Healthcare

passed · North Carolina · House Jun 26, 2025

HB 697: NC Genetic Counselors Workforce Act.

HB 697 establishes North Carolina's first licensure requirements for genetic counselors. The bill creates a 5-member Genetic Counselors Licensure Board (with 3 licensed counselors, 1 physician, and 1 public member) to regulate the profession. Key provisions include defining "genetic counseling," setting standards for licensure (requiring ABGC certification or equivalent), establishing temporary licenses for interns, and granting the Board authority to issue, deny, suspend, or revoke licenses. This directly affects genetic counselors practicing in North Carolina, requiring them to obtain a license to legally provide services. The bill does not change healthcare access or funding but sets professional standards for this specific healthcare role.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes licensure for genetic counselors, creating regulatory standards to ensure qualified professionals deliver healthcare services, directly strengthening health services and patient safety.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · North Carolina · House Jun 26, 2025

HB 590: Patient Safety/Medical Imaging/Radiation Therapy.

HB 590 establishes licensing requirements for medical imaging and radiation therapy professionals in North Carolina, directly affecting radiographers, radiation therapists, sonographers, and others performing these procedures. The bill creates a new "Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy Board of Examiners" to set education standards, administer licensing exams, and ensure practitioners are "educationally prepared and clinically competent." It requires all non-licensed practitioners (e.g., radiographers, radiation therapists) to hold a state license before performing procedures involving ionizing radiation or medical imaging, with limited exemptions for licensed physicians. The law aims to protect patients by mandating standardized training and oversight for these technical roles.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes licensing standards to ensure clinical competence of medical imaging professionals, directly enhancing patient safety and healthcare quality standards.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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signed · North Carolina · Senate Jun 26, 2025

SB 344: Pooled Trust Transfers/Public Benefits Elig.

SB 344 ensures that North Carolina seniors aged 65+ who transfer funds into qualifying pooled special needs trusts (meeting federal standards) won't lose Medicaid or State-County Special Assistance eligibility. The bill requires the state health department to update eligibility rules so these transfers are treated as "fair market value" transactions - meaning the funds aren't counted against benefit eligibility if the trust uses the money to provide goods/services equal to the transfer value within the senior's life expectancy. It directly affects seniors using these trusts to manage assets while maintaining public benefits. The law amends state rules to align with federal guidelines (42 U.S.C. § 1396p(d)(4)(C)) and takes effect upon enactment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents loss of Medicaid eligibility for seniors using qualifying trusts, protecting access to healthcare benefits without restricting coverage.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

passed · North Carolina · House Jun 25, 2025

HB 480: Medical Board Licensing Efficiency Act.

HB 480 creates a new pathway for doctors, physician assistants, and anesthesiologist assistants to obtain North Carolina medical licenses by transferring licenses from other states ("licensure by endorsement"). To qualify, applicants must have held an active license in another U.S. jurisdiction for at least five years (with two years of practice post-residency for doctors), have a verified full-time job offer in North Carolina, maintain good standing with no recent disciplinary actions, and meet practice hour requirements. The bill increases application fees for endorsement (e.g., $825 for physicians vs. $400 for standard licensure) and requires additional documentation within 180 days to keep the license active. This directly affects out-of-state medical professionals seeking to practice in North Carolina without retaking exams.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines medical licensing for providers, increasing healthcare access and provider availability in North Carolina.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · North Carolina · House Jun 24, 2025

HB 578: The Jason Flatt Act of North Carolina.

HB 578, the Jason Flatt Act, requires all North Carolina public K-12 schools to implement suicide prevention education and training for school staff. It mandates that licensed educators complete at least one hour of annual suicide prevention training, while staff working with grades 6-12 must receive guidelines for identifying at-risk students and procedures for referrals. Schools must adopt a mental health plan including these elements, with initial staff training of six hours (within six months of hire) and two hours annually thereafter. The law applies to all public schools, charter schools, regional schools, and lab schools starting the 2025-2026 school year.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates suicide prevention training for K-12 staff, enhancing mental health support within educational settings per bill requirements.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates suicide prevention training and mental health plans in schools, strengthening mental health services under public health initiatives.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed both · North Carolina · Senate Jun 16, 2025

SB 171: Pract. Transparency/Reagan's Law/Sam's Law.

