Friendly NC Act.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
H 1
HOUSE BILL 645

Short Title: Friendly NC Act. (Public)
Sponsors: Representatives von Haefen, Reives, Alston, and Lofton (Primary Sponsors).
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
Referred to: Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
April 2, 2025
*H645-v-1*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT TO ENSURE A FRIENDLY NORTH CAROLINA. 2
Whereas, it is the policy of the State of North Carolina to proactively foster economic 3
and social progress, fostering a free and inclusive environment for all people; and 4
Whereas, regressive social policies have deterred potential residents, workforce, 5
businesses, and investors from engaging with the State, ultimately hampering its economic 6
growth and reputation as a welcoming environment to live and work; and 7
Whereas, such policies fail to reflect the values of hospitality, community, and 8
opportunity that North Carolinians hold dear; and 9
Whereas, it has been demonstrated in numerous research studies that jurisdictions 10
with more inclusive social policies consistently correlate with a higher economic standard of 11
living; and 12
Whereas, to maintain its position as one of the nation's fastest -growing states, foster 13
long-term prosperity, and drive meaningful progress, North Carolina must promote 14
nondiscrimination and ensure that it remains w elcoming to all individuals, facilitating an 15
inclusive and dynamic workforce and economy; Now, therefore, 16
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 17
18
PART I. HATE CRIME PREVENTION 19
20
ENACT THE HATE CRIMES PREVENTION ACT 21
SECTION 1.1.(a) G.S. 14-3 reads as rewritten: 22
"§ 14-3. Punishment of misdemeanors, infamous offenses, offenses committed in secrecy 23
and malice, or with deceit and intent to defraud, or with ethnic animosity. as a 24
hate crime. 25
… 26
(c) If any Class 2 or Class 3 misdemeanor is committed because of the by a person 27
motivated by, in whole or in part, a victim's race, color, religion, nationality, or country of origin, 28
actual or perceived personally identifying characteristic, the offender shall be guilty of a Class 1 29
misdemeanor. If any Class A1 or Class 1 misdemeanor offense is committed because of the by a 30
person motivated by, in whole or in part, a victim's race, color, religion, nationality, or country 31
of origin, actual or perceived personally identifying characteristic, the offender shall be guilty of 32
a Class H felony. 33
(d) In addition to any other remedies at law or in equity, a victim of an offense punished 34
under subsection (c) of this section, or an immediate family member of the victim, may, in a civil 35
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action in any court of competent jurisdiction, obtain appropriate relief from the person who 1
committed the offense , including actual damages, punitive damages, any reasonable attorney s' 2
fees, and any other litigation costs reasonably incurred. For purposes of this subsection, the term 3
(i) "actual damages " includes damages for emotional distress and (ii) "immediate family 4
member" means a child, sibling, parent, grandparent, or legal guardian of the victim. 5
(e) In addition to any other remedies at law or in equity, a person who has been convicted 6
of or who has pleaded guilty or no contest to having engaged in conduct in violation of subsection 7
(c) of this section may be ordered to participate in a restorative justice session with the victim of 8
the offense if the victim requests a restorative justice session. If restorative justice under this 9
subsection is ordered, the court shall select a member of a local Human Relations Commission, 10
an attorney, a mediator, or an alternative dispute resolution professional , who has training in 11
racial equity education, to conduct the restorative justice session. All costs of a restorative justice 12
session ordered under this subsection shall be paid by the defendant. 13
(f) For purposes of this section, the term "personally identifying characteristic" means 14
any characteristic protected by the nondiscrimination provisions of the International Convention 15
on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), identified in supporting decisions or General Comments 16
of the United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC), or both protected by the 17
nondiscrimination provisions of the ICCPR and identified in supporting decisions or General 18
Comments of the UNHRC." 19
SECTION 1.1.(b) G.S. 14-401.14 reads as rewritten: 20
"§ 14 -401.14. Ethnic intimidation; teaching any technique to be used for ethnic 21
intimidation.Intimidation by hate crime; teaching any technique to be used in 22
the commission of a hate crime. 23
(a) If a person shall, because of race, color, religion, nationality, or country of origin, 24
motivated by , in whole or in part, a person 's actual or perceived personally identifying 25
characteristic, shall assault another that person, or damage or deface the property of another that 26
person, or threaten to do any such act, he the person shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. 27
… 28
(c) In addition to any other remedies at law or in equity, a victim of an offense committed 29
under this section, or an immediate family member of the victim, may, in a civil action in any 30
court of competent jurisdiction, obtain appropriate relief from the person who commi tted the 31
offense, including actual damages, punitive damages, any reasonable attorney s' fees, and any 32
other litigation costs reasonably incurred. For purposes of this subsection, the term (i) "actual 33
damages" includes damages for emotional distress and (ii) "immediate family member" means a 34
child, sibling, parent, grandparent, or legal guardian of the victim. 35
(d) In addition to any other remedies at law or in equity, a person who has been convicted 36
of or who has pleaded guilty or no contest to having engaged in conduct in violation of subsection 37
(a) of this section may be ordered to participate in a restorative justice session with the victim of 38
the offense if the victim requests a restorative justice session. If restorative justice under this 39
subsection is ordered, the court shall select a member of a local Human Relations Commission, 40
an attorney, a mediator, or an alternative dispute resolution professional, who has training in 41
racial equity education, to conduct the restorative justice session. All costs of a restorative justice 42
session ordered under this subsection shall be paid by the defendant. 43
(e) For purposes of this section, the term "personally identifying characteristic" is as 44
defined in G.S. 14-3." 45
SECTION 1.1.(c) G.S. 15A-1340.16(d)(17) reads as rewritten: 46
"(17) The offense for which the defendant stands convicted was committed against 47
a victim because of the motivated by, in whole or in part, a victim's race, color, 48
religion, nationality, or country of origin. actual or perceived personally 49
identifying characteristic. For purposes of this subdivision, the term 50
"personally identifying characteristic" is as defined in G.S. 14-3." 51
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SECTION 1.1.(d) Article 8 of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by 1
adding a new section to read: 2
"§ 14-34.11. Felonious assault as a hate crime. 3
(a) For purposes of this section, the term (i) "personally identifying characteristic" is as 4
defined in G.S. 14-3 and (ii) "serious bodily injury" is bodily injury that creates a substantial risk 5
of death or that causes serious permanent disfigurement, coma, a permanent or protracted 6
condition that causes extreme pain, or permanent or protracted loss or impairment of the function 7
of any bodily member or organ or that results in prolonged hospitalization. 8
(b) Anyone who, motivated by, in whole or in part, the actual or perceived personally 9
identifying characteristic of a person, assaults that person and inflicts serious bodily injury to the 10
person or attempts to assault that person and inflict serious bodily injury to the person is guilty 11
of committing the offense of felonious assault as a hate crime. 12
(c) Except as provided otherwise by this section, an offense committed under this section 13
is a Class F felony. 14
(d) An offense committed under this section is a Class E felony if either of the following 15
applies: 16
(1) Death results from the offense. 17
(2) The offense includes a violation or attempted violation of any of the 18
following: 19
a. G.S. 14-39 (kidnapping). 20
b. G.S. 14-27.21 (first-degree forcible rape). 21
c. G.S. 14-27.22 (second-degree forcible rape). 22
d. G.S. 14-27.26 (first-degree forcible sexual offense). 23
e. G.S. 14-27.27 (second-degree forcible sexual offense). 24
(e) Evidence of expressions or associations of the accused may not be introduced as 25
substantive evidence at trial unless the evidence specifically relates to the crim e charged under 26
this section. Nothing in this section shall affect the rules of evidence governing the impeachment 27
of a witness. 28
(f) In addition to any other remedies at law or in equity, a victim of an offense committed 29
under this section, or an immediate family member of the victim, may, in a civil action in any 30
court of competent jurisdiction, obtain appropriate relief from the person who committed the 31
offense, including actual damages, punitive damages, any reasonable attorney s' fees, and any 32
other litigation costs reasonably incurred. For purposes of this subsection, the term (i) "actual 33
damages" includes damages for emotional distress and (ii) "immediate family member" means a 34
child, sibling, parent, grandparent, or legal guardian of the victim. 35
(g) In addition to any other remedies at law or in equity, a person who has been convicted 36
of or who has pleaded guilty or no contest to having engaged in conduct in violation of subsection 37
(b) of this section may be ordered to participate in a restorative justice session with the victim of 38
the offense if the victim requests a restorative justice session. If restorative justice under this 39
subsection is ordered, the court shall select a member of a local Human Relations Commission, 40
an attorney, a mediator, or an alternative dispute resolution professional, who has training in 41
racial equity education, to conduct the restorative justice session. All costs of a restorative justice 42
session ordered under this subsection shall be paid by the defendant." 43
SECTION 1.1.(e) Article 13A of Chapter 143B of the General Statutes is amended 44
by adding a new section to read: 45
"§ 143B-1209. Hate crime statistics. 46
(a) Establishment. – The State Bureau of Investigation shall collect, analyze, and 47
disseminate information regarding the commission of offenses punishable under G.S. 14-3(c), 48
14-401.14, or 14 -34.11. The information collected, analyzed, and disseminated by the State 49
Bureau of Investigation shall include all of the following: 50
(1) The total number of offenses committed for each type. 51
