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April 19, 2013
Child and Family Day a Great Success!
Greetings!
Child and Family Day at the Legislature
Action for Children paired with other allies to bring hundreds of advocates, service providers, youth, parents and others to the Legislature on Wednesday to call for greater investments in children's services and programs and for fewer youth to be tried as adults in the criminal justice system. The event focused on areas where a stronger commitment to funding could reduce poverty and infant mortality and improve access to child care. MomsRising brought their giant game of Chutes and Ladders and invited legislators and others to play. Thanks to all who helped make the event a great success.
Bill to Prosecute More Youth as Adults Passes Committee, with Changes
HB 217: Criminal Law/Procedure Amendments, among other changes to criminal law, establishes that, upon motion by the prosecutor, juveniles age 13 and older alleged to have committed a felony may be transferred to the superior court for trial, as in the case of adults. The bill also stipulates that if the felony is Class A, the transfer shall happen, and if the felony is Class B1 or B2, and the juvenile was 15 or older at the time of the offense, the transfer shall happen, at the request of the District Attorney. Currently, juveniles are transferred to Superior Court at the discretion of the judges; this bill would move that discretion to the prosecutors. The bill passed the House Judiciary B Subcommittee this week, despite much public backlash and debate in committee over this section. The bill next moves on to the House Appropriations Committee. This bill moves NC backwards -- the state would be prosecuting more youth as adults, rather than fewer. Also this week, H.B. 725: Young Offenders Rehabilitation Act, which would raise the age of juvenile court jurisdiction to include 16- and 17-year-olds accused of misdemeanors, was removed from the House Judiciary B Subcommittee and re-referred to the House Judiciary A Subcommittee. The bill has not yet been scheduled for a hearing.
Private School Voucher Bill Filed
H.B. 944: Opportunity Scholarship Act, a bill to introduce a voucher system into North Carolina's education system, was filed this week. The bill establishes vouchers ("grants") for private school, up to $4,200 per year, per student. Income limits are set so that more than half of North Carolina's children would qualify for the voucher program (52 percent the first year, and 65 percent by the second year). Advocates are concerned that the program will siphon off needed funds from the public schools and created a two-tiered system, where families with more resources leave the public schools and disadvantaged children or those with disabilities who are not accepted into private schools are left in a public school system with declining resources. Representative Stam, one of the bill sponsors, was pleased to note that the bill would save the state money, since the vouchers cost $3,990 per student and the public schools currently receive $6,745 per student. The bill was filed and referred to the House Education Committee.
Relevant Bills Acted on This Week
Key bills affecting children that were acted on this week at the General Assembly are listed below.
Health Regulates sale of tobacco products over the internet to minors. Similar H.B. 864 was referred to the House Judiciary Committee. H.B. 862: Health Insurance Market ReformsWould make changes to the state health insurance reform laws in response to the Affordable Care Act. Referred to the House Rules Committee. H.B. 877: Licensing of Health Insurance NavigatorsOutlines the requirements for being licensed as a Health Insurance Navigators for the federal exchange to be created in NC under the Affordable Care Act. These individuals or organizations would help consumers navigate the new system. Referred to the House Committee on Insurance. H.B. 957: Food Desert ZonesWould provide tax incentives to encourage the availability of healthy foods in food deserts. Filed and referred to the House Commerce and Job Development Committee.
Child Safety
Would require NC to regularly report on its compliance status with federal law on sexual assaults in prisons, jails and youth facilities. Advocates are particularly concerned about the treatment of children and youth in adult jails and prisons. Removed from Judiciary Subcommittee B and referred to Judiciary Subcommittee A.
Regulates child custody and visitation during a parent's deployment. Signed by the Governor. S.B. 124: Shoot Gun from Inside/To Incite FearMakes it a felony to shoot a gun inside a building with the intent of scaring someone. Referred to the House Rules Committee.
Would increase the number of School Resource Officers, guidance counselors, school psychologists and social workers, and appropriates funds. Requires panic alarm systems in schools, regular lock-down drills, and more. Passed the House Education Committee and referred to the House Appropriations Committee.
Would increase penalties for felony child abuse from a max of 15 years to a max of 33 years. Passed the Senate and sent to the Governor.
Would prohibit employers, educational institutions or government units from requesting information from an applicant for employment or admission regarding an arrest, charge or conviction that has been expunged from the applicant's record. Passed the House, but the Senate failed to concur with the House version, so the bills will have to be conferenced.
