This week, the dedicated conferees persisted in their negotiations to shape the state budget. The burning question on everyone’s mind is whether the budget will pass before the start of the new fiscal year. According to our latest information, the earliest likelihood of the final budget reaching a voting stage falls within the last week of June. However, we must also acknowledge the probability that the completion of this vital task may extend into the month of July. Let us remain optimistic as we eagerly await the culmination of these negotiations and the subsequent progress it could bring.

Amidst the ongoing budget negotiations, it’s worth noting the education-related legislation that remains in motion within each chamber. One such bill is SB 49: Parents’ Bill of Rights. Stuck in the House Rules committee for more than 4 months, SB 49 was moved to the House Education committee on Wednesday. This is a signal that the House will soon be prepared to publicly share its version of the bill. At this point, we’re not exactly sure when, but it’s just a matter of time. Below, are other educated-related bills with action this week.

Education Bills Approved by Senate Committees

HB 142: Protect Our Students Act.-AB (primary sponsors: Representatives John Torbett, R-Gaston; Kristin Baker, R-Cabarrus; Jake Johnson, R-Polk; Keith Kidwell, R-Beaufort)

• Approved by Senate Education/Higher Education Committee, referred to Senate Pensions and Retirement and Aging Committee
• An agency bill supported by DPI and the State Superintendent
• Increases penalties for all sex offenses by school personnel against a student
• Modifies the definition of a student in cases of sexual crimes against a student by school personnel
• Increases penalties for failing to report misconduct toward children
• Requires public school units to show 6th-12 graders age-appropriate videos produced by the Center for Safer Schools which include information on sex abuse.
• School employees convicted of certain felonies involving a student will forfeit their retirement benefits
• Click here for an official bill summary

HB 605: School Threat Assessment Teams (primary sponsors: Representatives John Torbett, R-Gaston; Hugh Blackwell, R-Burke; Tricia Cotham, R-Mecklenburg)

• Approved by Senate Education/Higher Education Committee
• Requires public school units to have threat assessment teams
• Requires (was encourages) all public-school units to participate in school safety exercises and programs
• Encourages private schools to participate in school safety exercises and programs.
• Requires local boards of education to establish peer-to-peer support programs at all schools with grades 6 and higher
• Requires the governing body (e.g., school board) to develop policies for assessment and intervention, not just the individual threat assessment teams
• Adds a referral to the appropriate law enforcement agency if the individual is not a student.
• Requires the Center for Safer Schools to develop guidance for the threat assessment teams by 12/31/23
• Click here for an official bill summary

HB 618: Charter School Review Board (primary sponsors: Representatives Tricia Cotham, R-Mecklenburg; Tim Moore, R-Cleveland; Destin Hall, R-Caldwell; David Willis, R-Union)

• Approved by Senate Education/Higher Education Committee then by Committee on Rules and Operations of the Senate
• Next stop is Senate floor
• Similar to section 7.39 in the House Budget
• Converts the Charter Schools Advisory Board into the Charter Schools Review Board
• Shifts authority to approve charters from the State Board of Education to a legislatively controlled (8 of 11 appointments) Review Board with a right of appeal by an applicant, charter school or the State Superintendent to the State Board of Education
• Transitions the Superintendent of Public Instruction from a voting member to a nonvoting member
• Click here for an official bill summary

HB 574: Fairness in Women’s Sports Act (primary sponsors: Representatives Jennifer Balkcom, R- Henderson; Karl Gillespie, R-Macon; Erin Pare, R-Wake; Kristen Baker, R-Cabarrus)

• Approved by Senate Education/Higher Education Committee then by Committee on Rules and Operations of the Senate
• Next stop is Senate floor
• Prohibits biological male students from playing on middle school, high school, or collegiate athletics teams designated for biological females, women, or girls
• Creates a civil cause of action for students who are harmed as a result of a violation of the bill or who are retaliated against for reporting violations
• Creates a civil cause of action for public school units that suffer harm as a result of following the requirements of the bill
• Removes restrictions on females from participating on male sports teams
• Removes collegiate intramurals from sports teams subject to the bill
• Click here for an official bill summary

Statewide Bills Signed by the Governor

HB 166: American Indians Graduating With Honors Act (primary sponsors: Representatives Jarrod Lowery, R-Robeson; Karl Gillespie, R-Macon; Brenden Jones, R-Columbus; Mike Clampitt, R-Swain) 

• SL 2023-43
• Passed the House 114-0 and the Senate 43-0
• Allows American Indian students to wear objects of cultural significance at public school graduation ceremonies
• Click here for an official bill summary

Local Bills Passed Into Law
HB 308: Alexander County Board of Education Referendum (primary sponsor: Representative Jeffrey Elmore, R-Wilkes) 

• S.L. 2023-41
• Provides for the partisan election of the Alexander County Board of Education, subject to voter approval in a county-wide referendum held at the time of the general election in 2024
• Click here for an official bill summary

Local Bills That Failed Concurrence Vote

HB 31: Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education Partisan (primary sponsor: Representative  Warren, R-Rowan)

• House voted not to concur, bill goes to Conference Committee to negotiate differences between House and Senate versions
• Language added by the Senate provides for partisan elections for the members of the Rowan-Salisbury Board of Education beginning in 2024

• Allows school board to revise residency districts if an adjustment is required for a change in attendance zones
• Click here for an official bill summary