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(2) Identifying characteristics of the person who committed the offense and the 1
victim from each offense. 2
(3) The disposition of each offense. 3
(b) Report by Law Enforcement Agencies. – By no later than the fifteenth day of each 4
month, all State and local law enforcement agencies shall report information to the State Bureau 5
of Investigation on offenses committed in the law enforcement agency's jurisdiction that the law 6
enforcement agency determines to meet the criteria set forth in subsection (a) of this section. A 7
report shall include (i) any information about the offense s required by the State Bureau of 8
Investigation and (ii) only the offenses committed during the month prior to the date the report 9
is submitted. The State Bureau of Investigation shall set the format in which reports are to be 10
submitted under this subsection. 11
(c) Report by the State Bureau of Investigation. – By January 15 of each year, the State 12
Bureau of Investigation shall submit to the General Assembly a report on the information the 13
State Bureau of Investigation collected and analyzed under subsection (a) of this section during 14
the calendar year prior to the date the report is submitted . Additionally, the State Bureau of 15
Investigation shall publish a copy of the report required under this subsection on its website. 16
(d) Requests for Information. – Upon request of a local law enforcement agency, a unit 17
of local government, or a State agency , the State Bureau of Investigation shall share any 18
information collected and analyzed under subsection (a) of this section with the requesting local 19
law enforcement agency, unit of local government, or State agency." 20
SECTION 1.1.(f) The State Bureau of I nvestigation shall develop and implement 21
guidelines for (i) the information required to be submitted by local law enforcement agencies 22
under G.S. 143B-1209(b), as enacted by subsection (e) of this section, and (ii) the format in which 23
the information is to be reported by local law enforcement agencies under G.S. 143B-1209(b). 24
The State Bureau of Investigation shall publish the guidelines required under this subsection on 25
its website no later than 60 days prior to the date the first report is required to be submitted under 26
G.S. 143B-1209. 27
SECTION 1.1.(g) Notwithstanding any provision of G.S. 143B-1209, as enacted by 28
subsection (e) of this section, to the contrary, the first report required under G.S. 143B-1209(b) 29
shall be submitted by February 15, 2026, and the first report required under G.S. 143B-1209(c) 30
shall be submitted and published by January 15, 2027. 31
SECTION 1.1.(h) There is appropriated from the General Fund to the State Bureau 32
of Investigation the sum of one million eight hundred ninety thousand d ollars ($1,890,000) in 33
nonrecurring funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to cover any costs incurred in establishing the 34
hate crimes statistics database required under G.S. 143B-1209(a), as enacted by subsection (e) of 35
this section. 36
SECTION 1.1.(i) There is appropriated from the General Fund to the State Bureau 37
of Investigation the sum of five hundred thirty thousand dollars ($530,000) in recurring funds for 38
the 2025-2026 fiscal year to hire an additional employee to manage the hate crimes statistics 39
database required under G.S. 143B-1209(a), as enacted by subsection (e) of this section. 40
SECTION 1.1.(j) G.S. 17D-2(c) reads as rewritten: 41
"(c) Duties of the academy. The North Carolina Justice Academy shall have, but is not 42
limited to, the following functions: 43
… 44
(5) It shall develop and provide training to law enforcement officers on how to 45
identify, respond to, and report a hate crime. For purposes of this subdivision, 46
the term "hate crime " means an offense punishable under G.S. 14-3(c), 47
14-401.14, or 14-34.11." 48
SECTION 1.1.(k) G.S. 17C-6(a) reads as rewritten: 49
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"(a) In addition to powers conferred upon the Commission elsewhere in this Chapter, the 1
Commission shall have the following powers, which shall be enforceable through its rules and 2
regulations, certification procedures, or the provisions of G.S. 17C-10: 3
… 4
(2) Establish minimum educational and training standards that must be met in 5
order to qualify for entry level employment and retention as a criminal justice 6
officer in temporary or probationary sta tus or in a permanent position. The 7
standards for entry level employment shall include all of the following: 8
… 9
d. Education and training under G.S. 17D-2(c)(5) on how to identify, 10
respond to, and report a hate crime. 11
… 12
(14) Establish minimum standards for in-service training for criminal justice 13
officers. In-service training standards shall include all of the following: 14
… 15
j. Training under G.S. 17D-2(c)(5) on how to identify, respond to, and 16
report a hate crime. 17
… 18
(17) Establish minimum educational and training standards for employment and 19
continuing education for criminal justice officers concerning: 20
… 21
c. Pursuant to G.S. 17D-2(c)(5), identifying, responding to, and 22
reporting a hate crime. 23
…." 24
SECTION 1.1.(l) G.S. 17E-4(a) reads as rewritten: 25
"(a) The Commission shall have the following powers, duties, and responsibilities, which 26
are enforceable through its rules and regulations, certification procedures, or the provisions of 27
G.S. 17E-8 and G.S. 17E-9: 28
… 29
(2) Establish minimum educational and training st andards that may be met in 30
order to qualify for entry level employment as an officer in temporary or 31
probationary status or in a permanent position. The standards for entry level 32
employment of officers shall include all of the following: 33
… 34
d. Training under G.S. 17D-2(c)(5) on how to identify, respond to, and 35
report a hate crime. 36
… 37
(11) Establish minimum standards for in -service training for justice officers. 38
In-service training standards shall include all of the following: 39
… 40
j. Training under G.S. 17D-2(c)(5) on how to identify, respond to, and 41
report a hate crime. 42
… 43
(13) Establish minimum educational and training standards for employment and 44
continuing education for officers concerning: 45
… 46
c. Pursuant to G.S. 17D-2(c)(5), identifying, responding to, and 47
reporting a hate crime. 48
…." 49
SECTION 1.1.(m) G.S. 7A-413 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: 50
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"(e) The Conference shall develop and provide training to prosecutors on how to prosecute 1
hate crimes. For purposes of this subsection, the term "hate crimes" means an offense punishable 2
under G.S. 14-3(c), 14-401.14, or 14-34.11." 3
SECTION 1.1.(n) Subsections (a) through (e) of this section become effective 4
December 1, 2025, and apply to offenses committed on or after that date. Subsection (f) of this 5
section becomes effective January 1, 2026. The remainder of this section becomes effective July 6
1, 2025. 7
8
PROHIBIT DEFENSE BASED ON ACTUAL OR PERCEIVED PERSONALLY 9
IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTIC 10
SECTION 1.2.(a) Article 6 of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by 11
adding a new section to read: 12
"§ 14-18.3. Prohibited defense. 13
(a) Prohibition. – Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the discovery of, 14
perception of, or belief about another person 's actual or perceived personally identifying 15
characteristics, whether or not accurate, is not a defense to a prosecution under this Article and 16
is not provocation negating malice as an element of murder. 17
(b) Construction. – Nothing in this section shall be construed as precluding the admission 18
of evidence of a victim 's or witness 's conduct, behavior, or statements that is relevant and 19
otherwise admissible. 20
(c) Definition. – For purposes of this section, the term "personally identifying 21
characteristic" is as defined in G.S. 14-3." 22
SECTION 1.2.(b) Article 8 of Chapter 14 of the General Statutes is amended by 23
adding a new section to read: 24
"§ 14-34.12. Prohibited defense. 25
(a) Prohibition. – Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the discovery of, 26
perception of, or belief about another person 's actual or percei ved personally identifying 27
characteristics, whether or not accurate, is not a defense to a prosecution under this Article. 28
(b) Construction. – Nothing in this section shall be construed as precluding the admission 29
of evidence of a victim 's or witness 's conduct, behavior, or statements that is relevant and 30
otherwise admissible. 31
(c) Definition. – For purposes of this section, the term "personally identifying 32
characteristic" is as defined in G.S. 14-3." 33
SECTION 1.2.(c) Prosecutions for offenses committed before the effective date of 34
this section are not abated or affected by this section, and the statutes that would be applicable 35
but for this section remain applicable to those prosecutions. 36
SECTION 1.2.(d) This section becomes effective December 1, 2025, and applies to 37
offenses committed on or after that date. 38
39
PART II. DEFINITION OF DISCRIMINATION 40
SECTION 2.1. Chapter 12 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new 41
section to read: 42
"§ 12-3.3. Definition of discrimination. 43
(a) Discrimination is defined as any action, policy, practice, or omission that imposes 44
harm or disadvantage on, excludes, or denies opportunities to, a group or member of a group, 45
without an objectively verifiable and overriding necessity dir ectly linked to a specific, lawful, 46
and compelling objective. No justification shall be deemed valid unless it meets the following 47
strict criteria: 48
(1) Objective necessity. – The action, policy, or practice must serve a clear, 49
compelling, and demonstrable necessity, and there must be no reasonable, 50
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alternative means to achieve the objective that would impose less harm or 1
disparity. 2
(2) Evidence-based justification. – Any justification must be supportable by clear, 3
consistent, and empirically verifiable evidence, not assumptions, stereotypes, 4
or generalizations about distinct groups. 5
(3) Least harmful means. – If an action, policy, or standard disproportionately 6
affects a group or member of a group, it must be the least restrictive or harmful 7
method available to achieve the stated objective. 8
(b) The provisions of this section shall not be construed to diminish or infringe upon any 9
right protected under the First Amendment to the United States Constitution or the Constitution 10
of North Carolina." 11
SECTION 2.2. Chapter 41A of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new 12
section to read: 13
"§ 41A-3.1. Definition of discrimination. 14
For the purposes of this Chapter, "discrimination" is defined by G.S. 12-3.3." 15
16
PART III. PROTECTION AGAINST HOUSING DISCRIMINATION 17
SECTION 3.1.(a) G.S. 41A-3 reads as rewritten: 18
"§ 41A-3. Definitions. 19
For the purposes of this Chapter, the following definitions apply: The following definitions 20
apply in this Chapter: 21
