Rep. Carney files bill in North Carolina House on school health screening notifications

A new bill filed by State Rep. Becky Carney seeks to clarify notification requirements for health screenings and related services in public schools, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 842 on April 9 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Vis., Hear., Dental Screenings Opt-Out.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill clarifies the requirements for health screenings in schools by establishing new notification procedures for parents. It mandates that public school units adopt procedures to inform parents of health care services offered at the start of each school year, along with obtaining consent for specific services. It specifies that health care services do not include screenings, such as vision, hearing, dental, and developmental screenings for cognition, language, and motor function. Schools may conduct screenings without parental consent but must notify parents at the beginning of the school year about all screenings and provide the results. Parents must also be informed about changes in a child’s services related to health or well-being and any changes in the name or pronoun usage in school records. The act takes effect when it becomes law.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Julia Greenfield proposed the most bills (25) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Carney, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2003 to represent the state’s 102nd House district, replacing previous state representative Ruth Easterling.