#NCLEG Happenings Week 13

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NC Child Legislative Update: Mar. 20-24

Legislative Update–4/24/15

With only one week left until the April 30th crossover deadline, legislative committees are working hard to get as many bills to the floor as possible. As a reminder, the crossover deadline is the date by which all non-appropriations bills must pass either the House or the Senate to remain eligible for the remainder of session.

Bills on the Move

HB158, Jim Fulghum Teen Skin Cancer Prevention Act — This bill would prohibit minors from using tanning salons. The bill passed the House by a wide bipartisan majority this week.

HB647, Epi Pens in All Child Serving Businesses — This common sense legislation authorizes doctors and pharmacists to provide all child-serving business with epi pens. The bill passed the full House this week.

SB676, Autism Health Insurance Coverage –– This bill would provide health insurance for Autism spectrum disorders. The bill passed the Senate Insurance Committee this week and is on the calendar for a full Senate vote next week.

SB198, Persons under 18 in Confinement Facilities — This bill prohibits the confinement of persons under 18 in facilities with adults unless there is a sight and sound barrier. The bill was revised in committee to only apply to renovations and new facilities. The bill passed the Senate Judiciary II Committee and will be heard next in the Appropriations Committee.

HB879, Juvenile Code Reform — This bill includes a variety of code revisions with the purpose of improving due process, confinement, and reentry of juveniles. The bill is on NC Child’s legislative agenda. This bill passed the House on Wednesday.

HB539, School Playgrounds Available to Public — This bill would allow local boards of education to make outdoor playgrounds available to the public. The bill passed the House on Wednesday. The Senate has already passed a version of this bill.

S286, Regulate the Sale of E-Liquid Containers — This bill requires that all liquid products that are intended to be vaportized have child proof packaging. The bill is meant to combat a spate of poisonings from children ingesting E-cigarette refills. The bill passed the Senate on Wednesday.

SB298, School Bus Cameras/Civil Penalities (HB536) — This bill would allow local governments to use video evidence to assess civil fines for passing a school bus. It passed the full Senate on Thursday.

HB380, School Safety Management — This bill authorizes the Department of Public Safety to implement a statewide school risk and response management system and provides grants to local school districts for additional school counselors, psychologists, and social workers. The bill passed the full House this week.

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. It has been referred to the House Health Committee and is scheduled to be heard in committee next Monday, 4/27.

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.This bill passed Senate Insurance Committee this week and is scheduled for a vote in the full Senate next week.

SB343, Student Assault on Teacher/Felony Offense — This bill would make it a felony offense for any student 16 or older without an IEP to assault a school employee. This means that a student could be charged with a felony without making any physical contact with a school employee. This bill will be heard in the Judiciary II Committee next Tuesday.

HB847, Amend Laws Re: Medical Treatment for Minors — This bill would require minors to get parental consent for all medical treatment, including mental health, substance abuse, and STIs. However, we are hopeful that these sections will be removed from the bill prior to its hearing in the House Health Committee next week.

Other Bills

SB81, NC Toxic Free Kids Act

SB272, Eliminate Personal Ed. Plans

HB134, Soliciting Prostitution/Immunity for Minors

HB187 / SB238, Stalking by GPS/Criminal Offense

HB250, Healthy Food Small Retailer/Corner Store Act

SB 297, Prenatal Narcotic Drug Use/Criminal Offense

SB331, Juvenile Code Reform

SB114, Custodial Parent/Party Cooperate w/ Child Suppport

SB526, Job Creation and Tax Relief Act of 2015

SB652, Prohibit Rehoming of an Adopted Minor Child

SB624, Private Schools/Firearms Amendments