(1) The "Commission" means the Commission. – The North Carolina Human 22
Relations Commission;Commission. 23
(1a) "Covered multifamily dwellings" means:Covered multifamily dwelling. – 24
a. A building, including all units and common use areas, in which there 25
are four or more units if the building has one or more elevators; or 26
b. Ground floor units and ground floor common use areas in a building 27
with four or more units. 28
(1b) "Familial status" means one Familial status. – One or more persons who have 29
not attained the age of 18 years being domiciled with: 30
a. A parent or another person having legal custody of the person or 31
persons; or 32
b. The designee of the parent or other person having custody, provided 33
the designee has the written permission of the parent or other person. 34
The protections against discrimination on the basis of familial status shall 35
apply to any person who is pregnant or is in the process of securing legal 36
custody of any person who has not attained the age of 18 years. 37
(2) "Family" includes Family. – Includes a single individual;individual. 38
(3) "Financial institution" means any Financial institution. – Any banking 39
corporation or trust company, savings and loan association, credit union, 40
insurance company, or related corporation, partnership, foundation, or other 41
institution engaged primarily in lending or investing funds;funds. 42
(3a) "Handicapping condition" means (i) a Handicapping condition. – (i) A 43
physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more of a 44
person's major life activities, (ii) a record of having such an impairment, or 45
(iii) being regarded as having such an impairment. Handicapping condition 46
does not include current, illegal use of or addiction to a controlled substance 47
as defined in 21 U.S.C. § 802, the Controlled Substances Act. The protections 48
against discrimination on the basis of handicapping condition shall apply to a 49
buyer or renter of a dwelling, a person residing in or intending to reside in the 50
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dwelling after it is sold, rented, or made available, or any person associated 1
with the buyer or renter. 2
(4) "Housing accommodation" means any Housing accommodation. – Any 3
improved or unimproved real property, or part thereof, which is used or 4
occupied, or is intended, arranged, or designed to be used or occupied, as the 5
home or residence of one or more individuals;individuals. 6
(4a) Non-business purpose. – Any purpose that does not concern a prospective or 7
actual buyer's or tenant's actual ability to pay compensation in a real estate 8
transaction based upon the actual knowledge of the owner, lessor, agent, or 9
vendor. 10
(5) "Person" means any Person. – Any individual, association, corporation, 11
political subdivision, partnership, labor union, legal representative, mutual 12
company, joint stock company, trust, trustee in bankruptcy, unincorporated 13
organization, or other legal or commercial entity, the State, or governmental 14
entity or agency;agency. 15
(6) "Real estate broker or salesman" means a Real estate broker or salesperson. – 16
Any person, whether licensed or not, who, for or with the expectation of 17
receiving a consideration, lists, sells, purchases, exchanges, rents, or leases 18
real property, or who negotiates or attempts to negotiate any of these activities, 19
or who holds himself out as engaged in these activities, or who negotiates or 20
attempts to negotiate a loan secured or to be secured by mortgage or other 21
encumbrance upon real property, or who is engaged in the business of listing 22
real property in a publication; or a person employed by or acting on behalf of 23
any of these persons;person. 24
(7) "Real estate transaction" means the Real estate transaction. – The sale, 25
exchange, rental, or lease of real property;property. 26
(8) "Real property" means a Real property. – A building, structure, real estate, 27
land, tenement, leasehold, interest in real estate cooperatives, condominium, 28
and hereditament, corporeal and incorporeal, or any interest therein." 29
SECTION 3.1.(b) G.S. 41A-4 reads as rewritten: 30
"§ 41A-4. Unlawful discriminatory housing practices. 31
(a) It is an unlawful discriminatory housing practice for any person in a real estate 32
transaction, because of the protec ted status of another person to: transaction to discriminate 33
against a person by doing any of the following based upon a non-business purpose: 34
(1) Refuse to engage in a real estate transaction; 35
(2) Discriminate against a person in the terms, conditions, or privileges of a real 36
estate transaction or in the furnishing of facilities or services in connection 37
therewith; 38
(2a), (2c) Repealed by Session Laws 2009-388, s. 1, effective October 1, 2009. 39
(3) Refuse to receive or fail to transmit a bona fide offer to engage in a real estate 40
transaction; 41
(4) Refuse to negotiate for a real estate transaction; 42
(5) Represent to a person that real property is not available for inspection, sale, 43
rental, or lease when in fact it is so available, or fail to bring a property listing 44
to his attention, or refuse to permit him to inspect real property; 45
(6) Make, print, circulate, post, or mail or cause to be so published a statement, 46
advertisement, or sign, or use a form or application for a real estate transaction, 47
or make a record or inquiry in connection with a prospective real estate 48
transaction, which indicates directly or indirectly, an intent to make a 49
limitation, specification, or discrimination with respect thereto; 50
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(7) Offer, solicit, accept, use, or retain a listing of real property with the 1
understanding that any person may be discriminated against in a real estate 2
transaction or in the furnishing of facilities or services in connection 3
therewith; or 4
(8) Otherwise make unavailable or deny housing. 5
… 6
(b1) It is an unlawful discriminatory housing practice for any person or other entity whose 7
business includes engaging in residential real estate related transactions to discriminate against 8
any person in making available such a transaction, or in the terms and conditions of such a 9
transaction, because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicapping condition, or 10
familial status. based upon a non-business purpose. As used in this subsection, "residential real 11
estate related transaction" means: 12
(1) The making or purchasing of loans or providing financial assistance (i) for 13
purchasing, constructing, improving, repairing, or maintaining a dwelling, or 14
(ii) where the security is residential real estate; or 15
(2) The selling, brokering, or appraising of residential real estate. 16
The provisions of this subsection shall not prohibit any financial institution from using a loan 17
application which inquires into a person's financial and dependent obligations or from basing its 18
actions on the income or financial abilities of any person. 19
(c) It is an unlawful discriminatory housing practice for a person to induce or attempt to 20
induce another to enter into a real estate transaction from which such person may profit: 21
(1) By representing that a change has occurred, or may or will occur in the 22
composition of the residents of the block, neighborhood, or area in which the 23
real property is located with respect to race, color, religion, sex, national 24
origin, handicapping condition, or familial status of the owners or occupants; 25
or 26
(2) By representing that a change has resulted, or may or will result in the 27
lowering of property values, an increase in criminal or antisocial behavior, or 28
a decline in the quality of schools in the block, neighborhood, or area in which 29
the real property is located. 30
(d) It is an unlawful discriminatory housing practice to deny any person who is otherwise 31
qualified by State law access to or membership or participation in any real estate brokers' 32
organization, multiple listing service, or other service, organization, or facility relating to the 33
business of engaging in real estate transactions, or to discriminate in the terms or conditions of 34
such access, membership, or participation because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, 35
handicapping condition, or familial status.based upon a non-business purpose. 36
… 37
(g) It is an unlawful discriminatory housing practice to discriminate in land-use decisions 38
or in the permitting of development based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, 39
handicapping condition, familial status, or, except as otherwise provided by law, the fact that a 40
development or proposed development contains affordable housing units for families or 41
individuals with incomes below eighty percent (80%) of area median income. It is not a violation 42
of this Chapter if land-use decisions or permitting of development is based on considerations of 43
limiting high concentrations of affordable housing." 44
SECTION 3.1.(c) G.S. 41A-5(a) reads as rewritten: 45
"§ 41A-5. Proof of violation. 46
(a) It is a violation of this Chapter if: 47
(1) A person by his the person's act or failure to act intends to discriminate against 48
a person. A person intends to discriminate if, in committing an unlawful 49
discriminatory housing practice described in G.S. 41A-4 he the person was 50
motivated in full, or in any part at all, by race, color, religion, sex, national 51
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origin, handicapping condition, or familial status. a non-business purpose. An 1
intent to discriminate may be established by direct or circumstantial evidence. 2
(2) A person's act or failure to act has the effect, regardless of intent, of 3
discriminating, as set forth in G.S. 41A-4, against a person of a particular race, 4
color, religion, sex, national origin, handicapping condition, or familial status. 5
based upon a non -business pur pose. However, it is not a violation of this 6
Chapter if a person whose action or inaction has an unintended discriminatory 7
effect, proves that his action or inaction was motivated and justified by 8
business necessity. 9
…." 10
11
PART IV. PROTECTION AGAINST EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION 12
SECTION 4.1.(a) G.S. 143-422.2 reads as rewritten: 13
"§ 143-422.2. Legislative declaration. 14
(a) It is the public policy of this State to protect and safeguard the right and opportunity 15
of all persons to seek, obt ain and hold employment without discrimination account of race, 16
religion, color, national origin, age, sex or handicap by employers which regularly employ 15 17
one or more employees. For the purposes of this section, "discrimination" is defined by 18
G.S. 12-3.3. 19
(b) It is recognized that the practice of denying employment opportunity and 20
discriminating in the terms of employment foments domestic strife and unrest, deprives the State 21
of the fullest utilization of its capacities for advancement and development, and substantially and 22
adversely affects the interests of employees, employers, and the public in general. 23
