NC Child Legislative Update: Mar. 27-May 1
Legislative Update–5/1/15
Crossover week means late night sessions, impromptu committee meetings, and other shenanigans; this week was no exception. We saw a special “good news” session in the Senate in which the Autism Insurance and the “Fostering Success” bills were approved, and we saw some whacky bills get the green light, too.
*A special note on the crossover deadline* — While many bills did not pass before the crossover deadline, those that include an appropriation remain eligible. Additionally, it’s common practice to “gut” a bill that has passed one chamber and replace it with the content of a bill that didn’t pass before crossover. Lastly, any of these policies could wind up in the budget, so nothing is ever truly dead.
Bills on the Move
SB676, Autism Health Insurance Coverage –– This bill would provide health insurance for Autism spectrum disorders. The bill passed the full Senate this week.
SB423, Foster Care Family Act (HB407) –– The purpose of this bill is create a more normal family environment, reduce stigma, and improve outcomes for children in foster care. Specifically, the bill would open the door for children in foster care to participate in normal, age-appropriate activities like spending the night at a friend’s house, playing a sport, and getting a driver’s license. The bill would also allow DHHS to pursue a Medicaid waiver and would provide liability insurance for foster parents.The Senate and House each passed slightly different versions, which means that one chamber will have to take up the other’s bill..
HB832, Revise Certain Policies/Child Care Subsidy — This bill would reinstate the prorated copayment for child care subsidies and redefine the family unit to include only parents and stepparents, which will allow other relative caregivers to continue to access child care subsidies. This bill is part of NC Child’s legislative agenda. This bill passed the House Health Committee and has been referred to the Appropriations Committee. We’re hopeful it will be included in the House budget proposal.
SB343, Student Assault on Teacher/Felony Offense — This bill would make assualt on a school employee an A1 misdemeanor for the first offense and Class H felony for the second offense. This means that a student could be charged with a high-level misdemeanor or felony without making any physical contact with a school employee. This bill passed the full Senate this week.
HB847, Amend Laws Re: Medical Treatment for Minors — This bill passed the full House this week, but the elimination of minor consent for medical treatement was removed.
HB803, School Performance Scores — This bill changes the formula for school performance grades from 80% test scores / 20% student growth to 50% test scores / 50% student growth. The bill passed the House this week.
SB652, Prohibit Rehoming of an Adopted Minor Child — This bill would make it illegal for adoptive parents to “re-home” (give away) their adopted child without a court order. This shameful trend has been on the rise across the country and needs to end. This bill passed the Senate this week.
HB669, Juvenile Law Changes/Abuse/Neglect/Dependency — This bill is a set of consensus recommendations from the AG, DSS, GAL, IDS, and others. Most changes included in the bill conform state laws to federal regulations and clarify certain state practices. The bill passed the full House this week.
HB816, Labor/Provide Relief for Caregivers — This bill has been renamed to “Study the Working Needs of Caregivers” and now just sets up a study committee on the issue. It passed the full House.
HB673, Modify Read to Achieve — This bill improves the reading portfolio and parental involvement components of the Read to Achieve law. The bill passed the full House this week.
HB142, Require Safety Helmets / Under 21 — This bill would have made it optional for adult riders of motorcycles to wear safety helmets. The bill was voted down in the House Rules Committee.
SB456, Charter School Modifications — This bill allows school districts to direct a greater percentage of funds towards charter schools at the expense of traditional public schools. The bill passed the Senate this week.
HB562, Amend Firearm Laws — This sweeping gun bill allows gun owners to bring firearms on school grounds (if the gun is locked in a vehicle), prohibits doctors from disclosing a patient’s gun ownership to law enforcement, and weakens limitations on concealed carry permits. The bill passed the Judiciary I Committee and will be considered in the Appropriations Committee next week.
Passed House Previously
HB539, School Playgrounds Available to Public
HB158, Jim Fulghum Teen Skin Cancer Prevention Act
HB380, School Safety Management
HB647, Epi Pens in All Child Serving Businesses
HB134, Soliciting Prostitution/Immunity for Minors
HB82, Execution/Nonsecure Custody Order/Child Abuse
HB13, Amend School Health Assessment Requirement
HB358, School Performance Grade Scale
HB237, Repeal Personal Ed Plan/Modify Trans Plans
Passed Senate Previously
SB198, Persons under 18 in Confinement Facilities
SB286, Regulate the Sale of E-Liquid Containers
SB298, School Bus Cameras/Civil Penalities (HB536)
SB114, Custodial Parent/Party Cooperate w/ Child Suppport
SB578, Transfer Certain Abuse Investigations/DCDEE
SB238, Stalking by GPS/Criminal Offense
Other Bills
*See special note on crossover deadline at the top of the email
SB272, Eliminate Personal Ed. Plans
HB187, Stalking by GPS/Criminal Offense (The Senate version of this bill did pass.)
HB250, Healthy Food Small Retailer/Corner Store Act (includes an appropriation–will be decided in the final state budget)
SB 297, Prenatal Narcotic Drug Use/Criminal Offense
SB331, Juvenile Code Reform (similar bill passed House (H879) and will likely be considered in the Senate)
SB526, Job Creation and Tax Relief Act of 2015 (Impacts finance and appropriations–will remain eligible)
SB624, Private Schools/Firearms Amendments
HB399, the Young Offender’s Rehabilitation Act (This bill will have an appropriation and will remain eligible.)
HB580, Ban Smoking in Foster Care Settings/Infants
HB646, Insurance Coverage for Autism Treatment (The Senate Autism Insurance bill will likely be the vehicle for this policy area.)
HB818, Enact ELECT Act/Caregiver Relief (This bill was rolled into HB816 as a study.)
HB648, Prohibit Toxic Flame Retardants in Bedding
HB424 / SB424, Fostering Success (These bills include an appropriation and will remain eligible.)