2025 NASW-NC Legislative Session Update: Social Work Compact Bill scheduled for House Finance!

In this week's update:

• Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact to be heard in House Finance Committee!  
• Governor Stein Releases 2025-2027 Budget Proposal 
• Statement from NC Superintendent of Public Instruction on EO to Dismantle Department of Education
• Compromise reached on $524 million Hurricane Helene recovery package 
• Justice Allison Riggs NC Supreme Court Seat Update
• NASW-NC Social Work Advocacy Guide 
• Equality NC Advocacy Day
• NC Coalition on Aging Webinar: Medicaid on the Chopping Block 
• I/DD Legislative Caucus Listening Session 
• Moms Demand Action 2025 Advocacy Day
• NAMI NC Advocacy Day 
• NCGA Bills to Watch 

Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact to be heard in House Health Committee! 

HB 231-Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact will be heard in the House Finance Committee on Tuesday, March 25 at 9AM. You can live stream the committee meeting here: https://ncleg.gov/LegislativeCalendarEvent/133416#videoHeader

The North Carolina legislation (SB155 and HB231) would allow licensed clinical social workers to apply to provide their services across multiple states. A comprehensive data system would also be created so the public could be kept safe and informed regarding social worker’s current license status and any adverse actions associated with a licensed clinical social worker.

We need your voice to ensure the success of this compact! Here’s how you can take action:

1. Email your Senator: Reach out to your Senator and urge them to support SB155. Explain how this compact will improve the practice of social work in your community and enhance client care. If they are a sponsor be sure to thank them for their support.
2. Email your House member: Reach out to your Representative and urge them to support HB231. Explain how this compact will improve the practice of social work in your community and enhance client care. If they are a sponsor be sure to thank them for their support.
3. Subscribe to NASW-NC Advocacy Alerts: NASW-NC will be working hard to move the legislation through committees and will be letting members know when to reach out to the appropriate committee members with talking points.
4. Join NASW! The NASW-NC lobbying team would not exist without the incredible support of the membership. Thank you if you are a member of NASW. We have been able to do this work because of you!

Follow updates on the Social Work Compact in the NC General Assembly here. 

Governor Stein Releases 2025-2027 Budget Proposal  

Today, Governor Josh Stein joined State Budget Director Kristin Walker to announce his 2025-2027 budget proposal to keep North Carolina strong. The Governor’s budget makes key investments in the economy, families, education, workforce, health care, and public safety to help ensure every North Carolinian has a shot at a brighter future.

“North Carolina is strong because our people are strong, and we must work to maintain our strength so that future generations will continue to reap the benefits of our work,” said Governor Josh Stein. “My budget is balanced and puts kids and families – their job opportunities, their education, their wallets, their health and their safety – first.”

Governor Stein specifically mentioned school social workers in his budget, prioritizing the need to hire more social workers, nurses, and counselors in public schools.

Read the press release and full budget proposal HERE. 

Read more on NASW-NC website HERE.  

Statement from NC Superintendent of Public Instruction on EO to Dismantle Department of Education

On March 20, NC’s Superintendent of Public Instruction Maurice “Mo” Green made the following statement on President Trump’s Executive Order to dismantle the Department of Education: “President Trump's recent executive order to close the U.S. Department of Education and ‘return authority over education to the States and local communities while ensuring the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely,’ if effectuated, has significant implications for North Carolina's public schools. 

While education funding in North Carolina is primarily provided at the state and local levels, federal funding provides 10.9% of the state's budget for public schools. The federal government provides over $1 billion to support public school students, including services for students with disabilities, children from low-income families and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. Those federal dollars fund more than 14,000 teacher and other educator positions (7.6% of our education workforce) across the state.”

You can read the full statement HERE. 

Compromise reached on $524 million Hurricane Helene recovery package 

North Carolina lawmakers have reached an agreement to pass a fourth round of funding for Helene recovery, allocating $524 million toward relief efforts. In a near-unanimous vote, the state House passed the measure on Tuesday as part of a deal with the Senate, which is expected to take up the bill this week.

“We are proud to have worked alongside the Senate to craft and approve this vital relief legislation that continues Western North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Helene,” said Republican Rep. Dudley Greene, the bill’s sponsor and a former McDowell County sheriff.