(c) Repealed by Session Laws 2017-4, s. 1, effective March 30, 2017." 24
SECTION 4.1.(b) G.S. 126-16 reads as rewritten: 25
"§ 126-16. Equal opportunity for employment and compensation by State departments and 26
agencies and local political subdivisions. 27
All State agencies, departments, and institutions and all local political subdivisions of North 28
Carolina shall give equal opportunity for employment and compensation, without regard to race, 29
religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or genetic information compensation without 30
discrimination as defined by G.S. 12-3.3 to all persons otherwise qualified." 31
SECTION 4.1.(c) G.S. 126-34.02(b) reads as rewritten: 32
"(b) The following issues may be heard as contested cases after completion of the agency 33
grievance procedure and the Office of State Human Resources review: 34
(1) Discrimination or harassment. – An applicant for State employment, a State 35
employee, or former State employee may allege discrimination or harassment 36
based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic 37
information, or political affiliation if the employee believes that he or she has 38
been discriminated against in his or her application for employment or in the 39
terms and conditions of the employee's employment, or in the termination of 40
his or her employment. 41
(2) Retaliation. – An applicant for State employment, a State employee, or former 42
State employee may allege retaliation for protesting discrimination based on 43
race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, political affiliation, 44
or genetic information if the employee believes that he or she has been 45
retaliated against in his or her application for employment or in the terms and 46
conditions of the employee's employment, or in the termination of the 47
employee's employment. 48
(3) Just cause for dismissal, demotion, or suspension. – A career State employee 49
may allege that he or she was dismissed, demoted, or suspended for 50
disciplinary reasons without just cause. A dismissal, demotion, or suspension 51
General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
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which is not imposed for disciplinary reasons shall not be considered a 1
disciplinary action within the meaning of this section. However, in contested 2
cases cond ucted pursuant to this section, an employee may appeal an 3
involuntary nondisciplinary separation due to an employee's unavailability in 4
the same fashion as if it were a disciplinary action, but the agency shall only 5
have the burden to prove that the employee was unavailable. In cases of such 6
disciplinary action the employee shall, before the action is taken, be furnished 7
with a statement in writing setting forth the specific acts or omissions that are 8
the reasons for the disciplinary action and the employee 's appeal rights. The 9
employee shall be permitted 15 days from the date the statement is delivered 10
to appeal under the agency grievance procedure. However, an employee may 11
be suspended without warning pending the giving of written reasons in order 12
to avoid undue disruption of work, to protect the safety of persons or property, 13
or for other serious reasons. 14
(4) Veteran's preference. – An applicant for State employment or a State 15
employee may allege that he or she was denied veteran's preference in 16
violation of the law. 17
(5) Failure to post or give priority consideration. – An applicant for State 18
employment or a State employee may allege that he or she was denied hiring 19
or promotion because a position was not posted in accordance with this 20
Chapter; or a career State employee may allege that he or she was denied a 21
promotion as a result of a failure to give priority consideration for promotion 22
as required by G.S. 126-7.1; or a career State employee may allege that he or 23
she was denied hiring as a result of the fai lure to give him or her a 24
reduction-in-force priority. 25
(6) Whistleblower. – A whistleblower grievance as provided for in this Chapter." 26
SECTION 4.1.(d) This section is effective when it becomes law. 27
28
PART V. PROTECT AGAINST PUBLIC ACCOMMODATION DISCRIMINATION 29
SECTION 5.1.(a) Chapter 143 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new 30
Article to read: 31
"Article 49B. 32
"Equal Access to Public Accommodations. 33
"§ 143-422.10A. Short title; definitions. 34
(a) This Article shall be known and may be cited as the "Equal Access to Public 35
Accommodations Act." 36
(b) The following definitions apply in this Article: 37
(1) Discrimination. – As defined by G.S. 12-3.3. 38
(2) Non-business purpose. – Any purpose that does not concern a prospective or 39
actual customer's or client 's actual ability to pay compensation in exchange 40
for goods or services based on the actual knowledge of the proprietor or 41
vendor. 42
(3) Place of accommodation. – Has the same meaning as defined in 43
G.S. 168A-3(8) but shall exclude any private club or other establishment not, 44
in fact, open to the public. 45
"§ 143-422.11A. Legislative declaration. 46
It is the public policy of this State to protect and safeguard the right and opportunity of all 47
individuals within the State to enjoy fully and equally the goods, services, facilities, privileges, 48
advantages, and accommodations of places of public accommod ation free of discrimination 49
based upon a non-business purpose. 50
"§ 143-422.12A. Investigations; conciliations. 51
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(a) The Human Relations Commission in the Department of Administration shall have 1
the authority to receive, investigate, and conciliate complaints of discrimination in public 2
accommodations. Throughout this process, the Human Relations Commission shall use its good 3
offices to effect an amicable resolution of the complaints of discrimination. 4
(b) If the Commission is unable to effect an ami cable resolution of the charges of 5
discrimination, the complainant and the Commission may proceed with an enforcement action 6
using the procedures provided in G.S. 41A-7." 7
SECTION 5.1.(b) This section is effective when it becomes law. 8
9
PART VI. PROTECTION AGAINST CREDIT DISCRIMINATION 10
SECTION 6.1.(a) Article 1 of Chapter 75 of the General Statutes is amended by 11
adding a new section to read: 12
"§ 75-45. Discrimination by lenders prohibited. 13
(a) Discrimination Prohibited. – A person engaged in any form of lending money in this 14
State, or to residents of this State , may discriminate in the extension of credit only on the basis 15
of a prospective or actual borrower's or customer's ability to repay the extension of credit. 16
(b) Filing of Complaint With Human Relations Commission. – Any person who claims 17
credit discrimination or who reasonably believes that he or she will be irrevocably injured by a 18
violation of subsection (a) of this section may file a complaint with the North Carolina Human 19
Relations Commission established under G.S. 7A-761. Upon receipt of a complaint, t he 20
Commission shall work with the relevant parties to develop an amicable resolution to the charge 21
of discrimination. If the Commission is unable to effect an amicable resolution of the charges of 22
discrimination, the complainant and the Commission may proceed with an enforcement action 23
using the procedures provided in G.S. 41A-7. Filing of a complaint pursuant to this subsection 24
shall not preclude the filing of an action pursuant to subsection (c) of this section. For the 25
purposes of this section, "discrimination" is defined by G.S. 12-3.3. 26
(c) Violation an Unfair and Deceptive Trade Practice. – A violation of subsection (a) of 27
this section shall constitute an unfair trade practice in violation of G.S. 75-1.1." 28
SECTION 6.1.(b) This section is effective when it becomes law. 29
30
PART VII. PROTECTION AGAINST INSURANCE DISCRIMINATION 31
SECTION 7.1.(a) G.S. 58-3-25 reads as rewritten: 32
"§ 58-3-25. Discriminatory practices prohibited. 33
… 34
(c) No insurer shall refuse to insure or refuse to continue to insure an individual; limit the 35
amount, extent, or kind of coverage available to an individual; or charge an individual a different 36
rate for the same coverage, because of the race, color, or national or ethnic origin of that 37
individual. discrimination as defined by G.S. 12-3.3. This subsection supplements the provisions 38
of G.S. 58-3-120, 58-33-80, 58-58-35, and 58-63-15(7)." 39
SECTION 7.1.(b) This section is effective when it becomes law. 40
41
PART VIII. PROTECTION AGAINST EDUCATION DISCRIMINATION 42
SECTION 8.1.(a) G.S. 115C-47 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read: 43
"(70) To Adopt a Policy on Nondiscrimination in Schools. – Each local board of 44
education shall adopt a policy to establish that the local board of education 45
and school personnel employed by the local board shall not engage in 46
discrimination as defined by G.S. 12-3.3. The policy shall include that any 47
person who claims to have been injured by an unlawful discriminatory 48
practice or who reasonably believes that he or she will be irrevocably injured 49
by an unlawful discriminatory practice may file a complaint with the North 50
Carolina Human Relations Commission established under G.S. 7A-761. Upon 51
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receipt of a complaint, the Commission shall work with the relevant parties to 1
develop an amicable resolution to the charge of discrimination. If the 2
Commission is unable to effect an amicable resolution of the charges of 3
discrimination, the complainant and the Commission may proceed with an 4
enforcement action using the procedures provided in G.S. 41A-7." 5
SECTION 8.1.(b) Part 1I of Article 9 of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes is 6
amended by adding a new section to read: 7
"§ 115C-112.10. Nondiscrimination requirement. 8
A nonpublic school that accepts eligible students receiving scholarship grants shall not 9
engage in discrimination as defined by G.S. 12-3.3. Any person who claims to have been injured 10
by an unlawful discriminatory practice or who reasonably believes that he or she will be 11
irrevocably injured by an unlawful discriminatory practice may file a complaint with the North 12
Carolina Human Relations Comm ission (Commission) established under G.S. 7A-761. Upon 13
receipt of a complaint, the Commission shall work with the relevant parties to develop an 14
amicable resolution to the charge of discrimination. If the Commission is unable to effect an 15
amicable resolution of the charge of discrimination, the complainant and the Commission may 16
proceed with an enforcement action using the procedures provided by G.S. 41A-7." 17
SECTION 8.1.(c) G.S. 115C-218.45(e) reads as rewritten: 18
"(e) Except as otherwise provided by law or the mission of the school as set out in the 19
charter, the school shall not limit admission to students on the basis of intellectual ability, 20
measures of achievement or aptitude, athletic ability, or disability. A charter school shall not limit 21
admission to students on the basis of race, creed, national origin, religion, or ancestry. subject 22
