This bill removes the requirement for Ambulatory Surgical Facilities and Inpatient Rehabilitation Services to obtain a Certificate of Need before opening or expanding in North Carolina. It directly affects healthcare providers operating these facilities by eliminating a regulatory approval step that previously required state permission for new construction or major expansions. The legislation also allocates funds to the Department of Health and Human Services to help phase out the remaining Certificate of Need laws in the state and updates legal definitions to exclude behavioral health facilities from these review processes.
This North Carolina bill allocates $4.2 million in recurring state funds starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support local courts that handle cases involving substance use and mental health issues. The money is designated for the Administrative Office of the Courts to establish and maintain judicially managed accountability and recovery courts, which are designed to help defendants diagnosed with alcoholism, substance use disorders, or mental health conditions. These courts will operate by creating personalized treatment plans for participants and monitoring their progress while they remain involved in the criminal justice system. The funding applies to both new and existing programs that fall under specific state statutes governing these specialized courts.
This North Carolina bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to study health challenges faced by women serving in the military. The study will examine how to improve maternity care coordination, access to community resources, and mental health support for pregnant and postpartum veterans, while also looking at ways to reduce maternal mortality and address racial disparities. To complete this research, the state has allocated $100,000 for the 2026-2027 fiscal year, and the final report with recommendations is due by April 1, 2027.
HB 1115 updates North Carolina laws regarding advance health care planning documents, such as health care powers of attorney and living wills, to align with recent recommendations from the General Statutes Commission. The bill primarily affects individuals creating these documents by simplifying the requirements for signing them and allowing multiple types of advance directives to be combined into a single document. Key provisions include clarifying how different documents interact, defining terms like 'life-prolonging measures' and 'mental health treatment,' and ensuring that the laws remain consistent with other state statutes.
This bill establishes a grant program in North Carolina to support community organizations focused on improving maternal health outcomes for Black women. The program provides funding ranging from $10,000 to $50,000 to eligible entities that offer evidence-based services, such as mental health support, doula care, and assistance with social needs like housing and transportation. Priority is given to organizations led by Black women and those serving communities with high rates of adverse maternal health outcomes. Recipients must also provide culturally respectful training for health workers and submit reports on how the funds are used to prevent maternal mortality and severe complications.
This bill requires North Carolina public schools to provide annual firearm safety and conflict de-escalation training to students starting in kindergarten, with parents retaining the right to opt their children out of the instruction. The firearm safety component mandates teaching safe handling, storage, and emergency procedures without using live ammunition, while the de-escalation portion focuses on managing stressful situations through instruction from mental health professionals. Additionally, the legislation expands access to mental health records by requiring court clerks to conduct statewide searches when individuals apply for concealed handgun permits and modifying how judges issue involuntary commitment orders. The state will also allocate $250,000 to fund the development of these new curricula, which are scheduled to begin in the 2026-2027 school year.
This bill, titled the Dr. Janell Green Smith Maternal Health Accountability Act, aims to improve maternal health outcomes in North Carolina by formally recognizing and regulating Certified Professional Midwives alongside other licensed midwives. It requires hospitals to implement specific safety protocols, such as standardized emergency response plans and annual bias training for staff, while prohibiting care denial based on the type of provider or birth setting. To ensure transparency, the legislation mandates that healthcare facilities annually report detailed data on maternal mortality, morbidity, and other key metrics to the state Department of Health and Human Services, with this data made publicly available and broken down by race and geography. Additionally, the bill establishes a statewide reporting and navigation system to help patients access grievance processes, legal resources, and mental health support.
This bill establishes an Interstate Compact for School Psychologists in North Carolina, allowing licensed professionals to practice in other participating states without facing repetitive licensing requirements. The legislation creates a commission to oversee the agreement and defines specific rules for mobility, including provisions for military families and standards for professional conduct. Additionally, the bill allocates funds to support a virtual training program for school psychologists. By streamlining the licensure process, the measure aims to increase the availability of qualified mental health services in schools across member states.
This bill aims to improve the connection between the court system and mental health services in North Carolina to reduce unnecessary jail time. It directs state agencies to create training for judges and staff on spotting mental health risks and to build a framework for sending court-involved individuals to treatment instead of detention. The legislation also updates legal standards for determining when someone is a danger to others and provides funding to support these new programs and data-sharing systems.
HB 1045, known as the Fair Wages in Health Care Act, establishes minimum hourly wages for five specific direct care occupations in North Carolina: home care aides, direct support professionals, certified nursing assistants, psychiatric aides, and licensed practical nurses. The bill sets wage floors ranging from $18 to $24 per hour depending on the role, with protections against employers using different job titles to avoid paying the required rates. To help healthcare providers meet these new costs, the Department of Health and Human Services must adjust reimbursement rates for publicly funded programs and update contracts with managed care organizations. The law takes effect on October 1, 2027, and applies to all employers in the state, regardless of whether they are public or private entities.
