North CarolinaHB 5762025-2026 SessionHouseWALLET

AN ACT MAKING TECHNICAL, CONFORMING, AND OTHER MODIFICATIONS TO LAWS PERTAINING TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES.

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

ADOPTIONOBSOLETE LAWSAOCATTORNEYSCANCERCHARITABLE DONATIONSCHILD CUSTODYCOMMISSIONSCORPORATIONS, NONPROFITCORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONSCOUNTIESCOURTSCRIMINAL RECORDSDEATH & DYINGDHHSDISEASES & HEALTH DISORDERSDRUG & ALCOHOL TESTINGEDUCATIONEMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICESEMERGENCY SERVICESEVIDENCEFOSTER CAREGENERAL STATUTESGUARDIANSHIPHEALTH DEPTS

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

18 provisions identified: 13 benefits, 3 costs, 2 mixed.

Stricter rules and fines for assisted living

The state and counties can inspect places they believe operate assisted living without a license or required registration. Starting December 1, 2025, running an unlicensed assisted living home or an unregistered multiunit assisted housing program is a Class H felony with a $1,000 per‑day fine. Each day after conviction is a separate offense. Registered multiunit programs must pay a $350 annual, nonrefundable fee. VA‑supervised medical foster homes are exempt only if caring for three or fewer residents.

Marketplace can check Medicaid through 2028

DHHS can use the federal health insurance Marketplace to decide Medicaid eligibility through June 30, 2028. Decisions must follow North Carolina’s eligibility categories, resource limits, and income thresholds. This changes where you can apply and how your case is processed; it does not change who qualifies or benefits.

Hospitals must report yearly violence data

Each hospital must report by February 28 the prior federal fiscal year’s numbers for assaults, behavior‑related violence, and workplace incidents reported to accrediting bodies or OSHA. The Department compiles the reports and shares findings. It reports findings and recommendations to lawmakers each year by May 1.

Medicaid settlement payback can go to plans

If Medicaid paid for your care and you get a settlement or judgment, the Department can name a prepaid plan to receive the Medicaid share. You must tell the Department and any named plan within 30 days after you receive money. If you ask a court to decide the amount, you must also serve that plan. If you do not contest, payment is due within 30 days.

Tighter risk-based screening for Medicaid providers

DHHS screens Medicaid providers by risk level: limited, moderate, or high. If a provider fits more than one level, the highest applies. The Department may rely on Medicare or other states’ screening for some providers. Skilled nursing facilities follow the federal level. Part of the change applies from January 1, 2023, and the rest from January 1, 2024.

Foster/adoptive applicants can see records

Starting June 27, 2025, if you apply to adopt or foster and must get a criminal history check, DHHS can give you a copy of your record. You can review it and challenge errors. Agencies must have a trained employee to receive criminal history information, and you must be told how to appeal decisions.

Clear breast density notices and cancer oversight

Beginning June 27, 2025, mammogram providers must give you a plain‑language report that includes your breast density. If your breasts are heterogeneously or extremely dense, the report must say density can hide cancers, raise risk, and that added imaging may help. DHHS must also consult a re‑formed cancer advisory committee before adopting cancer control rules and reports.

Medicaid managed care delay after release

If your Medicaid was suspended while incarcerated, the law delays automatic enrollment in managed care. The delay lasts until the first day of the month after the 12th month after your release. It applies to people released on or after the law’s effective date and to some people released on or after January 1, 2025.

State-paid school nurses focus on health

For nurses paid with State funds, DHHS makes sure they do nursing and public‑health work. These nurses cannot be assigned classroom teaching or school administrative duties. This protects time for student health services.

Trained helpers can give epinephrine

If you finish the approved training, the State EMS office can approve you to give epinephrine. This applies when a doctor or other authorized practitioner is not available. The training may be part of EMS training. The change does not create new penalties for patients.

Keep tax refund gifts for cancer screening

Starting June 27, 2025, you can keep donating all or part of your North Carolina income tax refund to the state cancer prevention program. This option lasts for tax years that begin before January 1, 2030. Your choice is final when you file. Money supports early breast and cervical cancer detection.

Faster emergency help for disabled adults

Starting November 1, 2025, when the clerk’s office is closed, a magistrate must accept filings for emergency services for a disabled adult and record the date. The chief district judge may authorize magistrates to hear some ex parte requests when no judge is available. Magistrates must deliver signed orders to the clerk when the office reopens. Telephonic authorizations are allowed with proper notes.

Faster, standard rules for birth and death records

Local registrars must follow the state method for signing, dating, and sending birth and death records. They must send each certificate to the register of deeds within seven days, and send originals to the State Registrar on the fifth day of each month. They may keep a copy for up to two years.

Stronger local child fatality review teams

Effective July 1, 2025, local child fatality review teams must include senior management designees from social services and public health. The chair may invite more than five ad hoc participants. These changes strengthen reviews of child deaths.

DHHS now approves alcohol test devices

DHHS now approves alcohol screening devices and sets the rules for their use. Tests are valid only if done by a DHHS‑licensed person and by a method approved by DHHS. This clarifies who sets standards for alcohol testing.

New capacity restoration pilots and study

The state can contract for three or more community capacity‑restoration programs and up to three detention‑center programs. Regional detention programs must link to the nearest state psychiatric hospital, and counties must agree with the hosting sheriff. DHHS and the courts must study a permanent, non‑involuntary‑commitment restoration process and report by January 1, 2026.

NC Vision Award program repealed

The law repeals the NC New Organizational Vision Award Program. Organizations can no longer receive this award under state law.

No conditional hiring in child care

Beginning June 27, 2025, child care institutions cannot hire an applicant on a conditional basis before the criminal history check is complete. This adds a safety check for children but can slow hiring and start dates.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 308 • No: 0

House vote • 6/26/2025

HB 576: Department of Health and Human Services Revisions.

Yes: 108 • No: 0 • Other: 10

Senate vote • 6/25/2025

HB 576: Dept. of Health and Human Services Revisions.-AB

Yes: 46 • No: 0 • Other: 4

Senate vote • 6/17/2025