North Carolina legislation · 2025-2026 Session
North Carolina H595: Parental Rights for Curriculum and Books.
Status: In committee, April 1, 2025
What the bill says
An act to provide changes to the standard course of study in health education, ensure age-appropriate instruction for students, establish a process for selection of library books and health and safety instructional and supplemental materials, require instructional material repositories, and restrict access in public libraries for students to materials harmful to minors.
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO PROVIDE CHANGES TO THE STANDARD COURSE OF STUDY IN HEALTH EDUCATION, ENSURE AGE-APPROPRIATE INSTRUCTION FOR STUDENTS, ESTABLISH A PROCESS FOR SELECTION OF LIBRARY BOOKS AND HEALTH AND SAFETY INSTRUCTIONAL AND SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS, REQUIRE INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL REPOSITORIES, AND RESTRICT ACCESS IN PUBLIC LIBRARIES FOR STUDENTS TO MATERIALS HARMFUL TO MINORS. The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: PART I. STANDARD COURSE OF STUDY CHANGES SECTION 1.1. Article 8 of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read: "§ 115C-81.16. Age-appropriate instruction for students. (a) Instruction on gender identity, sexual activity, or sexuality shall not be included in the curriculum provided in grades kindergarten through sixth grade, regardless of whether the information is provided by school personnel or third parties. For the purposes of this section, curriculum includes the standard course of study and support materials, locally developed curriculum, supplemental instruction, and textbooks and other supplementary materials, but does not include verbal responses to student-initiated questions. Instruction provided in accordance with G.S. 115C-81.29 with parental consent does not violate this section. (b) A student in grades seven through 12 shall not participate in instruction on gender identity, sexual activity, or sexuality without the prior written consent of the student's parent or legal guardian. Each governing board of …
Sponsors
- Torbett, John A. (R, 108) · primary sponsor
- Blackwell, Hugh (R, 86) · primary sponsor
- Arp, Dean (R, 69)
- James Clampitt (R)
- Iler, Frank (R, 17)
- Johnson, Todd (R, 35)
- Kidwell, Keith (R, 79)
- McNeely, Jeffrey C. (R, 84)
- Ward, Bill (R, 5)
Latest actions
- : Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
- : Passed 1st Reading
- : Filed
Subjects: TEXTBOOKS, ELEMENTARY EDUCATION, EDUCATION, HEALTH EDUCATION, FAMILY ISSUES, CURRICULUM, BOARDS, EDUCATION, STATE BOARD OF
Common questions
- What is H595?
- H595 is a bill in the North Carolina Legislature (2025-2026 Session): Parental Rights for Curriculum and Books.
- What does H595 do?
- In its own words: An act to provide changes to the standard course of study in health education, ensure age-appropriate instruction for students, establish a process for selection of library books and health and safety instructional and supplemental materials, require instructional material repositories, and restrict access in public libraries for students to materials harmful to minors.
- What is the status of H595?
- In committee as of April 1, 2025. Latest action: Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House (April 1, 2025).
- Who sponsored H595?
- Torbett, John A. (R, 108), with 8 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for H595?
- On the North Carolina Legislature website: https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H595
Source: official North Carolina record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.