In this week's update:
- Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact to be heard in House Health Committee!
- 2025 NC Social Work Advocacy Day- Great Success!
- State of the State - March 12, 2025
- Governor Stein declares March as Women's History Month
- ACTION ALERT: Protect Telemental Health Coverage for Social Workers & Clients!
- NCGA Bills to Watch
- NASW-NC Needs to Hear From You!
- NASW-NC Ethics Conference
Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact to be heard in House Health Committee!
HB 231 - Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact will be heard in the House Health Committee TOMORROW (Tuesday, March 11) at 11AM. NASW-NC staff will be in attendance, and you can stream the meeting here: https://www.ncleg.gov/Committees/CommitteeInfo/House/26
The North Carolina legislation (SB155 and HB231) would allow licensed clinical social workers to apply to provide their services across multiple states. A comprehensive data system would also be created so the public could be kept safe and informed regarding social worker’s current license status and any adverse actions associated with a licensed clinical social worker.
The legislation, sponsored by Senators Corbin, Hise and Burgin in the Senate and Representatives Dr. Reeder, Dr. Campbell, Potts and Blackwell in the House, is a game-changer for our profession and the communities that rely on us.
NASW-NC has worked tirelessly for the last two years to secure the 40 primary and co-sponsors in both the Senate and House of Representatives. NASW-NC is the only organization with registered lobbyists working to advance and promote the social work profession at the North Carolina General Assembly. This work would not be possible without the support of the members of NASW-NC. If you are a social worker and not a member of NASW, we ask that you please join us in this important advocacy work.
Read entire press release here.
2025 NC Social Work Advocacy Day -Great Success!
Over 300 Social work students and others braved rainy weather last week for 2025 NC Social Work Advocacy Day on March 5 at the NC General Assembly! We had students join us as far east as Elizabeth City State University and across the state from Fayetteville State University, Meredith College, NC State University, NC Central University, UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC-Greensboro, and more! Shoutout to Appalachian State University, Johnson C. Smith University, Warren Wilson College and Western Carolina University for bringing almost all the students who registered!
Social workers, students and social work faculty were able to meet in groups with Senators Batch, Meyer, Grafstein, and Waddell; attend individual meetings with their legislators; attend committee meetings; and sit in on the NC House session to hear votes!
Many thanks to all the NASW-NC volunteers who helped make our 2025 NC Social Work Advocacy Day a success! We look forward to doing it again on Wednesday, March 3, 2027!
State of the State - March 12, 2025
On March 12, Gov. Josh Stein will make his State of the State Speech. In North Carolina, the State of the State is given every two years during a joint session of the General Assembly. It is held in the House chamber, as the Senate chamber is too small to fit everyone. There are 50 senators and 120 representatives in the House. Extra chairs are brought in to fit the senators on the floor for the bicameral event. And it’s not just lawmakers and the governor. The Council of State is there, too, as well as the N.C. Supreme Court and the N.C. Court of Appeals.
The speech will be Stein’s pitch to lawmakers for what he hopes will be accomplished during the two-year legislative session that’s already underway. It will set his tone for potential legislative battles ahead.
Republicans have a supermajority in the Senate, so they can override a Stein veto. And Republicans in the House are just one vote short of total control. Stein will give his speech at 7 p.m. on March 12. The Republican response, which is usually pre-recorded, will follow immediately. The chambers take turns, so it is the House’s turn to give the response. House Speaker Destin Hall is in his first term as speaker and expected to give the speech.
The event is also the only time in two years that so many people from all three branches of government are in the same room.
Read more here.
Governor Stein declares March as Women's History Month
Today, Governor Josh Stein declared March as Women’s History Month, celebrating this year’s national theme, “Moving Forward Together! Women Educating and Inspiring Generations.” Many women across North Carolina, from elected officials to teachers, musicians and scientists, are continuing to open pathways for future generations of North Carolinians.
“Women have shaped North Carolina since our beginning,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Women’s history month gives us the opportunity to honor their legacy and to commit to equal treatment under the law. I want to thank the hardworking women in my cabinet and in my administration who have dedicated their lives to the service of North Carolinians.”
“More than 10 percent of women in North Carolina live in poverty, and rates nearly double for women of color,” said North Carolina Department of Administration Secretary Gabriel J. Esparza. “Investing in our future means equipping our future generations with the skills and opportunities to prosper and contribute to our state’s economic prosperity.”
The Stein Administration is committed to supporting meaningful opportunity for every North Carolinian to succeed, including investing in public schools, strengthening economic opportunities, and ensuring our communities are safe.
