North Carolina 2025 Session Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 35 D · 1 I cosponsors

HB 1044 — Justice in Mental Health Act.

Last action — Passed 1st Reading

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced April 23, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the House.

Odds of enactment

Low chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Advancing 42% · moderate confidence

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 36 sponsors

    3 primary, 33 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (35 D · 1 I) — cross-party backing.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

183 added · 182 removed

Plain-language change summary

The amended version of Bill HB 1044 adds the General Assembly of North Carolina as a header, updates the date, and incorporates additional sponsors to the bill. It also slightly adjusts language for clarity and organization, particularly in the authorship and a few phrases throughout the bill. These changes help ensure that the bill accurately reflects its legislative context and makes it easier to understand who is involved in its development. Overall, maintaining clarity and proper attribution is crucial for transparency in the legislative process.

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GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA H.B.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2025 H 1 HOUSE BILL 1044 Short Title:
1044 Apr 23, 2026 SESSION 2025 HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK H D HOUSE BILL DRH10594-MLa-179 Short Title:
Representative Price.
Representatives Price, Belk, Prather, and Morey (Primary Sponsors).
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO BUILD ADDITIONAL CAPACITY IN STATE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS, TO ESTABLISH REHABILITATIVE DISPOSITION AND COMMUNITY SAFETY PROGRAMS, TO INCREASE THE LIMIT ON SAFEKEEPER BEDS AND APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO USE FOR COSTS RELATED TO THE ADDITIONAL SAFEKEEPER BEDS, AND TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR GUIDANCE FOR JUDGES ON IDENTIFYING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RISKS AMONG COURT-INVOLVED INDIVIDUALS.
Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House April 27, 2026 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO BUILD ADDITIONAL CAPACITY IN STATE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITALS, TO ESTABLISH REHABILITATIVE DISPOSITION AND COMMUNITY SAFETY PROGRAMS, TO INCREASE THE LIMIT ON SAFEKEEPER BEDS AND APPROPRIATE FUNDS TO USE FOR COSTS RELATED TO THE ADDITIONAL SAFEKEEPER BEDS, AND TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR GUIDANCE FOR JUDGES ON IDENTIFYING BEHAVIORAL HEALTH RISKS AMONG COURT-INVOLVED INDIVIDUALS.
(1) Evidence-informed indicators of escalating behavioral health crises.
*H1044-v-1* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (1) Evidence-informed indicators of escalating behavioral health crises.
*DRH10594-MLa-179* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (2) Risk patterns associated with untreated serious mental illness, substance use disorders, or co-occurring conditions.
(2) Risk patterns associated with untreated serious mental illness, substance use disorders, or co-occurring conditions.
SECTION 1.(c) By no later than January 1, 2027, the AOC and DMH/DD/SUS shall jointly develop a statewide framework to strengthen rehabilitative disposition pathways between district courts, superior courts, and community-based behavioral health providers.
SECTION 1.(c) Byno later than January1, 2027, the AOC and DMH/DD/SUS shall jointly develop a statewide framework to strengthen rehabilitative disposition pathways between district courts, superior courts, and community-based behavioral health providers.
In determining whether there is a reasonable probability that conduct creating a substantial risk of serious bodily harm will be repeated, the court may also consider evidence of a pattern of behavior established by competent evidence demonstrating recurring loss of volitional control, including repeated expressions or manifestations that the individual believes they are not in control of their actions, when such behavior, viewed in context, reasonably indicates escalating instability that materially increases the risk of serious bodily harm to another.
In determining whether there is a reasonable probability that conduct creating a substantial risk of serious bodily harm will be repeated, the court may also consider evidence of a pattern of behavior established by competent evidence demonstrating recurringloss of volitional control, including repeated expressions or manifestations that the individual believes they are not in control of their actions, when such behavior, viewed in context, reasonably indicates escalating instability that materially increases the risk of serious bodily harm to another.
Nothing in this sub-subdivision shall be construed to lower the burden of proof required under this Chapter, to authorize a finding of dangerousness based solely on verbal statements absent corroborating evidence, or to diminish any procedural protections otherwise required by law." Page 2 DRH10594-MLa-179 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 1.(e) There is appropriated from the General Fund to the AOC, the sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
Nothing in this sub-subdivision shall be construed to lower the burden of proof required under this Chapter, to authorize a finding of dangerousness based solely on verbal statements absent Page 2 House Bill 1044-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 corroborating evidence, or to diminish any procedural protections otherwise required by law." SECTION 1.(e) There is appropriated from the General Fund to the AOC, the sum of five million dollars ($5,000,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2026-2027 fiscal year.
Additionally, no later than December 1, 2027, the AOC, in cooperation with DMH/DD/SUS, shall provide a report to the Joint Legislative OversightCommitteeonJusticeandPublicSafety andtheJointLegislativeOversightCommittee on Health and Human Services on the status of the framework developed under subsection (c) of this section, including all of the following:
Additionally, no later than December 1, 2027, the AOC, in cooperation with DMH/DD/SUS, shall provide a report to the Joint Legislative OversightCommitteeonJusticeandPublicSafetyandtheJoint LegislativeOversightCommittee on Health and Human Services on the status of the framework developed under subsection (c) of this section, including all of the following:
(3) Judicially Managed Accountable Recovery Courts (JMARCs) and other court-associated clinical services and continuity supports that facilitate timely evaluation and appropriate treatment engagement, including clinical DRH10594-MLa-179 Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 evaluation capacity, referral coordination, case management supports, and service navigation supports implemented in collaboration with the courts.
House Bill 1044-First Edition Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (3) Judicially Managed Accountable Recovery Courts (JMARCs) and other court-associated clinical services and continuitysupports that facilitate timely evaluation and appropriate treatment engagement, including clinical evaluation capacity, referral coordination, case management supports, and service navigation supports implemented in collaboration with the courts.
7 STATE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL BEDS AND STAFFING SECTION 3.(a) There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services (DMH/DD/SUS), the sum of three hundred twenty million four hundred thousand dollars ($320,400,000) in recurring funds beginning with the 2026-2027 fiscal year to be used for hiring or contracting staff to facilitate the operation of State psychiatric hospitals.
STATE PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL BEDS AND STAFFING SECTION 3.(a) There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services (DMH/DD/SUS), the sum of three hundred twenty million four hundred thousand dollars ($320,400,000) in recurring funds beginning with the 2026-2027 fiscal year to be used for hiring or contracting staff to facilitate the operation of State psychiatric hospitals.
SECTION 3.(d) Funds appropriated in subsections (a) and (c) of this section may be used for initiatives that improve workforce stability and retention, including preceptor programs, structured onboarding, staff training, supervisory development, employee assistance supports, and workplace safety improvements, provided that funds shall not be used for bonuses except as part of a retention plan approved by the Department of Health and Human Services.
SECTION 3.(d) Funds appropriated in subsections (a) and (c) of this section maybe used for initiatives that improve workforce stability and retention, including preceptor programs, structured onboarding, staff training, supervisory development, employee assistance supports, and workplace safety improvements, provided that funds shall not be used for bonuses except as part of a retention plan approved by the Department of Health and Human Services.
"(e) The number of county prisoners incarcerated in the State prison system pursuant to safekeeping orders from the various counties pursuant to subsection (b) of this section or for medical or mental health treatment pursuant to subsection (d) of this section may not exceed 200 500 at any given time unless authorized by the Secretary of Adult Correction.
"(e) The number of county prisoners incarcerated in the State prison system pursuant to safekeeping orders from the various counties pursuant to subsection (b) of this section or for medical or mental health treatment pursuant to subsection (d) of this section may not exceed 200 500 at any given time unless authorized bythe Secretary of Adult Correction.
The Secretary may refuse to accept any safekeeper and may return any safekeeper transferred under a safekeeping order when this capacity limit is reached.
The Secretarymay refuse to accept any safekeeper and may return any safekeeper transferred under a safekeeping order when this capacity limit is reached.
The Secretary shall not refuse to accept a safekeeper because a county has failed to pay the Department of Adult Correction for services rendered pursuant to this section." SECTION 4.(b) There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Adult Correction (DAC) the sum of ninety million dollars ($90,000,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to be used for any nonrecurring costs incurred from implementing the increase of county prisoners incarcerated in the State prison authorized under G.S.
The Secretary shall not refuse to accept a safekeeper because a county has failed to pay the Department of Adult Correction for services rendered pursuant to this section." SECTION 4.(b) There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Adult Correction (DAC) the sum of ninety million dollars ($90,000,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to be used for any nonrecurring costs incurred from implementing the increase of countyprisoners incarcerated in the State prison authorized under G.S.
Beginning in the 2026-2027 fiscal year, there is appropriated from the General Fund to the DAC the sum of sixteen million dollars ($16,000,000) in recurring funds to be used for any operational costs or other recurring costs incurred from Page 4 DRH10594-MLa-179 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 implementing the increase of county prisoners incarcerated in the State prison authorized under G.S.
Beginning in the 2026-2027 fiscal year, there is Page 4 House Bill 1044-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 appropriated from the General Fund to the DAC the sum of sixteen million dollars ($16,000,000) in recurring funds to be used for any operational costs or other recurring costs incurred from implementing the increase of county prisoners incarcerated in the State prison authorized under G.S.
4 REPORTS SECTION 5.
6 REPORTS SECTION 5.
DRH10594-MLa-179 Page 5
House Bill 1044-First Edition Page 5
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Action History