any student to discrimination as defined by G.S. 12-3.3. A charter school who se mission is 23
single-sex education may limit admission on the basis of sex. Within one year after the charter 24
school begins operation, the charter school shall make efforts for the population of the school to 25
reasonably reflect the racial and ethnic composition of the general population residing within the 26
local school administrative unit in which the school is located or the racial and ethnic composition 27
of the special population that the school seeks to serve residing within the local school 28
administrative unit in which the school is located. The school shall be subject to any 29
court-ordered desegregation plan in effect for the local school administrative unit." 30
SECTION 8.1.(d) G.S. 115C-218.55 reads as rewritten: 31
"§ 115C-218.55. Nondiscrimination in charter schools. 32
A charter school shall not discriminate against any student on the basis of ethnicity, national 33
origin, gender, or disability.subject any student to discrimination as defined by G.S. 12-3.3. Any 34
person who claims to have been injured by an unlawful discriminatory practice or who reasonably 35
believes that he or she will be irrevocably injured by an unlawful discriminatory practice may 36
file a complaint with the North Carolina Human Relations Commission established under 37
G.S. 7A-761. Upon receipt of a complaint, the Commission shall work with the relevant parties 38
to develop an amicable resolution to the charge of discrimination. If the Commission is unable 39
to effect an amicable resolution of the charges of discrimination, the complainant and the 40
Commission may proceed with an enforcement action using the procedures provided in 41
G.S. 41A-7." 42
SECTION 8.1.(e) G.S. 115C-562.5(c1) reads as rewritten: 43
"(c1) A nonpublic school shall not engage in discrimination as defined by G.S. 12-3.3 or 44
discriminate with respect to the categories listed in 42 U.S.C. § 2000d, as that statute read on 45
January 1, 2014. Any person who claims to have been injured by an unlawful discriminatory 46
practice or who reasonably believes that he or she will be irrevocably injured by an unlawful 47
discriminatory practice may file a complaint with the North Carolina Human Relations 48
Commission established under G.S. 7A-761. Upon receipt of a complaint, the Commission shall 49
work with the relevant parties to develop an amicable resolution to the charge of discrimination. 50
If the Commission is unable to effect an amicable resolution of the charges of discrimination, the 51
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complainant and the Commission may proceed with an enforcement action using the procedures 1
provided in G.S. 41A-7. For the pur poses of this section, "discrimination" is defined by 2
G.S. 12-3.3." 3
SECTION 8.2. G.S. 115D-77 reads as rewritten: 4
"§ 115D-77. Nondiscrimination policy. 5
It is the policy of the State Board of Community Colleges and of local boards of trustees of 6
the State of North Carolina not to discriminate among students on the basis of race, gender, 7
national origin, religion, age, or disability.engage in discrimination as defined by G.S. 12-3.3. 8
The State Board and each board of trustees shall give equal opportunity for employment and 9
compensation of personnel at community colleges with out discrimination. Any person who 10
claims to have been injured by an unlawful discrim inatory practice or who reasonably believes 11
that he or she will be irrevocably injured by an unlawful discriminatory practice may file a 12
complaint with the North Carolina Human Relations Commission established under 13
G.S. 7A-761. Upon receipt of a complaint, the Commission shall work with the relevant parties 14
to develop an amicable resolution to the charge of discrimination. If the Commission is unable 15
to effect an amicable resolution of the charges of discrimination, the complain ant and the 16
Commission may proceed with an enforcement action using the procedures provided in 17
G.S. 41A-7. For the purposes of this section, "discrimination" is defined by G.S. 12-3.3." 18
SECTION 8.3. G.S. 116-11 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read: 19
"(2b) The Board of Governors shall adopt a policy to provide that The University 20
of North Carolina and its affiliates and personnel employed by The University 21
of North Carolina and its affiliates shall not engage in any form of 22
discrimination as defined by G.S. 12-3.3. The policy shall include that any 23
person who claims to have been the subject of discrimination or who 24
reasonably believes that he or she will be irrevocably injured by an unlawful 25
discriminatory practice may file a complaint with the North Carolina Human 26
Relations Commission established under G.S. 7A-761. Upon receipt of a 27
complaint, the Commission shall work with the relevant parties to develop an 28
amicable resolution to the charge of discrimination. If the Commission is 29
unable to effect an amicable resolution of the charges of discrimination, the 30
complainant and the Commission may proceed with an enforcement action 31
using the procedures provided in G.S. 41A-7. For the purposes of this section, 32
"discrimination" is defined by G.S. 12-3.3." 33
SECTION 8.4. This Part is effective when it becomes law. 34
35
PART IX. PROTECTION AGAINST DISCRIMINATION IN JURY SERVICE 36
SECTION 9.1.(a) G.S. 15A-1214 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: 37
"(k) A citizen may not be excluded from jury service in this State on acc ount of 38
discrimination as defined by G.S. 12-3.3." 39
SECTION 9.1.(b) This section is effective when it becomes law. 40
41
PART X. ALIGN STATE ANTIDISCRIMINATION LAWS 42
SECTION 10.1.(a) The General Assembly finds that: 43
(1) North Carolina does n ot have a comprehensive antidiscrimination statute 44
similar in scope to some of the ordinances that cities in this State have adopted. 45
(2) Instead, the State has a patchwork of protections against unlawful 46
discrimination with a range of requirements and rem edies that are not 47
necessarily consistent. 48
(3) Therefore, this legislation amends various protection statutes that now exist in 49
order to broaden and refine existing State antidiscrimination law to achieve 50
equality for all. 51
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House Bill 645-First Edition Page 15
(4) Aligning all State antidiscrimination laws into a single and consistent array of 1
rights, obligations, and protections will best serve the people of this State. 2
SECTION 10.1.(b) The Legislative Research Commission (LRC) shall conduct a 3
review of State antidiscrimination laws to develop legislative proposals that will further equality 4
for all in North Carolina through comprehensive legislation. The LRC shall report its findings 5
and recommendations to the 2027 General Assembly. 6
SECTION 10.1.(c) This section is effective when it becomes law. 7
8
PART XI. PROTECTION OF MINORS AND ADULTS WHO HAVE DISABILITI ES 9
FROM ATTEMPTS TO CHA NGE SEXUAL ORIENTATI ON AND GENDER 10
IDENTITY 11
SECTION 11.1.(a) Chapter 90 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new 12
Article to read: 13
"Article 1O. 14
"Mental Health Protection Act. 15
"§ 90-21.160. Short title. 16
This Article shall be known as the "Mental Health Protection Act." 17
"§ 90-21.161. Definitions. 18
The following definitions apply in this Article: 19
(1) Adult under guardianship. – An adult who has been adjudicated incompetent, 20
in accordance with Chapter 35A of the General Statutes, and who is incapable 21
of providing consent for conversion therapy or a s imilar course of therapy or 22
treatment. 23
(2) Conversion therapy. – As defined by the American Psychological Association 24
in the most recent edition of the Dictionary of Psychology. 25
"§ 90-21.162. Conversion therapy prohibited. 26
(a) The following professionals shall not engage in conversion therapy with an individual 27
under 18 years of age or an adult under guardianship: 28
(1) Licensed clinical social worker as defined in G.S. 90B-3. 29
(2) Licensed marriage and family therapist as defined in G.S. 90-270.47. 30
(3) Licensed clinical mental health counselor as defined in G.S. 90-330. 31
(4) Psychiatrist licensed in accordance with Article 1 of this Chapter. 32
(5) Licensed psychologist as defined in G.S. 90-270.136. 33
(b) Conversion therapy practiced by any professional listed in subsection (a) of this 34
section shall be considered unprofessional conduct and shall subject each licensed professional 35
who engages in the practice of conversion therapy to discipline under the licensed professional's 36
respective licensing entity. 37
(c) The Department of Health and Human Services shall report to the appropriate 38
licensing entity any professional found to be in violation of this section . The Department may 39
adopt rules to set forth and implement reporting requirements of violations of this section. 40
"§ 90-21.163. Prohibited State funding. 41
No State funds, nor any funds belonging to a municipality, agency, or political subdivision 42
of this State, shall be expended for the purpose of conducting conversion therapy, referring an 43
individual for conversion therapy, health benefits coverage for conversion therapy, or a grant or 44
contract with any entity that conducts conversion therapy or refers individuals for conversion 45
therapy." 46
SECTION 11.1.(b) This section is effective when it becomes law and applies to acts 47
on or after that date. 48
49
PART XII. ENSURE DOM ESTIC VIOLENCE PROTE CTIVE ORDERS ARE 50
AVAILABLE FOR SAME-SEX COUPLES 51
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SECTION 12.1. G.S. 50B-1(b) reads as rewritten: 1
"(b) For purposes of this section, the term "personal relationship" means a relationship 2
wherein the parties involved:involved either: 3
(1) Are current or former spouses;spouses. 4
(2) Are persons of opposite sex who live together or have lived together;together. 5
(3) Are related as parents and children, including others acting in loco parentis to 6
a minor child, or as grandparents and grandchildren. For purposes of this 7
subdivision, an aggrieved party may not obtain an order of protection against 8
a child or grandchild under the age of 16;16. 9
(4) Have a child in common;common. 10
(5) Are current or former household members;members. 11
(6) Are persons of the opposite sex who are in a dating relationship or have been 12
in a dating relationship. For purposes of this subdivision, a dating relationship 13
is one wherein the parties are romantically involved over time and on a 14
continuous basis during the course of the relationship. A casual acquaintance 15
or ordinary fraternization between persons in a business or social context is 16
not a dating relationship." 17
SECTION 12.2. This Part is effective when it becomes law and applies to domestic 18
violence protective orders issued on or after that date. 19
20
PART XIII. CODIFY TH E ESSENTIAL HOLDINGS OF ROE V. WADE AND 21
PLANNED PARENTHOOD OF SOUTHEASTERN PA V. CASEY 22
SECTION 13.1.(a) Chapter 90 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new 23
