Education (Student Health)

in committee · North Carolina · House May 4, 2026

HB 1182: Part-Time Status for Disabled Students.

This bill requires local public school districts and charter schools in North Carolina to allow students with disabilities who attend private schools to enroll part-time in public programs. It mandates that schools create written policies permitting these students to access specific courses, services, or specialized education while remaining enrolled in their nonpublic schools. Additionally, the legislation clarifies that part-time students will not count toward a charter school's official enrollment growth numbers and provides $10,000 in funding to help schools cover the administrative costs of implementing these changes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access for disabled students by allowing part-time enrollment in public programs while attending private schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Special Education Student Health Tags People with Disabilities

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 899: School Mental Health Support Act.

This bill establishes two main programs to improve mental health support in North Carolina public schools. First, it creates a grant program that provides $50 million to school districts to hire mental health professionals, prioritizing areas with students who have limited access to care. Second, it launches a loan repayment program offering $50 million to encourage mental health workers who graduated from UNC system schools to work in high-need areas by paying off up to 20% of their student debt over five years. The legislation includes reporting requirements to track how funds are used and to recommend future improvements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $50M in grants and loan repayment funds to hire mental health professionals, directly strengthening student support services in K-12 schools.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $50M in grants and loan repayment funds to hire mental health professionals and improve access to care in schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Mental Health

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SB 913: Screen Free Schools.

This bill, titled Screen Free Schools, requires public schools in North Carolina to create policies that limit the use of wireless devices like cell phones, tablets, and laptops during instructional time. Under the new rules, students in kindergarten through eighth grade must keep these devices off at all times on school property, while high school students may only use them during specific state testing periods unless a teacher grants permission for educational or emergency reasons. The legislation includes exceptions for students who need devices for individualized education plans, medical conditions, or teacher-approved learning activities. To help schools implement these changes, the state will provide $100,000 in funding for the 2026-2027 school year, and the law takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill aims to improve student focus and reduce distractions, enhancing the quality of instruction and learning environment.85% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts student access to wireless devices and limits internet usage during instructional time in schools.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health Teachers Telecommunications

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died · North Carolina · Senate May 4, 2026

SB 950: School Meals for Every Child.

This bill mandates that all public schools in North Carolina, including charter and laboratory schools, provide free breakfast and lunch to every student starting in the 2026-2027 school year. To support this requirement, the state will allocate $116 million from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction, with additional flexibility to use existing state aid if necessary. The legislation outlines specific criteria for distributing these funds, such as school size, the number of eligible students, and the quality of food provided, while ensuring that state money supplements rather than replaces other funding sources.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly allocates $116M from the General Fund to fund free school meals, directly increasing state budget spending on education.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill mandates free meals for all students and allocates $116M in state funding to support the program, directly enhancing educational access and student welfare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget School Funding Student Health

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 28, 2026

SB 838: The Frontline Mental Health Support Act.

This bill creates the Frontline Mental Health Support Program in North Carolina to offer confidential counseling to public school teachers and first responders who face occupational stress. Eligible employees, including law enforcement, firefighters, and emergency medical personnel, can access up to 12 licensed therapy sessions per year through in-person or telehealth options. The legislation appropriates $13 million in recurring funds starting in 2026-2027 to establish the program and expand the behavioral health workforce via grants to providers. It also mandates that participation cannot be used as grounds for any adverse employment actions and requires a report on the program's implementation by 2028.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds mental health support for law enforcement, reducing occupational stress and promoting officer well-being.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $13M to provide mental health counseling for teachers, directly supporting educator well-being and retention.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill appropriates $13M to fund mental health counseling for teachers and first responders, expanding access to care.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill funds mental health counseling for workers, expanding benefits and protecting employee well-being.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Student Health Mental Health Telehealth

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died · North Carolina · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 1011: Allergy Safe Schools Act.

The Allergy Safe Schools Act aims to improve food allergy safety in North Carolina public schools by mandating that every school employ at least one full-time, permanent nurse. To support this staffing requirement, the bill allocates $92 million in recurring funds starting in the 2026-2027 school year to increase the number of school health personnel. Additionally, the legislation requires school staff to complete standardized training on recognizing and treating anaphylaxis and mandates that schools create individualized medical action plans for students with diagnosed medical emergencies. The bill also prohibits food at school celebrations and provides legal protections for employees who administer emergency medication or perform lifesaving duties in good faith.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $92M for school health personnel and mandates training to improve student safety and educational access.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates full-time school nurses and allocates $92M to increase health personnel, directly strengthening public health services and patient safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Healthcare Workforce

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in committee · North Carolina · House Apr 29, 2026

HB 1076: The Innovations Waitlist Reduction Act.

This bill expands access to North Carolina's Innovations waiver for families with children who have significant medical needs by adding 6,635 new slots and funding them with $240 million starting in 2026. It also modifies the Opportunity Scholarship Program to prioritize students from lower-income households by capping eligibility at 200% of the federal free lunch income threshold and adjusting grant amounts based on family income levels. To support these changes, the legislation reduces the overall scholarship fund by $240 million while simultaneously directing substantial recurring funding to the program's reserve for the next 15 years.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $240M to expand medical access and modifies scholarships to prioritize lower-income families, directly increasing funding for essential public services.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands access to education waivers and scholarships, adds funding slots, and prioritizes lower-income students.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands Medicaid waiver slots and funds them with $240M, directly increasing access and funding for health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Student Financial Aid Student Health Medicaid

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 783: School Mental Health Support Act.

This bill creates a $50 million grant program to help North Carolina public schools hire mental health professionals like counselors and social workers, with funding prioritized for schools serving students with limited access to care. It also establishes a loan repayment program that offers eligible school mental health workers up to $15,000 annually to pay down their student loans, provided they work in high-need areas and graduated from a UNC system institution. The legislation requires the state to report annually on how these funds are used and to ensure grants supplement rather than replace existing resources.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $50M for mental health professionals and offers loan repayment to educators, directly strengthening school resources and student support.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $50M in grants and loan repayment to expand mental health services in schools, directly strengthening healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Mental Health

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died · North Carolina · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 820: Safe Schools and Educational Access Act.

SB 820, the Safe Schools and Educational Access Act, aims to protect students in North Carolina public schools and colleges from discrimination based on their immigration status or national origin. The bill prohibits schools from denying enrollment or sharing student information with immigration authorities unless a judge orders it, effectively designating schools as safe zones for learning. Additionally, the legislation allocates $181 million in state funding to support services for students with limited English proficiency, such as hiring bilingual teachers and providing translation resources.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly allocates $181 million in state funding to support educational services and safe school initiatives.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $181M in funding and designates schools as safe zones to protect student access and enrollment.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill protects students from discrimination based on immigration status, limits school cooperation with immigration authorities, and allocates funding for immigrant services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health DACA & Dreamers

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in committee · North Carolina · House May 4, 2026

HB 1159: Investing in Teen Mental Health.

This North Carolina bill appropriates approximately $1.3 million from the state's General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services for the 2026-2027 fiscal year. The funds are designated to expand access to Teen Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid training programs across the state. These training courses are designed to teach high school students how to recognize signs of mental health and substance use challenges among their peers and connect them with support. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill appropriates $1.3M from the General Fund to expand teen mental health training, directly increasing funding for a public service.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill allocates $1.3M to expand mental health training for high school students, enhancing student well-being and support programs within the education system.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates $1.3M to expand Teen Mental Health First Aid training, directly increasing funding and access to mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget K-12 Education Student Health Mental Health

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