Legislative Agenda

What is the NCSTHL Legislative Agenda?

The NCSTHL’s Legislative Agenda represents the recommendations made to the NC General Assembly (NCGA) every two-year law-making cycle.

From the many issues facing older adults, they represent the topmost goals determined by vote of the NCSTHL members.

Through a process that mirrors that of the NC General Assembly, NCSTHL members establish a new slate of legislative goals every two years.

In the spring and summer of even-numbered years, the NCSTHL members explore the current challenges facing older adults that are the most critical and relevant.
Members study and caucus on the issues, submitting their proposals to the Resolutions Standing Committee.
The proposals are categorized and sent to one of six “Issues Committees,” whose goal is to distill from among the many important issues those that are most worthy of legislative consideration in the upcoming legislative cycle.
The Issues Committees meet to weigh the merits and importance of each proposal, voting on their final slate of proposals to submit to the Resolutions Committee.
The final proposals are then presented to the full body of the NC Senior Tar Heel Legislature for vote at the October General Session of even-numbered years.
By vote ranking, the top proposals become the “legislative agenda” for the upcoming long session of the NC General Assembly.

For details about each Legislative Goal, click on the Fact Sheet below:

Fact Sheet A Adult Protective Services (APS)

Fact Sheet B Senior Centers

Fact Sheet C Home & Community Care Block Grant

Fact Sheet D Older Adult Housing

Fact Sheet E New Community-Based Services Program

Fact Sheet F Long Term Care Ombudsman Pro-gram

Fact Sheet G Healthcare Workforce Crisis

Fact Sheet H Nursing Home Staffing Standards

Current Status of the 2025-26 Legislative Agenda Goals

The following four bills relating to the NCSTHL Legislative Goals were passed into law in the July mini-budget.

Goal A – Adult Protective Services

Senate Bill 400 / Session Law 2025-23 – Adult Protection Multidisciplinary Teams

Status: Enacted June 26, 2025

Summary:

In alignment with the state’s Adult Protective Services legislative priorities, the North Carolina General Assembly established Adult Protection Multidisciplinary Teams.
This legislation strengthens interagency collaboration by formalizing county-based teams composed of social services, law enforcement, healthcare, and legal professionals to coordinate responses to cases involving vulnerable and at-risk adults.
The statute enhances the state’s capacity to protect older and disabled adults through structured, community-based intervention.

Goal D – Older Adult Housing

House Bill 357 / Session Law 2025-58 – Continuing Care Retirement Communities Act

Status: Enacted July 3, 2025; eligible for amendment or funding expansion in 2026.

Summary:

Establishes regulatory framework for CCRCs, including licensing, financial transparency, and consumer protections.
Enhances housing stability and service quality for older adults.

Goal D – Older Adult Housing

House Bill 576 / Session Law 2025-27 – Revisions to Authorize DHHS to Inspect Residences or Facilities Believed to be Operating As Adult Care Homes Without a License and Increase Penalties for Unlawful Adult Care Home Operations

Status: Enacted June 27, 2025

Summary:

Empowers DHHS to restrict and penalize unlawful operation of adult care homes

Goal G – Healthcare Workforce Crisis

House Bill 67 / Session Law 2025-37 – Healthcare Workforce Reforms

Status: Enacted July 1, 2025; implementation support may be addressed in 2026.

Summary:

Streamlines licensing and certification processes.
Expands participation in interstate compacts for healthcare professionals.
Enhances workforce data systems and supports educational pipelines.
Indirectly supports nursing home staffing by improving credentialing and workforce availability.

Status of Other NC General Assembly Bills Related to Aging Issues

The 2025 Long Session was a very challenging session for the NCSTHL.

No bills were submitted for these NCSTHL Legislative Goals.

Legislative Goal B – Senior Centers
Legislative Goal C – Home and Community Care Block Grant
Legislative Goal H – Nursing Home Staffing Standards

Several bills relating to NCSTHL Legislative Goals were submitted but did not pass crossover.

Legislative Goal D – Older Adult Housing
- About 15 bills were submitted to address a variety of housing issues
- These seven bills dealt with property taxes:
- Several bills addressed affordable housing measures for both urban and rural older adults.
- Senate Bill 348 The Home Comfort Act would have established funds for modifications to enable older adults and disabled persons to age in their homes.
Legislative Goal E – New Community Based Services Program
Legislative Goal F – Long Term Care Ombudsman Program

What is crossover?

Crossover is the practice of sending a bill that has passed in one chamber to the other chamber for consideration.

Bills that pass in the NC House of Representatives are sent to the NC Senate for consideration.
Bills that pass in the NC Senate are sent to the NC House of Representatives for consideration.

There is a deadline for this exchange. It is called the crossover date.

Bills that are approved in both the NC House of Representatives and the NC Senate are said to have “passed crossover.”

Where are we now?

As of November 2025, North Carolina has not passed a full state budget, leaving the state to operate on last year’s funding plan, despite passing a “mini-budget” in July to cover essential operating costs.

Key impacts include delayed pay raises for teachers and state employees, the state health plan’s increased premiums, and general uncertainty for local governments and schools. While a budget deal was originally due by July 1, lawmakers remain divided, and a new budget is not expected until at least 2026 since the General Assembly adjourned without a final agreement.

State media outlets report information about the status of the budget.

WRAL NEWS No new NC budget likely until at least 2026, as GOP leaders adjourn with no deal

WUNC NC legislature likely done for 2025 without budget, Medicaid agreements

THE DAILY TAR HEEL More than 100 days after the deadline, North Carolina General Assembly has not passed budget

(These article links are provided for informational purposes only and do not reflect any endorsement by the NCSTHL. )

What can you do?

Although key aging-related bills did not pass crossover, the unfinished status of the state budget may provide opportunities to advocate for legislative action that would not normally be available at this point in the year. This is a unique situation.

We urge you to visit the NC General Assembly website at www.ncleg.gov and use the Search feature to find bills that interest you for further action.

Email and call your state senator and house representative and state your support of the bills whether they passed crossover or not.

You Can Help!

Join us in advocacy by contacting your district senator and house representatives to endorse these bills.

Find your NC General Assembly representatives here.

Email works best these days, but a phone call or note are effective as well.

You don’t have to be a constituent of the senator or house representative to voice your support.

Contact your NCSTHL representative(s) with this Member Directory.

If positions for your county are vacant, contact a representative in an adjacent county.

How Does the NCSTHL Get the Legislative Agenda Enacted?

The members of the NCSTHL advocate with NC’s elected senators and house of representatives to seek sponsorship of the Legislative Agenda goals.

This advocacy happens in a number of ways:

NCSTHL members build relationships with their district’s NCGA members and seek meetings to share findings and goals for improving the quality of life for older adults.
The first objective is to find a senator or house representative who is willing to sponsor one (or more) of the Legislative Agenda goals.
Advocacy directed at the members of key NCGA legislative committees helps to bring attention to the issues, needs, and recommendations of the Legislative Agenda.
If a sponsor can be found, the NCSTHL legislative goal then goes through the standard process of becoming a law.
Click here for the NC General Assembly’s resource for How An Idea Becomes a Law.