Since our session ended, the governor has signed several pieces of legislation into law.
These laws will help protect the vulnerable among us, make our education system stronger and improve our health system. These are good laws meant to help in difficult times.
Thank you as always for your interest in state government. If you have any questions about this information or anything else that I can help with, please contact me. I am always glad to be of service.
Crime/Safety
The North Carolina Supreme Court would be directed to establish minimum standards of domestic violence education and training for district court judges under a new state law (HB 1762 – S.L. 2010-106). The legislation also encourages the University of North Carolina School of Government to provide domestic violence education and training for judges and magistrates. The legislation is based on the recommendations of the Joint Legislative Committee on Domestic Violence.
The penalty for the killing of an animal is increased from a Class A1 Misdemeanor to a Class H Felony under a new state law (SB 254 – S.L. 2010-16). The law also increases the penalty for the malicious abuse or torture of an animal from a Class I Felony to a Class H Felony. Susie’s Law, as the legislation is commonly known, is named after a dog found burned and left to die in a Greensboro park last summer.
Legislation that would provide a Survivor’s Alternate Benefit for survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty has been signed into law (HB 766 – S.L. 2010-11). Under the law, the principal beneficiary of an officer who has completed 15 years of service will be entitled to the survivor’s benefit should that officer be killed in the line of duty.
The Division of Aging and Adult Services will study whether to require criminal record checks for current and prospective owners, operators, and volunteers of adult day care programs and adult day health services programs. The legislation (HB 1703 – S.L. 2010-93) is based on the recommendations of the North Carolina Study Commission on Aging and was considered this week by the House Committee on Aging this week.
Health
The Child Care Commission, in consultation with the Division of Child Development of the Department of Health and Human Services, would be required to develop improved nutrition standards for child care facilities under a new state law (HB 1726 – S.L. 2010-117). The legislation also directs the Division of Childcare Development to study and recommend guidelines for increased physical activity in child care facilities. The legislation is based on the recommendations of the Legislative Task Force on Childhood Obesity.
Legislation that will allow already enrolled dependent children under the age of 26 who are not eligible for employer-based health care to remain on the North Carolina State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees for plan year 2010-2011 has been signed into law (HB 1707 – S.L. 2010-3). The legislation also directs the State Health Plan to consult with the Committee on Hospital and Medical Benefits before implanting a tobacco use testing program.
Miscellaneous
School districts will have more flexibility to improve failing schools under a new state law. The law (SB 704 – S.L. 2010-1) gives school systems additional authority to reorganize failing schools, including the ability to operate them like charter schools. Charter schools are public schools that are exempt from some of the rules that apply to traditional schools. The legislation is expected to help strengthen the state’s application for federal education money.
A new state law will provide for an alternative credit for qualifying expenses of a production company (HB 713 – S.L. 2010-89).
The sunset on certain economic incentives has been extended under a new state law (HB 1973 – S.L. 2010-147). These economic incentives include a credit for constructing renewable fuel facilities, a credit for small business employee health benefits, and a credit for biodiesel producers, among others. The legislation will also provide an enhanced incentive for jobs in high unemployment counties.
Notes
The North Carolina Military Business Center (NCMBC) and the North Carolina Military Foundation announced that Department of Defense spending in North Carolina grew by 10 percent and exceeded $4.0 billion in federal fiscal year 2009 — an increase of $363.8 million over procurement in the state in 2008.
Meetings/Events
I plan to attend the following meetings/events:
Please invite me to attend your county, city, community or civic, etc. meetings or events.
As I’ve said many times before, I hope you will continue to let me know how you feel about the issues that are being debated by the North Carolina Legislature and the challenges you and your family are facing each day.
By working together, we can make Northampton, Vance and Warren Counties and all regions of North Carolina a better place to live, work and raise a family.
Please remember that you can use the General Assembly’s website to look up bills, view lawmaker biographies and access other information. The site also contains detailed information about the state budget and legislative schedules.