NASW-NC Legislative Session Update: House Budget Passes and Youth Marriage Bill Advances

Earlier, NASW-NC provided details of the House budget that had been released. Legislators continued to roll out provisions of the budget related to taxes and policy provisions and then voted on their budget proposal on Wednesday and Thursday. The bill passed with a veto proof majority. The bill now goes back to the Senate where it is expected that they will vote to not concur with House changes. This will allow the bill to go to a conference committee with legislators from the House and the Senate appointed to work on one budget. This process will likely take a few weeks before we see a final proposal.

Full details of the House budget can be found here and here.

Legislators added language from HB 608 Dignity for Women Who are Incarcerated to the budget details. 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.

NASW-NC’s Legislative Committee is preparing priorities to send to legislators appointed to the conference committee. We will be advocating for the inclusion of Medicaid Expansion, recurring funds for school social workers, restoring master’s pay for school social workers, supporting telehealth, and more.

House members also took up and passed SB 35 Max 4-Yr. Age Difference to Marry Under 18 Years. This bill removes the ability for 14- and 15-year-olds to get married in our state. Under the amended version, 16- and 17- year-olds can still marry but it is limited to someone no more than four years older than them. The bill goes back to the Senate for a concurrence vote before heading to Governor Cooper to sign into law. NASW-NC supports this legislation.