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HB 663

An Act providing for the licensure of bodywork facilities; imposing powers and duties on the Department of State; and prescribing penalties.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Tim Brennan and 12 co-sponsors

HB 663 protects living organ donors from insurance discrimination, provides up to $5,000 in unreimbursed expenses as a state tax credit, and offers paid leave for donors.

Referred to Professional Licensure
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Bill Summary · HB 663

HB 663 — "Living Donor Protection Act" (North Carolina)

Short summary prepared April 2025

Main purpose

HB 663 is intended to (1) prevent insurance discrimination against living organ donors, (2) offset some out‑of‑pocket costs of live organ donation through a state income tax credit, and (3) provide paid leave to State employees and State‑supported personnel who serve as living organ or bone‑marrow donors.

Key provisions

  • Insurance non‑discrimination (Part I)

    • Adds a prohibition (to G.S. 58‑3‑25) preventing insurers from refusing coverage, canceling, limiting, or charging different premiums or conditions solely because an individual is a living organ donor.
    • Applies to health benefit plans and to life, accident & health, disability, disability income, and long‑term care policies.
    • Effective 30 days after the act becomes law for contracts issued/renewed/amended on or after that date.

  • State income tax credit (Part II)

    • Creates a credit (new G.S. 105‑153.12) for “live organ donation expenses” that are:
    • directly related to the donation (evaluation, procedure, recovery, follow‑up or rehospitalization),
    • incurred by the taxpayer and not reimbursed by any source.
    • Eligible expenses explicitly include lost wages and transportation, lodging, and meals.
    • Credit amount: the lesser of the taxpayer’s eligible unreimbursed expenses or $5,000.
    • Credit limitations:
    • Cannot exceed the taxpayer’s tax liability (after other credits).
    • Unused credit may be carried forward up to five years.
    • Estates and trusts may not claim the credit.
    • If credit is taken, those expenses cannot also be deducted as medical expenses on the State return.
    • Effective for taxable years beginning on or after January 1, 2025.

  • Paid leave for State employees and State‑supported personnel (Part III)

    • Directs the State Human Resources Commission (and governing boards for State‑supported entities) to adopt rules providing:
    • Up to 30 days paid leave for permanent employees serving as living organ donors.
    • Up to 7 days paid leave for bone‑marrow donors.
    • Employees must have at least 12 months continuous State employment prior to requesting leave.
    • Part‑time employees receive a prorated amount.
    • Leave is in addition to (not drawn from) sick/vacation leave, not usable for retirement credit, and has no cash value at separation.
    • Agencies must report on the program (first report due April 1, 2026, then annually).

Who is affected

  • Living organ donors (including bone marrow donors) — protections and financial relief.
  • Individuals seeking insurance — insurers are restricted from donor‑status discrimination.
  • North Carolina taxpayers — potential access to a refundable/limited credit (within tax liability).
  • State employers and State‑supported entities — will administer paid leave and reporting.
  • State budget/treasury — potential revenue loss from credits and payroll cost / administrative impacts.

Fiscal and policy impacts

  • Fiscal effects are not quantified in the bill text. Likely impacts include:
    • State payroll costs (paid leave) and administrative costs to implement and report the program.
    • Reduced State income tax revenue to the extent taxpayers claim the credit (up to $5,000 per donor; actual statewide cost depends on uptake).
  • Policy benefits include reducing financial disincentives and potential insurance barriers to live donation, which may increase donor participation.

Definitions & limits (notable specifics)

  • “Human organ” expressly includes bone marrow, intestine, kidney, liver, lung, pancreas.
  • “Lost wages” excludes certain non‑wage income (e.g., pensions, Social Security, workers’ comp).
  • Credit may be claimed by the donor or by taxpayers who may claim a dependent who donated.

Procedural status (as of April 2025)

  • Introduced in the North Carolina House (Filed Apr 1, 2025); referred to Health (if favorable) and Finance (if favorable) and Rules. Pending committee consideration. (Draft and referral dates appear in version 1 of the bill; check the legislative website for the latest status.)

If you want, I can:
- Pull the current bill status from the NC legislature site and update the procedural timeline; or
- Draft a short one‑page explainer for donors or State HR offices on operational implications.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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