North CarolinaHB 8052025-2026 SessionHouseWALLET

AN ACT TO PREVENT THE SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF WOMEN AND MINORS.

Sponsored By: Jennifer Balkcom (Republican), Brent Jackson (Republican), Sarah Stevens (Republican)

Signed by Governor

COURTSCRIMESCULTURAL RESOURCESEDUCATIONEMERGING TECHNOLOGIESFRAUDLGBTQ & GENDER ISSUESID SYSTEMSINFORMATION TECHNOLOGYINTERNETLIBRARIESMINORSOBSCENITYPHOTOGRAPHYPRESENTEDPUBLICPUBLIC RECORDSRATIFIEDRELIGION & RELIGIOUS INSTITUTIONSSTEMSEX OFFENSESSTUDENTSTELECOMMUNICATIONSTELESERVICESVETOEDVITAL RECORDSWOMENRECORDSCHAPTEREDVETO OVERRIDDENCIVIL ACTIONS

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 3 mixed.

Stronger rules for porn sites and users

Beginning December 1, 2025, sites and apps that post pornographic images must verify every person shown was 18 or older when made. They must have separate written consent for the acts shown and for sharing that exact image, plus a matching photo ID. Users may not upload someone’s pornographic image without that person’s consent. Operators must post a clear takedown process, remove images within 72 hours of a valid request, and block reposts and altered copies. Individuals and law enforcement can demand removal; images must be pulled if verification is missing or consent is in doubt. The Attorney General can fine up to $10,000 per day per image after notice, and up to $5,000 per day for other failures. Victims can sue for $10,000 per day per image or actual damages, plus attorney fees; no liability if the operator reasonably relied on verification and removes the image within 24 hours of notice.

No state funds for minors’ transition care

Starting July 1, 2025, state money cannot pay for surgical gender transition care, puberty blockers, or cross-sex hormones for minors. The same ban applies to prisoners in state custody. State funds can still treat urgent medical complications that cause imminent physical harm from privately paid transition procedures. The State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees is exempt.

New malpractice rules for adult transition care

The law creates a malpractice claim for adults related to transition care services. You have up to 10 years from when you discover the injury and its cause to sue. Any contract term that waives liability is void. This section is in effect and revives some claims that were time-barred. It does not apply to claims under G.S. 90-21.154.

More parent control over schools and libraries

Parents or students can ask to be excused from class content that burdens their religion or invades privacy, and schools must offer an alternate assignment. Starting in the 2025–2026 school year, each school must post a searchable online library catalog and block borrowing of titles a parent flags for their child. Also starting in 2025–2026, students may not share sleeping quarters with someone of the other biological sex on school trips unless all parents give written permission, or the person is an immediate family member.

Agencies must use biological-sex definitions

Beginning January 1, 2026, state and local agencies must use the law’s definitions for biological sex and related terms in new rules and public policies. This applies to terms like male, female, man, woman, father, mother, and gender identity.

Birth certificate changes after sex updates

Starting December 1, 2025, when a sex is changed on a birth certificate, the State Registrar keeps the new and original certificates together as a multi-page record. The Registrar must send a copy to the county register of deeds. All certified copies will show the combined multi-page record.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Jonathan L. Almond
Republican • House
Brian Biggs
Republican • House
John M. Blust
Republican • House
Jimmy Dixon
Republican • House
Brian Echevarria
Republican • House
Blair Eddins
Republican • House
Kelly E. Hastings
Republican • House
Todd Johnson
Republican • Senate
Keith Kidwell
Republican • House
Donnie Loftis
Republican • House
Jr. Ben T. Moss
Republican • House
Ray Pickett
Republican • House
Dennis Riddell
Republican • House
Stephen M. Ross
Republican • House
Paul Scott
Republican • House
Bill Ward
Republican • House
Donna McDowell White
Republican • House
Jeff Zenger
Republican • House