Education

in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 885: Revise Suspension and Parental Notice Policies.

HB 885 revises North Carolina public school discipline policies to limit suspensions, prohibit corporal punishment, and improve parental notification. It defines suspension lengths (short-term up to 20 days, long-term over 43 days), bans corporal punishment entirely, and requires schools to make documented, multi-channel attempts to contact parents within one hour of disciplinary actions. The bill mandates schools to collect and publicly report demographic data (race, gender, disability status, etc.) on all suspensions, expulsions, and disciplinary actions. These changes directly affect all public school students in North Carolina, with specific restrictions on suspending kindergarten through third graders and requiring in-school suspension to not exceed 40 cumulative days per year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBans corporal punishment, limits suspensions, mandates parental notification and demographic reporting - improves student discipline policies to protect student welfare and equity in education.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education School Safety Student Health

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died · North Carolina · Senate Mar 25, 2025

SB 473: Capital for Communities Act.

SB 473 creates the Capital for Communities Special Fund, a dedicated state fund that will receive 3.5% of certain investment earnings (when quarterly returns exceed 7%) from state funds managed by the Treasurer. The fund will provide grants for economic development projects in North Carolina, specifically targeting affordable housing, childcare centers, healthcare facilities addressing shortages, medical research, workforce development, living-wage jobs, and nonprofit education facilities. These grants must directly support community-based initiatives meeting the specified criteria. The bill establishes clear eligibility rules for fund usage but does not detail application processes or allocation priorities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates dedicated fund from state investment earnings (3.5%) to fund affordable housing, healthcare, and workforce programs, increasing state funding allocation for public services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates grants specifically for 'nonprofit education facilities' through a dedicated fund, directly funding educational infrastructure and programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill specifically targets healthcare facilities addressing shortages and medical research for grants from the dedicated fund, directly advancing healthcare infrastructure and services.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingSB 473 creates a dedicated fund specifically targeting affordable housing projects through state grants, directly advancing housing affordability as a primary focus.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentDirectly funds workforce development and living-wage jobs, advancing employment standards per bill summary and subjects list.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Early Childhood Affordable Housing Community Development Property Development Workforce Development Tags Economic Development

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 930: First Responder Bonus/Appreciation Fund/$1500.

HB 930 creates two separate $1,500 one-time bonus programs for eligible public employees in North Carolina: first responders (including police, firefighters, emergency medical staff, dispatchers, and public hospital nurses) and teachers (classroom staff, principals, and support personnel). The bill allocates $130 million annually for first responders and $165 million for teachers from the General Fund during the 2025-2027 fiscal biennium, with funds distributed to local governments and school districts by November 1 each year. To qualify, recipients must be employed on October 1 of the fiscal year, and bonuses must be paid by December 31 (prorated for part-time workers). Funds cannot cover administrative costs, must be paid in addition to base salary, and will revert to the General Fund if unspent by year-end. The program takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $295M annually from General Fund for first responder/teacher bonuses, increasing public sector compensation funding under budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $165M for teacher bonuses (classroom staff, principals), directly funding educator compensation and retention under Education/Teachers subjects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · North Carolina · House Mar 3, 2025

HB 241: Person County Projects/Funds.

HB 241 allocates $15.8 million in one-time state funds for specific projects in Person County and nearby areas. It provides $10 million for Roxboro’s wastewater plant repairs, $800,000 for Person County’s splash pad construction, and $5 million for Piedmont Community College’s health/trades center equipment. The funds are directed to these specific entities via grants from the Office of State Budget and Management for the 2025-2026 fiscal year. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025, with no policy changes beyond the funding allocations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $15.8M in state funds for infrastructure (wastewater, parks) and education (college equipment), advancing budget appropriations for public services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $5M for Piedmont Community College's health/trades center equipment, directly funding higher education infrastructure per bill subjects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Higher Education

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 1004: UNC Artificial Intelligence and Technology Hubs.

