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Bills To Ban "Conversion Therapy," Repeal HB2 Remnants Filed
Gay rights advocates and their supporters at the legislature say expanding discrimination protections and repealing remnants of the North Carolina "bathroom bill" will make clear that LGBT people aren't second-class citizens.
House legislation includes a bill that would ban so-called “conversion therapy” for minors. It would prevent licensed counselors, social workers and psychiatrists from using their professions to attempt to alter a child's sexual orientation.
Another bill would repeal the remnants of the controversial House Bill 2, which among other things directed transgender people to use public bathrooms in accordance with the gender on their birth certificates.
The law led to a backlash that included the loss of some high-profile sporting events. It was partially repealed two years ago. The new bill would end the restrictions that remain.
University Tuition Surcharge Repealed In Senate Bill
Penalties levied on University of North Carolina system students that cost them thousands of additional dollars before getting their degrees would disappear under legislation advancing at the General Assembly.
The state Senate voted on Thursday to eliminate the 50 percent tuition surcharge upon students who exceed set credit-hour limits before completing their four- or five-year program to obtain a bachelor's degree.
A surcharge of some kind has been in place since the 1990s and was designed to encourage students to finish their degrees on time. A news release from Senate Republicans says UNC data show the surcharge disproportionately affects older students and transfer students
State Legislator Appears In Court On Cyberstalking Charge
A North Carolina state lawmaker charged with cyberstalking related to a domestic case has appeared in court for the first time on the allegation.
Second-term Republican Rep. Cody Henson of Transylvania County made his first appearance Thursday.
A state judge granted a protective order against Henson last month after determining text messages his estranged wife received amounted to "mental harassment." The order is effective until January.
Henson announced Tuesday he won't seek re-election so he could spend more time with his children.
Henson represents Transylvania and Polk counties and part of Henderson County. He has another court appearance scheduled May 2.
North Carolina Schools Chief: Change Date For Teacher Rally
North Carolina's elected public schools chief says organizers of a May 1st teacher march and rally should reschedule so students won't miss class because instructors will take off.
Republican Superintendent of Public Instruction Mark Johnson said Thursday that he can't support protests that force schools to close and urged they be held on a non-school day, such as during spring or summer break.
It doesn't sound like NCAE will make changes. President Mark Jewell says the rally is designed to affect pending budget discussion as soon as possible, and that Johnson underestimates the schools' critical needs.
Monsignor Resigns From Catholic Diocese Amid Sex Allegation
A North Carolina Catholic diocese official has stepped down after what the diocese calls a "credible allegation" of sexual misconduct.
The Diocese of Charlotte announced Thursday that Monsignor Mauricio West stepped down effective March 25. A statement from the diocese says the allegation involves multiple instances of unwanted overtures toward an adult student at Belmont Abbey College, where West was vice president of student affairs in the mid-1980s.
West has denied the allegation. He had served as the diocese's vicar general and chancellor.
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