Article to read: 24
"Article 1P. 25
"Codify Roe and Casey Protections. 26
"§ 90-21.170. Short title. 27
This Article shall be known and may be cited as "Codify Roe and Casey Protections." 28
"§ 90-21.171. Purpose. 29
The purpose of this Article is to codify the essential holdings of Roe v. Wade, 410 U.S. 113 30
(1973), and Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pennsylvania v. Casey, 505 U.S. 833 (1992). 31
"§ 90-21.172. Allowable requirements. 32
(a) The State shall not impose an undue burden on the ability of a woman to choose 33
whether or not to terminate a pregnancy before fetal viability. 34
(b) The State may do any of the following: 35
(1) Restrict the ability of a woman to choose whether or not to terminate a 36
pregnancy after fetal viability, unless such a termination is necessary to 37
preserve the life or health of the woman. 38
(2) Enact laws, rules, or regulations, as applicable, to further the health or safety 39
of a woman seeking to terminate a pregnancy. 40
(c) For the purposes of this section, the term "undue burden " means any burden that 41
places a substantial obstacle in the path of a woman seeking to terminate a pregnancy prior to 42
fetal viability. 43
(d) Nothing in this Article shall be construed to have any effect on laws regarding 44
conscience protection." 45
SECTION 13.1.(b) This section is effective when it becomes law. 46
47
PART XIV. UNLIMITED RIGHT TO USE CONTRAC EPTION TO PREVENT 48
PREGNANCY 49
SECTION 14.1.(a) Chapter 90 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new 50
Article to read: 51
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House Bill 645-First Edition Page 17
"Article 44. 1
"Right to Use Contraception. 2
"§ 90-751.1. Title. 3
This Article may be cited as the "Right to Use Contraception Act." 4
"§ 90-751.2. Legislative declaration. 5
The right to use contraception implicates the fundamental liberty to prevent pregnancy. It is 6
the policy of the State of North Carolina that this State has no legitimate governmental interest 7
in limiting the freedom to use contraception to prevent pregnancy." 8
SECTION 14.1.(b) This section is effective when it becomes law. 9
10
PART XV. RIGHT TO ACCESS ASSISTED REPRODUCTIVE TECHNOLOGY 11
SECTION 15.1. Chapter 90 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new 12
Article to read: 13
"Article 1Q. 14
"Assisted Reproductive Technology. 15
"§ 90-21.180. Definitions. 16
As used in this Article, the following terms have the following meanings: 17
(1) Assisted reproductive technology. – All treatments or procedures that include 18
the handling of human oocytes or human embryos, including in vitro 19
fertilization, gamete intrafallopian transfer, and zygote intrafallopian transfer. 20
(2) Health care provider. – Either of the following: 21
a. An individual who is licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized under 22
this Chapter to provide health care services in the ordinary course of 23
business or practice of a profession or in an approved education or 24
training program. 25
b. A health care facility licensed under Chapter 131E of the General 26
Statutes to provide health care services to patients. 27
The term "health care provider " includes (i) an agent or employee of a 28
health care facility that is licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized to 29
provide health care services , (ii) the officers and directors of a health care 30
facility, and (iii) an agent or employee of a health care pr ovider who is 31
licensed, certified, or otherwise authorized to provide health care services. 32
(3) Health care service. – A health or medical procedure or service rendered by a 33
health care provider that meets either of the following criteria: 34
a. Provides testing, diagnosis, or treatment of a health condition, illness, 35
injury, or disease. 36
b. Dispenses drugs, medical devices, medical appliances, or medical 37
goods for the treatment of a health condition, illness, injury, or disease. 38
"§ 90-21.182. Right to access assisted reproductive technology. 39
Neither the State nor any of its political subdivisions shall prohibit, unreasonably limit, or 40
interfere with any of the following: 41
(1) The right of a patient to access assisted reproductive technology. 42
(2) The right of a health care provider to provide or assist with the provision of 43
evidence-based information related to assisted reproductive technology. 44
(3) The right of a health care provider to perform or assist with the performance 45
of assisted reproductive technology. 46
"§ 90-21.184. Fertilized human egg or human embryo not a human being. 47
A fertilized human egg or human embryo that exists in any form outside of the uterus of a 48
human body shall not, under any circumstance, be considered an unborn fetus, an unborn child, 49
a minor child, a natural person, or any other term that connotes a human being for any purpose 50
under State law. 51
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"§ 90-21.186. Construction. 1
Nothing in this Article shall be construed to prohibit the enforcement of health and safety 2
laws related to the operation of health care facilities or the pr ovision of health care services by 3
health care providers." 4
5
INCREASE FUNDING FOR MEDICAID MATERNAL SUPPORT SERVICES 6
SECTION 15.2. Effective July 1, 2025, there is appropriated from the General Fund 7
to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Health Benefits, the sum of five 8
hundred thousand dollars ($500,000) in recurring funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to be used 9
to increase funding for Medicaid maternal support services, also known as the Baby Love 10
Program. These funds shall provide a State match for nine hundred thirteen thousand dollars 11
($913,000) in recurring federal funds for the 2025 -2026 fiscal year, and those federal funds are 12
appropriated to the Division of Health Benefits to be used for this same purpose. 13
SECTION 15.3. Except as otherwise provided, this Part is effective when it becomes 14
law. 15
16
PART XVI. ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE IN NORTH CAROLINA 17
SECTION 16.1.(a) The General Assembly finds all of the following: 18
(1) According to American Journal of Public Health studies published in 2014 19
and 2018 and affirmed by decades of research, Black, Indigenous, and Persons 20
of Color (BIPOC) and individuals with low income are disproportionately 21
exposed to environmental hazards and unsafe housing, facing higher levels of 22
air and water pollution, mold, lead, and pests. 23
(2) The cumulative impacts of environmental harms disproportionately and 24
adversely impact the hea lth of BIPOC and communities with low income, 25
with climate change functioning as a threat multiplier. These disproportionate 26
adverse impacts are exacerbated by lack of access to affordable energy, 27
healthy food, green spaces, and other environmental benefits. 28
(3) Since 1994, Executive Order 12898 has required federal agencies to make 29
achieving environmental justice part of their mission by identifying and 30
addressing disproportionately high and adverse human health or 31
environmental effects of its programs, po licies, and activities on minority 32
populations and populations with low incomes in the United States. 33
(4) In 2018, the Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Environmental 34
Quality established the Secretary's Environmental Justice and Advisory 35
Board. 36
(5) Executive Order 14008 issued in 2021 created the White House 37
Environmental Justice Interagency Council within the Executive Office of the 38
President and the White House Environmental Justice Advisory Council 39
within the Environmental Protection Agency. 40
(6) Following Executive Order 14008, the U.S. Department of the Interior enacted 41
Secretary Order 3399 to establish the Climate Task Force to address current 42
and historic environmental injustice. This order also made it the Department's 43
mission to consider environmental justice when conducting National 44
Environmental Protection Act analyses. 45
(7) Executive Order 14096 issued in 2023 established a goal that forty percent 46
(40%) of the overall benefits of certain federal climate, clean energy, 47
affordable and sust ainable housing, and other investments flow to 48
disadvantaged communities that are marginalized by underinvestment and 49
overburdened by pollution. 50
General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
House Bill 645-First Edition Page 19
(8) Governor Cooper issued Executive Order 246 in 2022 and Executive Order 1
292 in 2023 directing various action s to advance environmental justice in 2
North Carolina, including requirements that agencies consider environmental 3
justice when taking actions related to climate change, resilience, and clean 4
energy, and identify an environmental justice lead to serve as the point person 5
for agency environmental justice efforts. 6
(9) State agencies receiving federal funds are also subject to the 7
antidiscrimination requirements of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 8
(10) In response to the documented inadequacy of state and federal environmental 9
and land use laws to protect vulnerable communities, increasing numbers of 10
states have adopted formal environmental justice laws and policies. 11
(11) The 1991 Principles of Environmental Justice adopted by The First National 12
People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit demand the right of all 13
individuals to participate as equal partners at every level of decision making, 14
including needs assessment, planning, implementation, enforcement, and 15
evaluation. 16
(12) Section 33 of Article I of the North Carolina Constitution establishes the 17
government as a vehicle for the common benefit, protection, and security of 18
the State's citizens and not for the particular emolument or advantage of any 19
single set of persons who are only a part of that community. This principle, 20
coupled with Section 1 of Article I of the North Carolina Constitution's 21
guarantee of equal rights to enjoying life, liberty, and enjoyment of the fruits 22
of their own labor, and the assurance of timely and equitable justice for all set 23
forth in Article I. Sections 18 and 19 of Article I of the North Carolina 24
Constitution encourage political officials to identify how particular 25
communities may be unequally burdened or receive unequal protection under 26
the law due to race, income, or geographic location. 27
(13) Lack of a clear environmental justice policy has resulted in a piecemeal 28
approach to understanding and addressing environmental justice in North 29
Carolina and creates a barrier to establishing clear definitions, metrics, and 30
strategies to ensure meaningful engagement and more equitable distribution 31
of environmental benefits and burdens. 32
(14) It is the State's responsibility to pursue environmental justice for its residents 33
and to ensure that its agencies do not contribute to unfair distribution of 34
environmental benefits to or environmental burdens on low -income, 35
limited-English proficient, and BIPOC communities. 36
