Colleges to report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee by March 15, 2027, on federal education funds eliminated by the federal Department of Government Efficiency and any actions taken or that need to be taken to replace those funds, or if the funds cannot be replaced, to achieve the purposes for which the funds were intended. The report must include (1) an estimate of the total cost of the reduced, suspended, or cancelled grants from the National Institutes of Health to the in-state operations of entities registered, headquartered, or doing business in the state and (2) a proposal to appropriate 50% the total value of the identified loss in NIH funding to create the NC Institute of Health to grant funds for biomedical and health research and innovation in North Carolina. Provides that the NC NIH be housed within the NC Department of Health and Human Services with a fund operated at the discretion of the NC Secretary of HHS. Requires the Secretary to distribute funds according to an open grant application process that considers the geographic distribution of awardees, to draw funds from the value of funding lost in the current fiscal year only, and to fully distribute the fund by the end of fiscal year 2027.

Expresses the intent of the General Assembly to take every action necessary to keep the promises of federal agencies working in North Carolina and to ensure that benefits through the NC Medicaid Program remain available to eligible North Carolinians regardless of any federal action. 

Appropriates $50,00 in recurring funds for 2026-27 from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services to establish and operate the North Carolina Institute of Health pending the outcome of this Act. The funds shall revert back to the General Fund no later than May 1, 2027, if the proposal to create the North Carolina Institute of Health is unfavorable. 

Includes a severability clause.

Establishes the Master’s League Athlete Mindset Advantage Pilot Program (Program) for the 2026-27 school year to promote mental performance, emotional wellness, and resilience among student-athletes through a structured, preventative model of support. Requires the Program to provide mandatory mindset and wellness sessions, coordinated support services, and collaboration among mental health professionals, coaches, physicians, and athlete mentors. Lists three high schools that are authorized to participate in the Program. Structures the Program with two components: (1) mandatory participation in mindset session and (2) two mindset sessions per academic quarter led by mental health professionals, and one-on-one sessions for support when needed, subject to parental approval. Provides for anonymous surveys.  Requires Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools to report to the specified NCGA committee on the aggregated results of the surveys and the other matters described.

Appropriates $180,000 to the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) for 2026-27 to provide a directed grant to the named nonprofit to implement the Program, as specified. Authorizes $30,000 of the appropriated funds to be used for costs associated with securing and operating an off-site facility for the Program.

Effective July 1, 2026.

Identical to S 906, filed on 4/29/26.

Includes whereas clauses.

Part I.

Requires the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to establish and operate a Maternal Mortality Prevention Grant Program (grant program) to award grants to eligible entities to establish or expand programs for the prevention of maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity among black women. Requires applicants to be community-based organizations offering programs and resources aligned with evidence-based practices for improving maternal health outcomes for black women. Requires DHHS, beginning July 1, 2026, to conduct outreach to encourage eligible applicants to apply and provide application assistance. Awards grants with amounts ranging from $10,000 to $50,000. Sets out criteria to be considered when awarding the grants. Sets out the types of technical assistance DHHS must provide. Requires DHHS to report to the specified NCGA committee and division by October 1, 2027, and October 1, 2028; sets out issues to be addressed in the report.

Appropriates the following recurring funds from the General Fund to DHHS, Division of Public Health, beginning in 2026-27 biennium: (1) $93,513 to establish a time limited, full-time Public Health Program Coordinator IV position to provide application assistance and technical assistance to recipients, and prepare the required report and (2) $4,906,487 to be allocated to the Maternal Mortality Prevention Grant Program. Allows up to 1% of these funds to be used for administrative purposes related to the grant program. Authorizes DHHS to hire one full-time, time-limited Public Health Program Coordinator IV position. Effective July 1, 2026.

Part II.

Enacts new GS 130A-33.62, providing as follows. Requires DHHS, in collaboration with (1) community-based organizations led by black women that serve primarily black birthing people and (2) a historically black college or university or other institution that primarily serves minority populations to create or identify an evidence-based implicit bias training program (training program) for health care professionals involved in perinatal care (the provision of care during pregnancy, labor, delivery, and postpartum and neonatal periods). Sets out 12 minimum components of the training program, including identification of previous or current unconscious biases and misinformation; identification of personal, interpersonal, institutional, structural, and cultural barriers to inclusion; corrective measures to decrease implicit bias at the interpersonal and institutional levels; and information about how to communicate more effectively across identities. Requires all health care professionals to complete the training program, specifying deadlines for completion depending on whether the individual is licensed before or after January 1, 2027. Requires proof of completion for license/registration/accreditation/certification renewal. Defines a health care professional as a licensed physician or other health care provider licensed, registered, accredited, or certified to perform perinatal care and regulated under the authority of a health care professional licensing authority. Encourages DHHS to seek opportunities to make the training program available to all health care professions and to promote its use among four specified types of providers and programs. Requires DHHS to collect specified information related to maternal mortality to inform ongoing improvements to the training program.

