NASW-NC Legislative Update: What bills made it through Crossover

North Carolina legislators wrapped up a fast-paced week as they moved toward the Crossover deadline on May 13. Now that this deadline has passed, their next focus will be on the state budget. The Senate is poised to go first in the budget process this legislative session. NASW-NC is unsure when a budget might rollout, as legislators are still discussing spending priorities behind closed doors. The House and the Senate currently disagree on how much to spend given our state’s large surplus.

NASW-NC is happy to report that SB 607 Substance Use Disorder Safety Act did not move this legislative session. This harmful legislation would have made changes to our state's current syringe exchange laws. The bill set up a lot of roadblocks for programs to operate a syringe program including a requirement that syringe programs engrave or mark all program supplies to identify the program, prohibited programs from being located within a 3-mile radius of schools, and allowed neighboring homeowners to approve any program. NASW-NC opposed this legislation.

In addition to SB 607, none of the anti-LGBT bills moved. Sadly, none of the pro-LGBT bills that NASW-NC supported moved either. You can read more about what these bills would have done, here. Last week, we reported on bills that were rushed through including an anti-abortion bill, a telehealth bill, and more. You can read that update by clicking here.

Some bills of interest to social workers that made it to crossover this past week:

SB 35 Max 4-Yr. Age Difference to Marry Under 18 Years: In a surprise to many advocates, bill sponsors amended this legislation on the floor to remove the ability for 14- and 15-year-olds to get married. Under the amended version, the 16- and 17- year-olds can still marry but it is limited to someone no more than four years older than them. This is a huge compromise, and NASW-NC is thrilled that legislators are protecting 14- and 15-year-olds. NASW-NC supports this legislation.

SB 300 Criminal Justice Reform: This comprehensive 27-page bill passed the Senate with no opposition. The bill makes changes to the state’s police-worn body camera laws and would require that families are given the ability to view the footage within five days of a killing or serious injury. The bill makes changes to the state’s Involuntary Commitment transportation laws, creates a duty for officers to intervene and report excessive use of force by another officer, and much more.

SB 405 Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act which penalizes providers for not providing healthcare to an infant born alive after an attempted abortion passed. A similar bill passed in 2019 but the Governor vetoed the legislation, and the veto was not able to be overridden. The bill now goes to the House. NASW-NC is opposed to this legislation.

HB 232 LRC Study- Affordable Housing: This legislation directs the Legislative Research Commission to study affordable housing in North Carolina and report any findings or proposed legislation by the 2022 legislative session. NASW-NC supports this legislation. 

HB 324 Ensuring Dignity & Nondiscrimination/Schools: This bill originally dealt with charter schools but was changed in committee to address school curriculums. The bill declares the intent of the General Assembly that students, teachers, administrators, and other school employees recognize the equality and rights of all persons and prohibits public schools from promoting certain concepts that are contrary to that intent. The bill passed the House along party lines with Democrats voicing concern about limiting difficult race-focused conversations about our history.

HB 572 No Vaccine Mandate by EO, Rule, or Agency: This legislation would ban a Governor from mandating vaccines or penalizing someone for not getting a vaccine. Further, the bill prevents state agencies from requiring vaccinations or disciplining a person as a condition of the receipt, renewal, or reinstatement of a license.

HB 608 Dignity for Women Who are Incarcerated: This bipartisan legislation aims to provide reasonable accommodations for pregnant inmates such as prohibiting shackling while in labor. It also requires necessary postpartum care and access to hygiene products. NASW-NC supports this legislation. 

HB 731 Adult Day Care Consistency Funding/Sources: This legislation allows boards of county commissioners to determine the maximum rates for adult day care and adult day health care services funded by the Home and Community Care Block Grant and the State Adult Day Care Fund. 

HB 756 State as a Model Employer/IDD: This legislation directs the Office of State Human Resources and Department of Health and Human Services to study a statewide program that establishes the state as a model employer in the employment of individuals with disabilities.

HB 854 Landlord/Tenant Changes: This legislation allows mental health providers in a therapeutic relationship with a patient to verify a need for an emotional support or assistance animal. The verification might be requested by a landlord.