SB 171 allows licensed psychological associates in North Carolina to practice independently without direct supervision after completing 3,000 hours of supervised experience over 24-60 months. This directly affects psychological associates who meet the experience requirement, reducing regulatory barriers to their practice. The bill amends licensing rules to establish this pathway, requiring an application with proof of experience and granting certification as a "health services provider psychological associate." It also updates board composition rules to ensure balanced representation. The changes take effect October 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareReduces regulatory barriers for mental health professionals, improving access to services by allowing independent practice after experience requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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signed · North Carolina · House Jun 13, 2025

HB 231: Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact.

HB 231 establishes North Carolina's participation in the Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact, allowing licensed social workers from participating states to practice across state lines without obtaining separate licenses in each state. The bill directly affects licensed social workers seeking to provide services in multiple states, particularly those serving military families or addressing workforce shortages. Key provisions include mutual recognition of licenses among member states, accountability for social workers practicing where clients are located, and streamlined processes for disciplinary information sharing. This reduces duplicate licensing requirements while maintaining state authority to protect public health and safety through existing licensure systems.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill removes licensure barriers for social workers, directly improving access to mental health services and supporting workforce mobility in healthcare.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill facilitates social workers serving military families (including veterans' families), improving access to social services and addressing workforce shortages in veteran support.75% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

passed · North Carolina · House May 27, 2025

HB 485: Adult Care Home Medicaid Personal Care Services Coverage.

HB 485 requires North Carolina's Medicaid agency to request federal approval to extend Medicaid coverage for personal care services to adults living in licensed adult care homes who earn more than the current State-County Special Assistance income limit but stay below 180-200% of the federal poverty level. The bill specifically targets individuals who would qualify for lower-income Medicaid assistance if not for their higher earnings. Before implementing this coverage, the agency must submit a CMS request meeting three conditions: covering the specified income group, ensuring cost savings offset new expenses, and complying with legal requirements. This bill does not immediately change coverage - it only authorizes a federal request, pending CMS approval.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid coverage for personal care services to higher-income adults in care homes, increasing healthcare access for vulnerable populations.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · North Carolina · House May 8, 2025

HB 886: AEDs and CPR in Public Schools.

HB 886 requires all public schools in North Carolina to install Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) and train school personnel on their use and on CPR. The State Board of Education must develop rules for AED placement, maintenance, and coordination with emergency services, with at least one AED per school, ideally in an athletic area. Local school boards, charter schools, and regional schools are then required to create policies aligning with these state rules. The bill appropriates $4.1 million for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to help public school units purchase AEDs and train staff.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $4.1M for school AEDs/CPR training, directly funding public safety infrastructure under budgeting/appropriations subjects.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates AEDs/CPR training in schools with $4.1M funding, enhancing student/staff safety within educational infrastructure.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates AEDs and CPR training in schools, appropriating $4.1M for emergency medical equipment and training, directly supporting public health infrastructure and emergency services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · North Carolina · House May 8, 2025

HB 690: The Citizens Support Act.

HB 690, "The Citizens Support Act," directs several state and local agencies to ensure that state-funded benefits are provided only to U.S. citizens and noncitizens legally authorized to reside in the United States. The Department of Health and Human Services, Department of Commerce, Housing Finance Agency, and local housing authorities must develop plans to review eligibility criteria and verify the immigration status of applicants for various benefits, including housing, welfare, and medical assistance. State-funded institutions of higher education are required to adopt policies to verify applicants' legal residency for tuition and educational benefits. Additionally, the Division of Employment Security must implement a policy to verify legal residency for unemployment benefit applicants. These agencies are also mandated to report on their implementation progress and any federal laws that prevent them from denying benefits.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts medical benefits to citizens/legal noncitizens, limiting access for undocumented immigrants and others without authorized status per bill's eligibility requirements.95% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill restricts housing benefits to U.S. citizens/legal residents, limiting access for noncitizens and reducing eligibility for state-funded housing assistance.92% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationRestricts state-funded benefits to citizens/legal noncitizens only, denying access to undocumented immigrants per bill's eligibility requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Healthcare

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