  1. Passed 1st Reading

  2. Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

  3. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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3 sponsors · 33 co-sponsors · 143 not signed on

Sponsors (3)

Co-sponsors (33)

Not signed on (143)

143 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 143 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety healthcare
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 1044?
HB 1044 is sponsored by Brian Turner (Democratic), Phil Rubin (Democratic), James Roberson (Democratic), Robert T. Reives, II (Democratic), Rodney D. Pierce (Democratic), Nasif Majeed (U), Jordan Lopez (Democratic), Tim Longest (Democratic), Carolyn G. Logan (Democratic), Brandon Lofton (Democratic), Ya Liu (Democratic), Monika Johnson-Hostler (Democratic), Julia Greenfield (Democratic), Allison A. Dahle (Democratic), Sarah Crawford (Democratic), Amanda P. Cook (Democratic), Mike Colvin (Democratic), Bryan Cohn (Democratic), Tracy Clark (Democratic), Maria Cervania (Democratic), Becky Carney (Democratic), Deb Butler (Democratic), Allen Buansi (Democratic), Terry M. Brown Jr. (Democratic), Kanika Brown (Democratic), Gloristine Brown (Democratic), Cynthia Ball (Democratic), Vernetta Alston (Democratic), Eric Ager (Democratic), Marcia Morey (Democratic), Lindsey Prather (Democratic), Mary Belk (Democratic), Renée A. Price (Democratic), Beth Helfrich (Democratic), Charles Smith (Democratic), and Julie von Haefen (Democratic).
What is the current status of HB 1044?
This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced April 23, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
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