NC LAW UPDATES YOU NEED TO KNOW π¨
π¨ BIG CHANGES START JANUARY 1, 2026
Happy New Year! Starting January 1, 2026 a wave of new North Carolina laws + tax changes take effect.
π North Carolina β NEW LAWS & POLICIES
π° Taxes
β’ NC individual income tax drops to 3.99% (down from 4.25%)
π¨βπ©βπ§ Schools, Parents & Students
β’ State officially recognizes only biological male and female sexes
β’ Parents can restrict library books for their children
β’ Students must use sleeping quarters by sex at birth (ex: field trips)
β’ School boards must adopt internet safety policies (data, social media, hacking)
π³οΈ Elections & Politics
β’ Local candidates must complete mandatory training before running
β’ PACs face stricter registration and reporting requirements
π₯ Healthcare & Workers
β’ Healthcare employers must adopt violence prevention plans, investigate incidents, and report to the state
β’ Expanded protections and notices for domestic/sexual violence & hate crime victims
β’ Clinical Pharmacist Practitioners gain expanded authority under physician agreements
β’ Healthcare workers may waive unpaid meal breaks in writing (12-hour shift = 12 hours pay)
π« Public Safety
β’ Certain private school staff may carry weapons with permits and school approval
π Transportation & Finance
β’ Vehicle owners gain more flexibility over registration renewal timing
β’ New NC Investment Authority takes over management of all state investments, including teacher & public employee retirement funds
π©Ί Access to Care
β’ NC joins a new interstate medical licensure compact, speeding up doctor licensing and improving access to care
βοΈ Estate Law
β’ Estate attorneys can keep electronic originals of wills
β’ Certified copies may be used in probate if originals are lost
βΈ»βΈ»
β οΈ Whether you love these changes or hate them β they WILL affect you.