Included in the funding package is $200 million for farm restoration for Western North Carolina, $120 million for rebuilding homes and $100 million for repairing private roads and bridges. The bill also expands school calendar flexibility for counties where students had to miss school days due to the storm.

Once enacted, this package will bring the total amount spent in recovery from Helene to over $1.4 billion. Democratic Gov. Josh Stein has said he would sign the bill.

Following the vote, House Speaker Destin Hall said lawmakers would soon get to work on a fifth round of relief for Helene victims.

Read more HERE. 

Justice Allison Riggs NC Supreme Court Seat Update

On March 18, a group of more than 200 North Carolina jurists and senior state government officials, bar leaders, legal educators, and practicing attorneys from across North Carolina issued a powerful joint letter to losing NC Supreme Court candidate Jefferson Griffin. The letter’s message: it’s time for Griffin to drop his lawsuit to overturn the 2024 election for a seat on the NC Supreme Court.

The letter signers are from a wide variety of political and legal backgrounds. But they all agree that Griffin’s “continuing effort to overturn the vote in the election for the Supreme Court has become a threat to the public’s faith in our judicial system.”

Read the entire article here: https://www.commoncause.org/north-carolina/articles/letter-to-griffin/

NASW-NC Social Work Advocacy Guide 

Social work has always been a profession of compassion + action. Rooted in justice, dignity, and the unwavering belief in human worth, we are called to challenge oppressive systems, dismantle barriers to equity, and advocate for those whose voices have been silenced. In this moment—one of uncertainty, division, and urgent need—our profession must stand firm in our core values and rise to the work ahead. Social workers are uniquely prepared for this moment in history, as we understand that the systems and environments surrounding individuals and families are rooted in systemic oppression, disproportionate poverty, and targeted injustices. We know how to navigate unjust policies, combat systemic racism, and provide and lead critical care and healing interventions. Please find support and guidance in the NASW-NC Social Work Advocacy Guide - Social Work Core Values as a Foundation for Action: Reclaiming Our Power, Advancing Justice.

Equality NC Advocacy Day

Our care, our choices, our rights—woven together in solidarity!

Take action for a future where our choices, our families, and our lives are truly free, with ENC and other leading advocacy groups! (Including  Human Rights Campaign, Pro-Choice NC; ACLU-NC; and Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, among others). 

Your presence matters whether you're a seasoned advocate or new to activism. We'll provide the tools, training, and support to help you engage with policymakers and push for change. Together, we can build a future where everyone can decide about their bodies—without barriers or discrimination.

Save the Date: Tuesday, March 25 for Advocacy Day: Rainbow Repro 2025!

Location: North Carolina General Assembly, 16 West Jones Street, Raleigh

Program materials along with a light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Please register for the advocacy day by March 19th to help us prepare for the event. 

Register here

NC Coalition on Aging Webinar: Medicaid on the Chopping Block 

The House and Senate have voted on their respective budget resolutions, showing their intention to move forward with legislation to enact massive cuts to Medicaid. While the votes approving these resolutions shows how serious the threats are, the fight to protect Medicaid is far from over.

As the House and Senate try to reconcile their very different budget frameworks and the policy specifics start to emerge, Justice in Aging is making sure advocates for older adults have the knowledge and tools necessary to defend Medicaid from any cuts. 

This webinar, Medicaid on the Chopping Block: Advocacy Updates, will discuss the state of play and new research about what is at risk for older adults if policymakers cut Medicaid. Presenters will share insights about effective advocacy strategies and resources that attendees can use in their own states and communities.

Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. ET

Presenters:
Natalie Kean, Director of Federal Health Advocacy
Gelila Selassie, Senior Attorney
Amber Christ, Managing Director of Health Advocacy

Register here

I/DD Legislative Caucus Listening Session 

An Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Legislative Caucus will be holding a Listening Session on March 26th from 11 AM - 1 PM at the NC General Assembly. It will be in the Auditorium of the 3rd Floor of the Legislative Building at 16 West Jones Street, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Speaker slots are being filled, but North Carolina individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and family members can attend. 
You can register to attend here.
 