Lays out 11 core principles for protecting foster care children's rights. Referred to the Senate Judiciary II Committee.
H.B. 848: N.C. Toxic-Free Kids Act
Attempts to eliminate certain chemicals from children's products, including BPA, tris and phthalates. Referred to the House Commerce & Job Development Committee. H.B. 937: Amend Various Firearms LawsOmnibus gun-rights bill that includes many of the provisions filed in previous bills this session, including, among others, carrying guns in bars and on community college and university campuses. Also increases penalties for some gun-related offenses and limits local governments' ability to prohibit persons with concealed carry permits from carrying weapons. Referred to the House Judiciary Subcommittee A. H.B. 971: A Family for Every Child/Foster CareAppropriates funds for an Adoption Promotion Fund for use by public and private adoption agencies to enhance adoption services. Filed and referred to the House Health & Human Services Committee. Response to the pro-gun bills filed this session. Includes many gun safety provisions, including limitations on ammunition magazine sizes and repeal of the 'Stand Your Ground' law. Filed and referred to the House Rules Committee.
Education
SB 374: NC Public Schools Budget Flexibility Act
Allows local school boards to more easily transfer funds to cover needs, and allows for class sizes to be increased at the discretion of the local school board. Passed the Senate Committee on Education/Higher Education and referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee.
H.B. 269: Children w/ Disabilities Scholarship Grants
Would provide grants for up to $6,000 per year to children with disabilities younger than 22 who attend private or home schools and meet certain requirements. Passed the House Education Committee and was referred to the House Finance Committee.
H.B. 935: NC Pre-K Law Changes
Would change the definition of an 'at-risk' child for purposes of the NC Pre-K program, cutting the maximum income level more than in half. Would reduce the number of children eligible for the program by at least a third. Withdrawn from the House Education Committee and referred to the House Health & Human Services Committee.
This bipartisan bill is moderate on teacher tenure by suggesting a probationary/non-probationary system, and it would study teacher pay issues, including merit pay, as a package, before taking action. This bill takes into account student achievement growth, not just test scores. Passed the House. Would start a pilot program, including some charter schools, in New Hanover, Charlotte/Mecklenburg and two other (unnamed) school systems. Similar H.B. 884 was referred to the House Education Committee.
H.B. 904: In-State Tuition/Some NC Immigrant Youth
Would allow immigrant youths to pay in-state tuition at NC community colleges and universities if certain requirements are met. Referred to the House Education Committee.
Would put more control over curriculum and other aspects of education on the local level, rather than the state level. Filed and referred to the House Education Committee.
Economic Security
Would require drug screening for every applicant for public benefits. Would be very expensive for counties and is controversial within the General Assembly. S.B. 594 passed the Senate Health Care Committee and is calendared for a vote on the Senate floor on Monday.
Would require local DSS offices to do a search for outstanding arrest warrants for all applicants applying for public benefits. Advocates are particularly concerned about the repercussions for children. Referred to the Senate Rules Committee.
H.B. 922: Extend Federal Emergency UI
Would extend federal emergency unemployment benefits to laid-off NC workers for one more year, until January 2014. Referred to the House Rules Committee.
Friday Conference Calls
Action for Children and the Covenant with North Carolina's Children hold Friday morning conference calls to update you on the week's happenings at the General Assembly. Updates include bills and budget actions. To join:
- Fridays, 11 a.m.
- Dial 1-800-582-3014 and enter passcode 882011141#
Click here to add this call to your calendar.
Calendar and Events
The tour will feature a giant Chutes & Ladders board highlighting the public investments that are essential to ensuring all of NC's children get the strong start they need to succeed. At each stop, there will be a giant game of Chutes & Ladders in a local park or community center. Children from local early learning programs, parents, business and civic leaders will be invited along with lawmakers to come and play the game for themselves. Along with the game, there will be snacks, crafts, and music.
- April 22 - Durham: Details coming soon!
- April 26 - Wilmington, Smart Start of New Hanover County, 3534 S. College Rd., 10-12
- May 6 - Greenville: Details coming soon!
- May 13 - Charlotte: Details coming soon!
Hands of Protection Second Annual 5K Walk, April 20th, Smithfield.
Walk to prevent child abuse.
Second Chance Lobby Day, April 23rd from 9-5 at the N.C. Legislative Building
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