Don't Tread on Me Act.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
S 1
SENATE BILL 482

Short Title: Don't Tread on Me Act. (Public)
Sponsors: Senators Batch, Garrett, and Bradley (Primary Sponsors).
Referred to: Rules and Operations of the Senate
March 26, 2025
*S482-v-1*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT TO ENACT THE DON'T TREAD ON ME: AN INDIVIDUAL FREEDOMS ACT. 2
Whereas, the right to individual privacy is a cornerstone of a free society, and the 3
government has no business prying into private lives without a truly compelling reason; and 4
Whereas, medical decisions belong to individuals and families, not politicians, and 5
no one should have to navigate government red tape to make personal health choices; and 6
Whereas, parents – not the government – are responsible for raising thei r children, 7
deciding their education, and making healthcare decisions without interference from political 8
agendas; and 9
Whereas, every North Carolinian has a constitutional right to a strong public 10
education, and that means access to books, ideas, and knowledge without government censorship 11
or political gatekeeping; and 12
Whereas, discrimination by the government – whether based on race, religion, sex, 13
sexual orientation, or political beliefs – has no place in a free society, and equal protection under 14
the law must apply to everyone; Now, therefore, 15
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 16
SECTION 1. Chapter 99D of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new 17
Article 1, consisting of G.S. 99D-1. Article 1 shall be titled "Civil Rights." 18
SECTION 2. The Revisor of Statutes shall change references to "Chapter" in 19
G.S. 99D-1 to "Article." 20
SECTION 3. Chapter 99D of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new 21
Article to read: 22
"Article 2. 23
"Individual Freedoms. 24
"§ 99D-10. Individual Freedom Bill of Rights. 25
Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the following fundamental rights 26
are recognized and may not be violated absent a compelling State interest coupled by means to 27
achieve that interest that are narrowly tailored. For purposes of this Article, "narrowly tailored" 28
means are those that are no broader than necessary to accomplish the intended purpose. This bill 29
of rights includes all of the following: 30
(1) No person shall be subject ed to warrantless surveillance, tracking, or data 31
collection by any agency of the State or political subdivision of the State. 32
(2) No agency of the State or political subdivision of the State may require a 33
person to disclose private medical decisions, religious beliefs, or personal 34
political affiliations to obtain government benefits, employment, or services. 35
In addition, no agency of the State or political subd ivision of the State may 36
General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 2 Senate Bill 482-First Edition
make determinations with respect to government benefits, employment, or 1
services if such information is displayed or known. 2
(3) No agency of the State or political subdivision of the State may disclose, 3
weaponize, or track personal health information unlawfully. 4
(4) No agency of the State or political subdivision of the State may deny or restrict 5
reproductive health care, contraception, or any other medical treatment based 6
on ideology rather than medical science. 7
(5) No agency of the State or political subdivision of the State may override 8
parental authority without due process in cases of abuse, neglect, or harm. 9
(6) Education must be fact -based, ensuring (i) parental concerns are addressed 10
without restricting access to accurate historical and scientific information and 11
(ii) teaching s provide d are historically accurate and free from political 12
manipulation. 13
(7) No agency of the State or political subdivision of the State may compel a 14
person to affirm or promote a particular political ideology in public education 15
or workplace settings. 16
(8) No agency of the State or political subdivision of the State may deny a person 17
employment, housing, or public services based on private political beliefs, 18
medical history, or lawful personal conduct. 19
(9) No agency of the State or political subdivision of the State may interfere with 20
employment and housing rights in a way that is not fair and merit-based, free 21
from quotas and ideological discrimination." 22
SECTION 4. This act is effective when it becomes law. 23