HB 1004 proposes to allocate $16 million (one-time) and $8 million annually to establish up to eight Artificial Intelligence Hubs at UNC campuses, including at least one HBCU or UNC Pembroke, requiring institutions to match 10% with non-state funds. It also appropriates $70 million for Technology Hubs at all UNC campuses to drive innovation, workforce development, and entrepreneurship, plus $30 million for research grants focused on AI applications in education, healthcare, ethics, and infrastructure. The bill directly affects UNC system campuses, researchers, and students through funding for hubs, infrastructure, and project grants. It requires reporting on hub activities and becomes effective July 1, 2025, pending legislative approval.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllocates $16M one-time, $8M annual, and $100M total for AI/tech hubs and education-focused research grants, strengthening higher education innovation and workforce development.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyAllocates $16M one-time, $8M annual for AI hubs, $70M for tech hubs, $30M for AI research grants to drive innovation and workforce development in technology.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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signed · North Carolina · House Aug 11, 2026

HB 268: 2026 Budget Technical Corrections - II.

HB 268 authorizes the University of North Carolina system to finance specific capital projects at UNC Chapel Hill and UNC Wilmington using alternative funding sources like gifts, grants, and revenue bonds - instead of state general funds. It specifically covers major projects including Chapel Hill's electrical system upgrade and Fetzer Hall addition, plus Wilmington's parking deck and student housing. The bill allows the university board to issue special obligation bonds up to 5% over the project costs to cover expenses, with potential adjustments approved by the state budget director. This directly affects the two universities by enabling them to fund these infrastructure improvements through non-state appropriations.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationAllows UNC system to use alternative funding for campus infrastructure projects (e.g., electrical upgrades, housing), directly supporting higher education facility improvements without diverting state general funds.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education

in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 1, 2025

HB 587: Corps Community Center Funding.

HB 587 appropriates $2 million from the state General Fund for the Salvation Army of Cape Fear to construct a Corps Community Center in Wilmington. The center will provide after-school tutoring, business training, and recreational programs while offering meeting space for underserved communities in New Hanover, Columbus, Brunswick, Bladen, and Pender Counties. It will also serve as an emergency shelter during hurricanes, coordinating with New Hanover County Emergency Management. The funding supports the Salvation Army's $7.5 million Build Hope Capital Campaign, which has secured most of its financing through public-private partnerships. The bill becomes effective July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $2M from General Fund for community center services, directly funding public programs per budgeting subjects.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationFunds after-school tutoring for underserved students, directly supporting educational access and student programs through state appropriation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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died · North Carolina · Senate Feb 26, 2025

SB 158: Funds for McCrorey YMCA/Flying Classroom.

SB 158 appropriates $100,000 from North Carolina's General Fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to fund the McCrorey YMCA of Charlotte's Flying Classroom program. This grant directly supports the YMCA's educational initiative, which provides immersive, hands-on learning experiences for students in science, technology, mathematics, and literacy through expeditionary activities. The bill establishes a one-time state funding allocation to enable the program's operations during the specified fiscal year. It becomes effective July 1, 2025, and does not create new ongoing obligations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $100,000 from state General Fund for youth education program, directly funding a public service via budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationDirectly appropriates $100k for YMCA's STEM/literacy educational program, explicitly funding K-12 student enrichment through state budget.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · North Carolina · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 550: Coaches Care Act.

SB 550, the Coaches Care Act, requires all middle and high school coaches and athletic directors in North Carolina to complete approved youth mental health first aid training by July 1, 2026. The training teaches coaches to recognize mental health challenges, assist youth experiencing them, and connect them to professional resources. Schools must maintain records of coach certification, and local governments must deny public facility access to youth sports organizations whose coaches lack this certification. The State Board of Education will approve specific training programs, initially including the National Council for Mental Wellbeing's courses, and publish them annually. This law directly affects all public school coaches and youth sports organizations using county or city facilities.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates mental health training for school coaches to support student well-being, enhancing educational environment and student access to mental health resources within K-12 framework.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health first aid training for coaches to recognize and connect students to resources, directly advancing youth mental health services as a core healthcare component.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 8, 2025

HB 796: The Student Mental Health Line Awareness Act.

HB 796, the Student Mental Health Line Awareness Act, requires all North Carolina public schools serving grades 6-12 to print three specific suicide prevention contact numbers on new student identification cards. The mandated information includes the 988 Lifeline (call/text), Crisis Text Line (text HOME to 741741), and the NC Statewide Warmline (1-855-733-7762), displayed prominently on the ID. Schools must verify these numbers are current annually and use updated contact information. The bill applies to local school boards, charter schools, regional schools, and laboratory schools, but explicitly states it does not require issuing student IDs. It takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates suicide prevention resources on student IDs in public schools, enhancing student mental health support within K-12 educational setting.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates inclusion of suicide prevention contacts on student IDs to improve access to mental health crisis services, directly supporting mental health access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health

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