HB 509 North Carolina House · 2025-2026 Session

Right to Reproductive Freedom Act.

HB 509, the Right to Reproductive Freedom Act, codifies the constitutional protections for abortion access established in Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood v. Casey by prohibiting North Carolina from imposing restrictions that create an undue burden before fetal viability. The bill allows state restrictions only after fetal viability to preserve life or health and defines "undue burden" as any substantial obstacle to accessing abortion care. It removes barriers such as unnecessary parental consent requirements for minors and expands the scope of healthcare providers (including nurse practitioners and certified nurse midwives) who can perform or assist with abortion care. Additionally, the bill requires health insurance plans to cover abortion services and related complications, ensuring broader access for insured individuals.

Issues: ✓ Healthcare

Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Mar 2025

Committee Review

Floor Vote

Governor

Introduced Mar 25, 2025 Last action Mar 26, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Filed → Edition 1 · 5 edits

MODERATE

The bill text was reformatted and reorganized between the 'Filed' version and 'Edition 1', with the main substantive content remaining largely unchanged. The primary differences involve the addition of more sponsor information, updated header details, and reordering of sections rather than new policy provisions. No substantive changes to the bill's scope, eligibility, funding, or definitions were identified in this comparison.

TECHNICAL

Added additional sponsors (Butler, Greenfield, and Dew) to the bill's sponsor list with a note directing readers to the General Assembly website for a complete list.

Updated the bill header to include 'Edition 1' and changed the bill identifier from 'DRH30214-NJ-36' to 'H509-v-1'.

Added a new line item (d) regarding conscience protection that was previously removed in the 'Filed' version.

Reordered the bill sections, moving the conscience protection clause to appear before the main statutory amendments.

Removed the original 'Filed' date of March 25, 2025 and replaced it with a new date of March 26, 2025 in the referral section.

Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Mar 26, 2025

Committee

Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

lower

Mar 25, 2025

Introduced

Filed

lower

3 primary · 29 co-sponsors