SECTION 16.1.(b) Chapter 143 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new 37
Article to read: 38
"Article 21D. 39
"Environmental Justice. 40
"§ 143-215.130. Purpose. 41
The purpose of this Article is to identify, reduce, and eliminate environmental health 42
disparities to improve the health and well-being of all State residents. 43
"§ 143-215.131. Definitions. 44
The following definitions apply in this Article: 45
(1) Communities of color. – Communities in which the share of nonwhites and 46
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) residents is forty percent (40%) or higher or 47
at least ten percent (10%) higher than the residing county or State share. 48
(2) Community. – A group of individuals living in geographic proximity to one 49
another as a census block group or at the municipal level. 50
General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 20 House Bill 645-First Edition
(3) Disproportionate impact. – Disproportionately higher adverse health or 1
environmental effects on communities of color, low -income communities, 2
limited English language proficiency communities , or indigenous 3
communities at levels that are statistically significant. 4
(4) Environmental benefits. – The assets and services that enhance the capability 5
of communities and individuals to function and flourish in society. Examples 6
of environmental benefits include access to a healthy environment and clean 7
natural resources, including air, water, land, green spaces, constructed 8
playgrounds, and other outdoor recreational faci lities and venues; affordable 9
clean renewable energy sources; public transportation; fulfilling and dignified 10
green jobs; healthy homes and buildings; health care; nutritious food; 11
indigenous food and cultural resources; environmental enforcement; and 12
training and funding disbursed or administered by governmental agencies. 13
(5) Environmental burdens. – Any significant impact to clean air, water, and land, 14
including any destruction, damage, or impairment of natural resources 15
resulting from intentional or reas onably foreseeable causes. Examples of 16
environmental burdens include climate change impacts; air and water 17
pollution; improper sewage disposal; improper handling of solid wastes and 18
other noxious substances; excessive noise; activities that limit access to green 19
spaces, nutritious food, indigenous food or cultural resources, or constructed 20
outdoor playgrounds and other recreational facilities and venues; inadequate 21
remediation of pollution; reduction of groundwater levels; increased flooding 22
or stormwater flows; home and building health hazards, including lead paint, 23
lead plumbing, asbestos, and mold; and damage to inland waterways and 24
waterbodies, wetlands, forests, green spaces, or constructed playgrounds or 25
other outdoor recreational facilities and venues from private, industrial, 26
commercial, and government operations or other activities that contaminate 27
or alter the quality of the environment and pose a risk to public health. 28
(6) Environmental justice. – The just treatment and meaningful involvement of 29
all people, regardless of income, race, color, national origin, tribal affiliation, 30
or English language proficiency, in State action that affect human health, 31
well-being, quality of life, and the environment so that people: 32
a. Are protected from disproportionate and adverse human health effects 33
and environmental hazards, including those related to climate change, 34
the cumulative impacts of environmental and other burdens, and the 35
legacy of racism or other structural barriers. 36
b. Have equitable access to environmental benefits in which to live, play, 37
work, learn, grow, worship, and engage in cultural and subsistence 38
practices. 39
c. Have meaningful participation in decision -making processes, 40
including the development, implementation, and enforcement of 41
environmental laws, regulations, and policies. 42
(7) Environmental justice communities. – Communities of color, low -income 43
communities, indigenous communities, and limited English language 44
proficiency communiti es that experience, or are at risk of, environmental 45
burdens or lack access to environmental benefits. 46
(8) Indigenous communities. – Communities where "American Indian Tribes," as 47
defined by 01 NCAC 15 .0292, reside or where the share of American and 48
Alaskan Native populations are five percent (5%) higher than the residing 49
county or State share. 50
General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
House Bill 645-First Edition Page 21
(9) Limited English language proficiency communities. – Communities where at 1
least one percent (1%) or more of households do not have a member 14 years 2
or older who speaks English "very well " as defined by the U.S. Census 3
Bureau. 4
(10) Low-income communities. – Communities in which the share of population 5
experiencing poverty is more than twenty percent (20%) or the share of 6
households in poverty is at least five percent (5%) higher than the residing 7
county or State share. 8
(11) Meaningful participation. – The opportunity for all individuals to participate 9
in energy, climate change, and environmental decision making. Examples 10
include needs assessments, planning, implementation, permitting, compliance 11
and enforcement, and evaluation. Meaningful participation also integrates 12
diverse knowledge systems, histories, traditions, languages, and cultures of 13
indigenous communities in decision -making processes and requires that 14
communities are enabled and administratively assisted to participate fully 15
through education and training. Finally, meaningful participation requires the 16
State to operate in a transparent manner with regard to opportunities for 17
community input and also encourages the development of environmental, 18
energy, and climate change stewardship. 19
(12) Program. – The Environmental Justice Program of the Department of 20
Environmental Quality. 21
(13) Rules Review Commission. – As defined in G.S. 143B-30.1. 22
"§ 143-215.132. Environmental justice State policy. 23
It is the policy of the State that no segment of the population of the State should, because of 24
its racial, cultural, or economic makeup, bear a disproportionate share of environmental burdens 25
or be denied an equitable share of environmental benefits. It is further the policy of the State to 26
provide the opp ortunity for the meaningful participation of all individuals, with particular 27
attention to environmental justice communities, in the development, implementation, or 28
enforcement of any law, regulation, or policy. 29
"§ 143-215.133. Implementation of State policy. 30
(a) As used in this Article, "covered agencies" means the following State agencies: the 31
Departments of Environmental Quality, Health and Human Services, Transportation, Commerce, 32
Public Safety, Agriculture and Consumer Services, and Public Instructi on and the Utilities 33
Commission. 34
(b) The covered agencies shall consider cumulative environmental burdens and access to 35
environmental benefits when making decisions about the environment, energy, climate, and 36
public health projects; facilities and infrastructure; and associated funding. 37
(c) Each of the covered agencies shall create and adopt on or before July 1, 202 7, a 38
community engagement plan that describes how the agency will engage with environmental 39
justice communities as it evaluates new and existing activities and programs. Each plan shall 40
describe how the agency plans to provide meaningful participation in compliance with Title VI 41
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 42
(d) The covered agencies shall submit an annual summary beginning on January 15 , 43
2026, and annually thereafter , to the Environmental Justice Advisory Council, detailing all 44
complaints alleging environmental justice issues or Title VI violations and any agency action 45
taken to resolve the complaints. The Advisory Council shall provide any recommendations 46
concerning those reports within 60 days after receipt of the complaint summaries. Agencies shall 47
consider the recommendations of the Advisory Council pursuant to sub-subdivision (c)(1)e. of 48
G.S. 143-215.135 and substantively respond in writing if an agency chooses not to implement 49
any of the recommendations within 90 days after receipt of the recommendations. 50
General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 22 House Bill 645-First Edition
(e) The Program, in consultation with the Environmental Justice Advisory Council and 1
the Interagency Environmental Justice Committee, shall review the definitions contained in 2
G.S. 143-215.131 at least every five years and recommend revisions to the General Assembly to 3
ensure the definition achieves the environmental justice State policy. 4
(f) The Program, in consultation with the Interagency Environmental Justice Committee 5
and the Environmental Justice Advisory Council, shall issue guidance on how the covered 6
agencies shall determine which investments provide environmental benefits to environmental 7
justice communities on or before September 15, 202 5. A draft versio n of the guidance shall be 8
released for a 40-day public comment period before being finalized. 9
(g) Covered Agency Baseline Spending Reports. – 10
(1) On or before February 15, 202 6, the covered agencies shall, in accordance 11
with the guidance document developed by the Program pursuant to subsection 12
(f) of this section, review the past three years and generate baseline spending 13
reports that include all of the following: 14
a. Where investments were made, if any, and which geographic areas, at 15
the municipal or census block group level, where practicable, received 16
environmental benefits from those investments. 17
b. A description and quantification of the environmental benefits as an 18
outcome of the investment. 19
(2) The covered agencies shall publicly post the baseline spending reports on their 20
respective websites. 21
(h) On or before July 1, 202 6, it shall be the goal of the covered agencies to direct 22
investments proportionately in environmental justice communities. 23
(1) Beginning on January 15, 2028, and annually thereafter, the covered agencies 24
shall either integrate the following information into existing annual spending 25
reports or issue annual spending reports that include all of the following: 26
a. Where investments were made and which geographic areas, at the 27
municipal and census block group level, where practicable, received 28
environmental benefits from those investments. 29
b. The percentage of overall environmental benefits from those 30
investments provided to environmental justice communities. 31
(2) The covered agencies shall publicly post the annual spending reports on their 32
respective websites. 33
(i) Beginning on January 15, 202 7, the covered agencies shall each issue and publicly 34
post an annual report summarizing all actions taken to incorporate environmental justice into its 35
policies or determinations, rulemaking, permit proceedings, or project review. 36
"§ 143-215.134. Rulemaking. 37
