Jan. 2, 2026, 3:43 p.m. ET
With the beginning of a new year, more than 10 new laws have been enacted in North Carolina.
Several significant laws were passed throughout 2025, including House Bill 307, also called “Iryna’s Law”, named for 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska. Zarutska was fatally stabbed on a Charlotte light-rail train in late August 2025, an incident which received national attention, sparking outrage and discussion around criminal proceedings in the U.S.
HB 307 contained a number of provisions around criminal justice, including changes to death penalty proceedings and procedures for defendants with previous criminal histories. In 2026, new legislation impacts public school education, restricts gender-affirming care for transgender individuals and more.
Here’s what to know about new NC laws that went into effect on Jan. 1.
How many new laws took effect on Jan. 1?
In total, 12 new laws took effect across the Tar Heel State on Jan. 1. The legislation impacts public school education, gender-affirming care, general healthcare, public safety and more.
Apart from the laws covered below, some of the bills involve:
- Reform for healthcare workplaces
- Access to new birth certificates for adopted people similar to those of non-adopted people
- Modifications to educational and experience requirements for public accountant certification
- Crackdowns on surgical smoke caused by tools used in surgery such as saws and lasers
- Increased penalties and guidelines around unfair trade practices involving pharmaceuticals
A full list of 2025-2026 legislation with effective dates of July 1, 2025 through Jan. 1, 2026 is also available.
What is House Bill 805? Gender law changes in NC
Likely the most controversial of the new laws, House Bill 805 — also known as the Prevent Sexual Exploitation of Women and Minors Act — affects transgender people by recognizing only two genders, male and female, in North Carolina, based on biological sex at birth. The bill prevents transgender people from being allowed to change their gender on official state documents. The law also restricts the use of state funds for gender‑affirming care for people in state custody.
Additionally, part of the bill will require adult websites to verify that people appearing in explicit videos are 18 years old and have given consent for the content to be distributed. HB 805 also allows students to be excused from schoolwork that conflicts with their religious beliefs in many circumstances.
As per text from the bill, HB 805 is intended to:
- Officially recognize two sexes in NC
- Limit the use of state funding for gender-affirming care
- Modify law related to birth certificates
- Modify the law related to civil remedies for gender transition procedures on non-minors
- Allow students with religious objections to be excused from certain classroom discussions or activities
- Allow parent access to library books
- Provide for restrictions on school sleeping quarters
What is House Bill 959? Phone ban in NC schools
House Bill 959, which was originally signed into law on July 1, does not completely ban cellphones from public schools, but rather introduces some specific restrictions. The bill requires schools to create rules disallowing students from using, displaying or having phones and other wireless communication devices turned on during instructional time. This may include cellphones, tablets, gaming devices and more.
Teachers may authorize the use of these devices in certain scenarios, and school boards are allowed to set rules for how and when teachers can grant this permission. Schools are also required to define consequences for breaking device policies, such as confiscation of the device or other disciplinary action.
N.C. public schools must adopt these changes to wireless policies by Jan. 1, 2026.
According to text from the bill, House Bill 959 is intended to:
- Promote internet safety
- Require social media literacy instruction in schools
- Require regulation of student use of wireless communication devices during instructional time
- Allow certain nonpublic schools to request residency licenses for teachers
- Allow certain schools to apply for reaccreditation by the criminal justice education and training standards commission
What is Senate Bill 479? Changes to pharmaceutical sales in NC
Senate Bill 479 is intended to support community retail pharmacies, improving transparency in pharmacy services through several provisions. The law requires Pharmacy Benefit Managers to treat independent pharmacies fairly, and create reporting requirements for drug manufacturers about price increases. A public portal for prescription drug pricing information was also established by the bill.
BillTrack50.com provides the following specifics on the changes that will be implemented:
- Requiring Pharmacy Benefit Managers to obtain state licenses
- Mandating disclosure of ownership and contract terms
- Prohibiting discriminatory reimbursement practices
- Establishing pharmacy audit protections
- Creating new transparency requirements for prescription drug pricing
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
