New laws coming into effect in 2026
There are several new laws that are coming into effect beginning in January, ranging from gender and medical transition laws to prescription drug transparency and new healthcare worker laws.
One of the most controversial laws coming into effect is H.B. 805, which includes many key factors regarding gender-identification and medical gender transition. The bill was vetoed by Gov. Josh Stein, but the veto was overrode by the Republican general assembly.
The bill, which is to prevent online sexual exploitation of women and minors, includes several gender-related amendments such as an official recognition by the state of two biological sexes, male and female. It also expands the ban on the use of state funding for gender transition sugeries and allows lawsuits against medical providers who perform gender transition procedures on minors.
H.B 805 also requires local boards of education to adopt policies that for public access to the titles of library books available at each school, allowing parental control of gender affirming or sexual oriented content.
Another law that comes into effect on January 1, is the SCRIPTS Act which aims to provide transparency in prescription drug costs and to protect independent pharmacies. The act requires drug manufacturers to disclose price increases and the price of newly introduced prescription drugs. It also restricts pharmacy benefit managers from steering patients to preferred pharmacies and helps fair pricing among pharmacies.
To address shortages of healthcare workers, state legislators approved H.B. 67. It allows internationally trained doctors and PA’s to apply for medical licenses in North Carolina.
A portion of H.B. 926, which comes into effect on the first of the year, prohibits local governments from implementing stricter road design regulations than those set by the N.C. Department of Transportation.
There are also several laws which came into effect at the beginning of December, including Iryna’s Law. State lawmakers passed the bill earlier this year after Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian woman, was killed on public transit in Charlotte.
The law requires secured bond or monitored house arrest for defendants accused of “violent offenses,” and requires judges to order mental health evaluations in certain cases. The law also changes death penalty procedures to speed up cases.
Beginning Dec. 1., the Public Safety Act of 2025 requires stricter penalties for certain crimes, including a new felony for exposing children under 16 to controlled substances and tougher charges for habitual domestic violence offenders. It also includes stricter penalties for fentanyl possession and larceny of gift cards through online scams.
House Bill 193, which began Dec. 1, allows employees and volunteers to carry concealed handguns on campuses with the permission of the schools.
