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NC H507

NC H507
The Children First Act

summary

Introduced
03/25/2025
In Committee
03/26/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

2025-2026 Session

Bill Summary

AN ACT PRIORITZING THE WELL-BEING OF CHILDREN BY EXPANDING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE, HIGH-QUALITY CHILD CARE FOR NORTH CAROLINA FAMILIES; ESTABLISHING AN EMPLOYER-PROVIDED CHILD CARE CREDIT; IMPLEMENTING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT AND LICENSING REFORM STRATEGIES TO ELIMINATE THE CHILD CARE WORKFORCE SHORTAGE; ENHANCING CHILD HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTECTIONS; ADDRESSING INFANT AND FETAL MORTALITY PREVENTION; ESTABLISHING A CHILD CARE INNOVATION TASK FORCE TO IMPROVE THE CHILD CARE LANDSCAPE IN NORTH CAROLINA; AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THESE PURPOSES. Whereas, children in North Carolina are facing unprecedented threats to their safety, privacy, education, and overall well-being, requiring a bold policy response to protect them from economic insecurity, digital exploitation, harmful substances, and violence; and Whereas, the cost of raising children has skyrocketed, with child care, housing, healthcare, and education expenses outpacing wages, forcing many families to make impossible financial choices and pushing parents—especially mothers—out of the workforce; and Whereas, predatory social media platforms and digital corporations are deliberately targeting children with addictive algorithms, manipulative content, and intrusive data collection, exposing them to mental health crises, identity theft, and exploitation without parental consent or oversight; and Whereas, children are being tracked, monetized, and manipulated online, leading to increased rates of anxiety, depression, self-harm, and social isolation, creating the urgent need for strict digital privacy protections, algorithm regulations, and a ban on data mining of minors; and Whereas, youth vaping, cannabis exposure, and synthetic drug use have surged, with over one-third of North Carolina high school students reporting vape use, and an increasing number of elementary-aged children being introduced to nicotine, THC derivatives, and other substances especially harmful to children; and Whereas, firearm-related deaths among children have more than doubled since 2013, with over seventy-nine percent (79%) of guns found on school campuses originating from improperly stored firearms, making safe storage laws and firearm safety education a critical public health necessity; and Whereas, youth homelessness is rising at alarming rates, with more than 28,000 students statewide experiencing housing instability, making it nearly impossible for these children to focus on their education, well-being, and future career paths; and Whereas, childhood food insecurity remains a crisis, with more than twenty percent (20%) of North Carolina children living in households that cannot afford sufficient nutrition, leading to lifelong negative health outcomes and academic struggles; and Whereas, violent crime and exploitation targeting children are on the rise, with human traffickers, gangs, and online predators increasingly preying on minors, requiring stronger law enforcement collaboration and parental empowerment to protect our children; and Whereas, every dollar invested in early childhood development, education, and safety yields an estimated seven-dollar ($7.00) return in long-term economic benefits, including higher graduation rates, increased workforce productivity, and lower crime rates, proving that protecting children is not just a moral obligation but an economic necessity; and Whereas, North Carolina has an opportunity to be a national leader in child safety, privacy protections, and family empowerment, ensuring that our State prioritizes parental rights, safeguards children from corporate and government overreach, and builds a future where every child can thrive; Now, therefore,

AI Summary

This bill is a comprehensive legislative effort aimed at improving child welfare and safety in North Carolina through multiple strategies. The bill proposes expanding child care affordability by increasing subsidy eligibility to 85% of State Median Income and providing grants for new child care facilities in rural areas. It establishes an employer-provided child care tax credit and creates a Child Care Facilities Investment Fund to help expand and upgrade existing child care centers. The legislation introduces significant child health and safety protections, including Medicaid coverage for doula services, mental health training for child care workers, revised child passenger safety laws, and stricter regulations on tobacco, cannabis, and social media platforms targeting children. The bill creates a statewide Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Team to systematically analyze and prevent infant deaths, mandates child-resistant packaging for cannabis products, and implements online child safety protections that restrict addictive algorithmic features and data collection for minors. Additionally, the bill establishes a Child Care Innovation Task Force to monitor implementation progress and recommend improvements, and provides workforce development initiatives like a fast-track licensing program and apprenticeship opportunities for child care workers. The legislation is funded through substantial state appropriations and aims to comprehensively address child well-being across multiple domains, from economic support to digital safety to healthcare access.

Committee Categories

Government Affairs

Sponsors (34)

Last Action

Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House (on 03/26/2025)
(1 Companion Bills)

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