Legislative Update–4/3/15
Last week, in advance of the Senate bill introduction deadline, we saw an influx of senate bills. This week, it was the House’s turn to put some new bills in play (though their deadline isn’t until 4/14). Please note that all legislators will be on ‘spring break’ next week, though hopefully they’ll stay away from Panama City.
New Bills
HB399, the Young Offender’s Rehabilitation Act — This bill would raise the age at which youth are tried as adults for minor crimes from 16-years-old to 18-years-old. North Carolina will soon be the last state in the country with the ineffective and outdated practice of prosecuting all 16- and 17-year-olds as adults. The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary II Committee.
HB424, Fostering Success — Like SB424, his bill would allow 18-year-olds to remain in foster care up to 19-years-old. This policy change would likely help youth in foster care achieve a more successful transition to independence. The bill has been referred to the Judiciary III Committee.
HB525, Medicaid Modernization — This bill is very similar, if not exactly the same, as Sen. Hise’s Medicaid Modernization bill introduced last week. The bill would implement a fully-capitated Medicaid system within four years and would create the Health Benefits Authority to oversee Medicaid and Health Choice. Click here to read NC Child’s Medicaid Reform Principles.
HB536, School Bus Cameras/Civil Penalties — HB536 has a Senate counterpart that is identical (SB298). The bill would allow local governments to use video evidence to assess civil fines for passing a school bus.
Bills on the Move
SB315, School Playgrounds Available to Public — This bill would allow local boards of education to make outdoor playgrounds available to the public. This is important particularly in areas where there are limited areas and opportunities for outdoor play. This bill passed the Senate yesterday.
HB358, School Performance Grade Scale (SB450) — The newly-implemented school grading scale was scheduled to adopt more stringent performance measures starting this school year. This bill maintains the current, slightly more lenient grading scale for the next two years. This is largely in response to the low grades many schools, particularly those in low-income areas, received last year. The bill has passed the House and been referred to the Senate Education Committee.
SB346, Enact Stricter Immunization Requirements — This bill is definitely not moving; in fact, a press release from the bill sponsors that was issued through the Senate President Pro Tem’s office announced the bill was dead for the year.
SB298, School Bus Cameras/Civil Penalities — The bill would allow local governments to use video evidence to assess civil fines for passing a school bus. It passed the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday and will next be heard in the Senate Judiciary II Committee.
Other Bills
SB272, Eliminate Personal Ed. Plans
HB134, Soliciting Prostitution/Immunity for Minors
HB187 / SB238, Stalking by GPS/Criminal Offense
S286, Regulate the Sale of E-Liquid Containers
HB250, Healthy Food Small Retailer/Corner Store Act
SB 297, Prenatal Narcotic Drug Use/Criminal Offense
SB343, Student Assault on Teacher/Felony Offense
HB158, Jim Fulghum Teen Skin Cancer Prevention Act
SB114, Custodial Parent/Party Cooperate w/ Child Suppport
SB526, Job Creation and Tax Relief Act of 2015
SB676, Autism Health Insurance Coverage
SB652, Prohibit Rehoming of an Adopted Minor Child
SB624, Private Schools/Firearms Amendments
SB519, Presumed Shared Parenting
SB578, Transfer Certain Abuse Investigations/DCDEE