Moms Demand Action 2025 Advocacy Day

Join Moms and Student Demand action volunteers and other gun safety advocates from across the state to urge lawmakers to pass legislation that keeps our communities safe, and to oppose bills that do not. We'll hear from great speakers, review our priorities, and meet with lawmakers.

Date: Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Time: 9am - 3pm
Location: Raleigh, NC

Click HERE to RSVP. 

NAMI NC Advocacy Day 

NAMI NC Advocacy Day invites legislators and mental health advocates to come together to discuss key mental health legislation and policy priorities for 2025. This event allows mental health advocates to hear from government officials and legislators, tell their stories about mental illness, and let their voices be heard.

The deadline to register is Monday, March 31!

Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Location: Raleigh, NC 

Register here!

NCGA Bills to Watch 

SB 155 (HB 231): The Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact works to increase access to social workers and this bill would add North Carolina into a compact where social workers from other states who meet requirements within the bill can serve North Carolinians.  Click Here for how you can support passage of the Social Work Compact. 

HB5: NC Constitutional Carry Act. This bill will allow North Carolinians to carry a concealed handgun without a permit.

HB66: Reduce Early Voting Period. This bill will reduce the early voting period across NC by nearly two weeks (12 days).

HB72 (SB58): AG/Restrict Challenge to Presidential EO's.  This bill will prohibit the NC Attorney General from challenging executive orders issued by the President.

HB76: Protect Access to In Vitro Fertilization. An act to protect access to in vitro fertilization in NC.

HB77:  Environmental Justice. This bill will require consideration of the cumulative impact of a proposed environmental permitting decision on minority or low-income communities. It will also enhance public participation in environmental permitting decisions in minority or low-income communities.

HB 87: Cell Phone-Free Education: Would prohibit or drastically reduce cell phone usage during instructional time for students in public schools. 

HB171: Equality on State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI. This bill will eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and prohibit public funding for DEI initiatives in state and local government.

HB237: Child Welfare: An Act to Make Various Changes to the Laws Affecting Juveniles and Associated Services.

HB270: Revise Law on the Death Penalty. This bill will revise the current methods of execution for people sentenced to death in North Carolina. It will make electrocution the default method, while convicted persons can request 14 days in advance execution via lethal injection or firing squad.

HB301 : Social Media Protections for Minors Under 16 would prohibit children 14 and younger from having a social media profile. It further would allow 15- and 16-year-olds to have social media profiles, but only with parental consent. 

HB318:The Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Acts strengthens House Bill 10—enacted during the 2023-24 legislative session—which requires state, county, and local law enforcement agencies to cooperate with ICE before releasing illegal migrants arrested for violent offenses.

HB367: This will give rights of information and notifications to victims regarding sexual assault examination kits.

HB411 will reduce the early voting period for primaries in NC from seventeen days to six days.

HB430: Protect Youth From Harms of Vaping & Nicotine. This will raise the legal sales age of tobacco products to 21. 

HB434: The CARE FIRST Act. This bill will reform the process of patients seeking prior authorization from their health insurance provider.

SB 50: Freedom to Carry Act.  Permits any US citizen at least 18 years old to carry a concealed handgun in North Carolina. 

SB177: Add Psychiatric Hospitals to Medicaid HASP will add psychiatric hospitals to Medicaid coverage.

SB181: Increase Funding for Mobile Crisis Units.  Will provide additional funding to support five new mobile crisis teams providing services to the areas of highest need in NC. 

SB191 will require the Center for Safer Schools to develop a presentation on the consequences of gun use and will require local public schools to provide the presentation to all students in grade seven and grade nine.

SB227: Eliminating "DEI" in Public Education. This bill will ban Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (“DEI”) content and programs in public education.

SB362: Strengthen Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. This will appropriate additional funds for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program to support them and the residents they serve throughout North Carolina.

Thank you to the members of NASW-NC for supporting the advocacy work we do. We would not be able to advocate for the social work profession or social justice issues in North Carolina without a robust and engaged NASW membership. If you are a social worker and not a member, we ask that you join NASW today. Our voice is louder with your membership.

Learn more about NASW-NC membership here.

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