Parking Lot Reform/Stormwater Control.
HB 162 requires North Carolina counties and cities to conduct criminal history background checks through the State Bureau of Investigation for all job applicants whose positions involve working with children in any capacity. This applies specifically to local government employment decisions, mandating checks for roles like childcare workers, school staff, or youth program coordinators, but not for general positions. The law takes effect October 1, 2025, and does not alter existing background check processes for non-child-related roles. It directly affects local government hiring practices by adding a mandatory screening requirement for child-impacting positions.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Jun 2026
House Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Jun 2026
Signed into Law
Jul 2026
Introduced Feb 21, 2025
Signed Jul 7, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 6 comparisons
What changed between versions
Ratified
→
SL 2026-39
·
1 edit
MINOR
The bill was formally ratified and assigned the official Session Law number 2026-39, making it an enacted statute. The version number was updated from v-4 to v-5, and the section regarding the effective date remains set for January 1, 2027.
TECHNICAL
The document title was updated to reflect its status as Session Law 2026-39, and the version identifier was changed from v-4 to v-5.
Floor votes · Senate Jun 23, 2026 · House Jun 30, 2026
How they voted
43–1
Passed · 6 other
Total votes 50
Jun 23, 2026
D
Democratic19
84% Yea
R
Republican31
87% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
37
Key actions
12
Committee
11
Amendments
2
Jul 6, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Gov. 7/6/2026
executive
Jun 30, 2026
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (132-3-10)
house
Jun 30, 2026
Lower · Passed
Concurred In S Com Sub
lower
Jun 23, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed 3rd Reading
upper
Jun 23, 2026
Upper · Passed
Amend Adopted A1
upper
Jun 22, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reptd Fav
upper
Jun 17, 2026
Committee
Re-ref Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
upper
Jun 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
Com Substitute Adopted
upper
Jun 17, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reptd Fav Com Substitute
upper
Jun 16, 2026
Committee
Re-ref to Agriculture, Energy, and Environment. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate
upper
Mar 26, 2025
Committee
Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
upper
Mar 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed 3rd Reading
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reptd Fav
lower
Mar 18, 2025
Committee
Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
lower
Mar 18, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reptd Fav
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Committee
Re-ref Com On State and Local Government
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reptd Fav
lower
Feb 24, 2025
Committee
Ref to the Com on Judiciary 2, if favorable, State and Local Government, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
lower
Feb 21, 2025
Introduced
Filed
lower
3 primary · 14 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Bill Ward
RRepublican
P
Donnie Loftis
RRepublican
P
Neal Jackson
RRepublican
Co
Alan Branson
RRepublican
Co
Allen Chesser
RRepublican
Co
Brian Biggs
RRepublican
Co
Charlie Miller
RRepublican
Co
David Willis
RRepublican
Co
Donna White
RRepublican
Co
Jake Johnson
RRepublican
Co
Jeff McNeely
RRepublican
Co
Jennifer Balkcom
RRepublican
Co
Joe Pike
RRepublican
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