(a) On or before July 1, 2027, the Department of Environmental Quality, in consultation 38
with the Environmental Justice Advisory Council and the Interagency Environmental Justice 39
Committee, shall adopt rules to: 40
(1) Define cumulative environmental burdens; 41
(2) Implement consideration of cumulative environmental burdens within the 42
Program; and 43
(3) Inform how the public and the covered agencies implement the consideration 44
of cumulative environmental burdens and use the environmental justice 45
mapping tool developed by the Program. 46
(b) On or before July 1, 202 8, and as appropriate thereafter, the covered agencies, in 47
consultation with the Environmental Justice Advisory Council, shall adopt or amend policies and 48
procedures, plans, guidance, and rules, where applicable, to implement this Article. 49
(c) The following requirements apply to rulemaking by covered agencies: 50
General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
House Bill 645-First Edition Page 23
(1) Prior to drafting new rules required by this Article, agencies shall consult with 1
the Environmental Justice Advisory Council to discuss the scope and 2
proposed content of rules to be developed. Agencies shall also submit draft 3
rulemaking concepts to the Advisory Council for review and comment. Any 4
proposed rule shall be provided to the Advisory Council not less than 45 days 5
prior to submitting the proposed rule or rules to the Rules Review Commission 6
(RRC). 7
(2) The Advisory Council shall vote and record individual members ' support or 8
objection to any proposed rule before it is submitted to RRC and make 9
documentation of that proceeding as part of the rulemaking record submitted 10
to RRC. 11
"§ 143-215.135. Environmental Justice Advisory Council and Interagency Environmental 12
Justice Committee. 13
(a) Advisory Council and Interagency Committee. – 14
(1) There is created: 15
a. The Environmental Justice Advisory Council (Advisory Council) to 16
provide independent advice and recommendations to State agencies 17
and the General Assembly on matters relating to environmental 18
justice, including the integration of environmental justice principles 19
into State programs, policies, regulations, legislation, and activities. 20
b. The Interagency Environmental Justice Committee (Interagency 21
Committee) to guide and coordinate State agency implementation of 22
the environmental justice State policy and provide recommendations 23
to the General Assembly for amending the definitions and protections 24
set forth in this Article. 25
(2) Appointments to the groups created in this subsection shall be made on or 26
before December 15, 2025. 27
(3) Both the Advisory Council and the Interagency Committee shall consider and 28
incorporate the Equitable Access & Just Transition to Clean Energy 29
provisions of the North Carolina Clean Energy Plan in their work. 30
(b) Meetings. – The Advisory Council and the Interagency Committee shall each meet 31
not more than eight times per year, with at least four meetings occurring jointly. Meetings may 32
be held in person, remotely, or in a hybrid format to facilitate maximum participation and shall 33
be recorded and publicly posted on the Secretary's website. 34
(c) Duties. – 35
(1) The Advisory Council shall have the following duties: 36
a. To advise State agencies on environmental justice issues and on how 37
to incorporate environmental justice into agency procedures and 38
decision making and evaluate the potential for environmental burdens 39
or disproportionate impacts on environmental justice communities as 40
a result of State actions and the potential for environmental benefits to 41
environmental justice communities. 42
b. To a dvise State agencies in the development of community 43
engagement plans. 44
c. To advise State agencies on the use of the environmental justice 45
mapping tool established by the Program and on the enhancement of 46
meaningful participation, reduction of environmental burdens, and 47
equitable distribution of environmental benefits. 48
d. To review and provide feedback to the relevant State agency, pursuant 49
to G.S. 143-215.134(c), on any proposed rules for implementing this 50
Article. 51
General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 24 House Bill 645-First Edition
e. To receive and review annual State agency summaries of complaints 1
alleging environmental justice issues, including Title VI complaints, 2
and suggest options or alternatives to State agencies for the resolution 3
of systemic issues raised in or by the complaints. 4
(2) The Interagency Committee shall have the following duties: 5
a. To c onsult with the Program in the development of the guidance 6
document required by G.S. 143-215.133(f) on how to determine which 7
investments provide environmental benefits to environmental justice 8
communities. 9
b. On or before July 1, 2025, to develop, in consultation with the Program 10
and the Environmental Justice Advisory Council, a set of core 11
principles to guide and coordinate the development of the State agency 12
community engagement plans required under G.S. 143-215.133(c). 13
(3) The Advisory Council and the Interagency Committee shall jointly: 14
a. Consider and recommend to the General Assembly, on or before 15
December 1, 202 6, amendments to the terminology, thresholds, and 16
criteria of the definition of environmental justice communities, 17
including whether to include populations more likely to be at higher 18
risk for poor health outcomes in response to environmental burdens. 19
b. Examine existing data and studies on environmental justice and 20
consult with State, federal, and local agencies and affected 21
communities regarding the impact of current statutes, regulations, and 22
policies on the achievement of environmental justice. 23
(d) Membership. – 24
(1) Advisory Council. – Each member of the Advisory Council shall be well 25
informed regarding environmental justice principles and committed to 26
achieving envi ronmental justice in North Carolina and working 27
collaboratively with other members of the Advisory Council. To the greatest 28
extent practicable, Advisory Council members shall represent diversity in 29
race, ethnicity, age, gender, urban and rural areas, and different regions of the 30
State. The Advisory Council shall consist of the following 11 members, with 31
a goal to have more than fifty percent (50%) residing in environmental justice 32
communities: 33
a. The head of the Program or designee. 34
b. The following members appointed by the Governor: 35
1. One representative of municipal government. 36
2. One representative of a social justice organization. 37
3. One representative of mobile home park residents. 38
4. One representative of a statewide environmental organization. 39
5. One person representing an organization working on food 40
security issues. 41
c. One person who resides in a census block group that is designated as 42
an environmental justice community by the House of Representatives 43
upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of 44
Representatives. 45
d. One person who is a representative of immigrant communities in 46
North Carolina appointed by the Senate upon the recommendation of 47
the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. 48
e. One representative of a State -recognized Native American Indian 49
tribe, recommended and appointed by the North Carolina Indian 50
Affairs Commission. 51
General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
House Bill 645-First Edition Page 25
f. The Executive Director of the North Carolina Housing Finance 1
Agency or designee. 2
g. The Executive Director of the N orth Carolina Land and Water Fund 3
or designee. 4
(2) Interagency Committee. – The Interagency Committee shall consist of the 5
following nine members: 6
a. The Superintendent of Public Instruction or designee. 7
b. The Secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality or 8
designee. 9
c. The Secretary of Transportation or designee. 10
d. The Director of the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency or 11
designee. 12
e. The Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Cons umer 13
Services or designee. 14
f. The Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services or 15
designee. 16
g. The Director of the Division of Emergency Management of the 17
Department of Public Safety or designee. 18
h. The Secretary of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources or 19
designee. 20
i. The Chair of the Utilities Commission or designee. 21
(3) The Advisory Council and the Interagency Committee may each elect two 22
cochairs. 23
(4) After initial appointments, all appointed members of the Advisory Council 24
shall serve six-year terms and serve until a successor is appointed. The initial 25
terms shall be staggered so that one-third of the appointed members shall serve 26
a two -year term, another third of the appointed members shall serve a 27
four-year term, and the remaining members shal l be appointed to a six -year 28
term. 29
(5) Vacancies of the Advisory Council shall be appointed in the same manner as 30
original appointments. 31
(6) The Advisory Council shall have the administrative, technical, and legal 32
assistance of the Program." 33
SECTION 16.1.(c) Reports. – On or before December 15, 2027, the Program shall 34
submit a report to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations and the Fiscal 35
Research Division of the General Assembly describing whether the baseline spending reports 36
completed pursuant to G.S. 143-215.133(g), as enacted by subsection (b) of this section, indicate 37
if any municipalities or portions of municipalities are routinely underserved with respect to 38
environmental benefits, taking into consideration whether those areas receive, averaged across 39
three years, a significantly lower percentage of environmental benefits from State investments as 40
compared to other municipalities or portions of municipalities in the State. This report shall 41
include a recommendation as to whether a statutory definition of "underserved community" and 42
any other revisions to Article 21D of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes, as enacted by 43
subsection (b) of this section, are necessary to best carry out the policies described in this section. 44
SECTION 16.1.(d) This section is effective when it becomes law. 45
46
PART XVII. DIVISION OF MOTOR VEHICLES TO OFFER APPLICATION, FORM, 47
AND TEST IN NATIVE LANGUAGE OF APPLICANT 48
SECTION 17.1.(a) G.S. 20-7 reads as rewritten: 49
"§ 20-7. Issuance and renewal of drivers licenses. 50
… 51
General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 26 House Bill 645-First Edition
(c2) Applicants with Limited English Proficiency. – Upon the request of the applicant, the 1
Division shall provide a copy of any application, form, or test required for licensure under this 2
section in the native language of the applicant. 3
…." 4
SECTION 17.1.(b) This section becomes effective October 1, 2025. 5
6
PART XVIII. EFFECTIVE DATE 7
SECTION 18.1. Except as otherwise specifically provided, this act is effective when 8
it becomes law. 9