Click here to read the full proclamation.
ACTION ALERT: Protect Telemental Health Coverage for Social Workers & Clients!
#NASW Action Alert: Medicare telehealth flexibilities will expire on March 31 if Congress does not act. Make your voice heard. Urge your members of Congress to extend the telehealth flexibilities through any legislative package that moves by March 31. #pleaseshare https://www.votervoice.net/NASW/Campaigns/122674/Respond
NCGA Bills to Watch
SB 155 (HB 231): The Social Work Interstate Licensure Compact works to increase access to social workers and this bill would add North Carolina into a compact where social workers from other states who meet requirements within the bill can serve North Carolinians. Click Here for how you can support passage of the Social Work Compact.
HB5: NC Constitutional Carry Act. This bill will allow North Carolinians to carry a concealed handgun without a permit.
HB66: Reduce Early Voting Period. This bill will reduce the early voting period across NC by nearly two weeks (12 days).
HB72 (SB58): AG/Restrict Challenge to Presidential EO's. This bill will prohibit the NC Attorney General from challenging executive orders issued by the President.
HB76: Protect Access to In Vitro Fertilization. An act to protect access to in vitro fertilization in NC.
HB77: Environmental Justice. This bill will require consideration of the cumulative impact of a proposed environmental permitting decision on minority or low-income communities. It will also enhance public participation in environmental permitting decisions in minority or low-income communities.
HB 87: Cell Phone-Free Education: Would prohibit or drastically reduce cell phone usage during instructional time for students in public schools.
HB171: Equality on State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI. This bill will eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives and prohibit public funding for DEI initiatives in state and local government.
HB237: Child Welfare: An Act to Make Various Changes to the Laws Affecting Juveniles and Associated Services.
HB270: Revise Law on the Death Penalty. This bill will revise the current methods of execution for people sentenced to death in North Carolina. It will make electrocution the default method, while convicted persons can request 14 days in advance execution via lethal injection or firing squad.
HB301: Social Media Protections for Minors Under 16 would prohibit children 14 and younger from having a social media profile. It further would allow 15- and 16-year-olds to have social media profiles, but only with parental consent.
HB318:The Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Acts strengthens House Bill 10—enacted during the 2023-24 legislative session—which requires state, county, and local law enforcement agencies to cooperate with ICE before releasing illegal migrants arrested for violent offenses.
SB94: Repeal Death Penalty. This bill will repeal the death penalty and all current prisoners sentenced to death will be resentenced.
SB153: North Carolina Border Protection Act will require cooperation with federal immigration officials and “prohibit UNC constituent institutions from becoming sanctuary universities.”
SB177: Add Psychiatric Hospitals to Medicaid HASP will add psychiatric hospitals to Medicaid coverage.
SB227: Eliminating "DEI" in Public Education. This bill will ban Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (“DEI”) content and programs in public education.
NASW-NC Needs to Hear From YOU!
NASW-NC is seeking feedback from social workers and social work students in North Carolina... please click here to take the survey! It should only take 5-10 minutes to complete, and you can be entered into a drawing to win a free social work t-shirt!
The survey is open to all social workers and social work students in North Carolina, regardless of NASW membership status (current NASW members, former members, and social workers/social work students who have never been a member). All responses are appreciated. This survey helps NASW-NC determine what social workers and social work students in North Carolina need from their professional association, and will impact the work NASW-NC does over the next few years.
Click here to take the survey!
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NASW-NC Ethics Conference
The 2025 Ethics Conference "Innovation and Ethics: The Future of Social Work in a Tech-Driven World" will explore the intersection of technology and social work in the modern era. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, the role of technology in social work is becoming increasingly significant. This conference aims to create meaningful discussions around how innovative technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and digital platforms can enhance the delivery of social work on all levels, while also addressing the ethical challenges they present.
Key topics of focus will include the integration of technology and AI in social work practice, clinical documentation considerations with data privacy and security, and the ethical responsibilities of social workers in navigating the digital divide. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with seasoned practitioners in these areas and learn how social workers can leverage technological advancements and maintain their commitment to ethical principles, client autonomy, and social justice.
Date: Friday, March 21, 2025
Time: 8:15am - 4:00pm EST
Location: Virtual on Zoom
6.5 Hours Ethics CE
Thank you to the members of NASW-NC for supporting the advocacy work we do. We would not be able to advocate for the social work profession or social justice issues in North Carolina without a robust and engaged NASW membership. If you are a social worker and not a member, we ask that you join NASW today. Our voice is louder with your membership.
Learn more about NASW-NC membership here.
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