North Carolina legislation · 2025-2026 Session
North Carolina S960: Modernized Children with Disabilities Funding.
Status: Introduced, May 4, 2026
What the bill says
An act to raise the cap on the maximum percentage of students for which a public school unit can receive funds, to provide additional support for high-cost disabilities, and to appropriate funds for those purposes.
From the introduced text:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO RAISE THE CAP ON THE MAXIMUM PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS FOR WHICH A PUBLIC SCHOOL UNIT CAN RECEIVE FUNDS, TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT FOR HIGH-COST DISABILITIES, AND TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR THOSE PURPOSES. Whereas, North Carolina public schools are required under federal law through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to provide appropriate educational services to all eligible students with disabilities; and Whereas, the current State funding formula for Exceptional Children services caps funding at 13% of a school district's Average Daily Membership (ADM); and Whereas, many North Carolina school districts now serve a higher percentage of students with disabilities than the current funding cap reflects; and Whereas, when State funding does not align with the number of students requiring services, school districts must redirect funds from general classroom instruction to meet federally mandated special education obligations; Now, therefore, The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: SECTION 1.(a) G.S. 115C-111.05 reads as rewritten: "§ 115C-111.05. Funding for children with disabilities. To the extent funds are made available for this purpose, the State Board shall allocate funds for children with disabilities to each local school administrative unit on a per child basis. Each local school administrative unit shall receive funds for the lesser of (i) all children who are identified as children with …
Sponsors
- Grafstein, Lisa (D, 13) · primary sponsor
- Chitlik, Sophia (D, 22)
- Garson, Jonah (D, 23)
- Murdock, Natalie S. (D, 20)
- Smith, Kandie D. (D, 5)
- Theodros, Caleb (D, 41)
Latest actions
- : Re-ref Com On Appropriations/Base Budget
- : Withdrawn From Com
- : Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
- : Passed 1st Reading
- : Filed
Subjects: BUDGETING, ELEMENTARY EDUCATION, CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS, EDUCATION, MENTAL HEALTH, DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, STUDENTS, FUNDS & ACCOUNTS
Common questions
- What is S960?
- S960 is a bill in the North Carolina Legislature (2025-2026 Session): Modernized Children with Disabilities Funding.
- What does S960 do?
- In its own words: An act to raise the cap on the maximum percentage of students for which a public school unit can receive funds, to provide additional support for high-cost disabilities, and to appropriate funds for those purposes.
- What is the status of S960?
- Introduced as of May 4, 2026. Latest action: Re-ref Com On Appropriations/Base Budget (May 4, 2026).
- Who sponsored S960?
- Grafstein, Lisa (D, 13), with 5 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for S960?
- On the North Carolina Legislature website: https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S960
Source: official North Carolina record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.