Governor Stein signs bills that address addiction, aid military families, safeguard health care

RALEIGH, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Governor Josh Stein signed nine bills into law Wednesday. He also vetoed three bills.

Governor Stein made the following statement on signing Senate Bill 479:  

No matter where you live in North Carolina, you should be able to access affordable health care and medications. This bill increases accountability and protects community pharmacies from Pharmacy Benefit Managers’ unfair business practices that make prescription drugs more expensive for patients. It will help independent pharmacies promote access to health care, particularly in rural areas. And critically, it will lower the amount consumers pay at the pharmacy counter by making sure discounts are passed on to them.

Governor Stein made the following statement on signing Senate Bill 429:  

This bill makes it easier for certain victims of domestic violence to have their day in court and obtain a restraining order, and it increases penalties for the sale of fentanyl to get this deadly drug off our streets. It also makes clear that, just as with other organizations, religious organizations can be held liable for sexual abuse by their employees. 

I am concerned that this bill increases penalties on people for their addiction when it is already a felony to possess narcotics and that it punishes organizations providing civil legal services to low-income North Carolinians. I urge the General Assembly to responsibly address addiction and to protect funding for Legal Aid and other organizations.

Governor Stein made the following statement on signing Senate Bill 311:  

This bill cracks down on a variety of crimes, including burglary, retail theft, reckless driving, hit-and-run offenses, and protects utilities and communications workers on the job.

Governor Stein made the following statement on signing Senate Bill 118: 

North Carolina is home to approximately 100,000 active-duty service members. Moving to a new deployment can be disruptive for their families, and we must do what we can to smooth that transition. This bill will make it easier for military families to enroll their kids in school and renew their drivers’ licenses remotely. However, I have concerns that certain businesses that claim to help servicemembers secure benefits will instead use this bill as cover to overcharge them. I encourage the General Assembly to find ways to support servicemembers and their families and protect them from those who want to take advantage of them.

Governor Stein also signed the following bills into law:  

• Senate Bill 375
• House Bill 850
• House Bill 694
• House Bill 1003
• House Bill 992