Enacts GS 130A-33.63 specifying that a patient getting care at a perinatal care facility (a hospital, clinic, or birthing center providing perinatal care in the state) has six listed rights, including: to be informed of continuing health care requirements following discharge; to actively participate in decisions regarding the patient's medical care and the right to refuse treatment; and to receive care and treatment free from discrimination on the basis of age, race, ethnicity, color, religion, ancestry, disability, medical condition, genetic  information, marital status, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, citizenship, nationality, immigration status, primary language, or language proficiency. Requires perinatal care facilities to provide patients upon admission with a written copy of the rights.

Effective October 1, 2026.

Appropriates $2.5 million in recurring funds beginning in 2026-27 biennium from the General Fund to DHHS, Division of Public Health, to establish and administer the training. Effective July 1, 2026.

Part III.

Appropriates $3 million for 2026-27 from the General Fund to the UNC Board of Governors for recruiting, training, and retaining a diverse workforce of lactation support professionals in North Carolina by supporting the infrastructure and sustainability of training programs for lactation support professionals at Historically Black Colleges and Universities located within the State, to be distributed equally between Bennett College, Fayetteville State University, Johnson C. Smith University, North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University, and North Carolina Central University to cover costs of administering a training program for lactation support professionals, including specified costs that include student aid. Requires DHHS to give technical assistance to those schools concerning developing training content, recruitment from historically marginalized populations to enroll, recruitment of historically underutilized providers to serve as teachers and preceptors, and identifying rural and medically underserved areas of the State experiencing a shortage of lactation support professionals in order to recruit program graduates to work in these areas. Requires a report by May 1, 2029, to the specified NCGA committees on the benefits the state received due to the funding of the training programs. Sets out items that must be included in the report. Effective July 1, 2026.

Part IV.

Requires DHHS to establish a Perinatal Education Grant Program awarding competitive grants to eligible entities to establish or expand perinatal education programs in rural, underserved, or low-wealth areas of the State. Defines perinatal education program as one that operates for the primary purpose of educating pregnant women and their families about healthy pregnancy, preparation for labor and birth, breast feeding, newborn care, or any combination of these. Requires applicants to be community-based organizations that offer perinatal education and resources aligned with evidence-based practices for improving maternal health outcomes for black women. Requires DHHS to conduct outreach and application assistance beginning September 1, 2026. Requires outreach to give special consideration to eligible applicants who: (1) are based in, and provide support for, communities with high rates of adverse maternal health outcomes and significant racial and ethnic disparities in maternal health outcomes; (2) are led by black women; and (3) offer programs and resources that are aligned with evidence-based practices for improving maternal health outcomes for black women.

Requires individual grants to be no less than $10,000 or more than $50,000. Terminates the program on June 30, 2028. Requires DHHS to submit a report to the specified NCGA committee and division by October 1, 2029, on the specified information. Appropriates $3 million for 2026-27 from the General Fund to DHHS for this grant program; allows DHHS to use up to 5% of these funds for administrative purposes. Effective July 1, 2026.

Part V.

Appropriates $6.5 million for 2026-27 from the General Fund to DHHS, Division of Public Health (DPH) to create a Momni-Bus Initiative to fund efforts to expand access to maternal and infant health care and parenting programs, supports, and services to families residing in geographic areas of the State where there is limited or no access to maternity care services, including obstetric providers, a hospital or birth center, prenatal care, or postpartum care. Requires funds to be allocated in specified amounts for (1) a directed grant to the March of Dimes, Inc., and (2) for directed grants on a competitive basis to nonprofit, community-based, and faith-based organizations that offer programs, supports, and services aligned with evidence-based practices for a healthy pregnancy through the postpartum period, infant health and care, and parenting programs, supports, and services. Requires DPH to report to the specified NCGA committee and division by October 1, 2028, and October 1, 2029, on the grants that were awarded. Effective July 1, 2026.