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Bill

HB 742

Healthy and High-Performing Schools.

2025-2026 Session Introduced by Mary Belk and 10 co-sponsors

The act requires public schools to adopt green cleaning policies and use environmentally sensitive products when economically feasible, with DPI guidelines and a 2025–2026 start.

Passed 1st Reading
0
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Bill Summary · HB 742

Summary — HB 742: Healthy and High‑Performing Schools (North Carolina)

Status: Enacts the "North Carolina Healthy Schools Act of 2025" — adds Article 17A to Chapter 115C. Applies beginning with the 2025–2026 school year. (Bill text establishes effective/implementation timing; DPI initial guidelines due within 180 days after the act takes effect.)

Sponsors: Representative Harrison (primary); additional sponsors listed in the bill history.

Purpose / Intent

The act seeks to reduce exposure of students, staff, and visitors to hazardous chemicals and indoor air pollutants in school facilities by encouraging and (when economically feasible) requiring public schools to adopt “green” cleaning and maintenance products and practices. It also directs the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) to develop technical guidelines and specifications to support implementation.

Key Provisions

  • Adds Article 17A (Healthy Schools) to Chapter 115C, creating new sections:

    • G.S. 115C‑267.1 — Legislative findings acknowledging risks from indoor pollutants and chemical exposures in schools.
    • G.S. 115C‑267.2 — Use of green cleaning supplies:
    • When economically feasible, all public school units shall adopt a green cleaning policy and exclusively purchase/use environmentally sensitive cleaning and maintenance products consistent with DPI guidance.
    • If adoption is not economically feasible (defined as causing an increase in cleaning costs), a public school must notify DPI annually on a provided form until such time adoption becomes feasible.
    • G.S. 115C‑267.3 — Green cleaning guidelines/specifications:
    • DPI, in coordination with the Department of Health and Human Services and a stakeholder panel (industry reps, NGOs, etc.), will establish and annually update guidelines/specs for environmentally sensitive cleaning and maintenance products and implementation practices (including inspection).
    • DPI must post the guidelines online and distribute them to each public school unit and to nonpublic schools with 50+ students. Updates must also be distributed.

  • Applicability expanded by amending other statutes so the Article applies to:

    • Local boards of education (G.S. 115C‑47),
    • Boards of trustees referenced in G.S. 115C‑150.12C,
    • Charter schools (G.S. 115C‑218.75),
    • Regional schools (G.S. 115C‑238.66),
    • Board of Governors (G.S. 116‑11) for public secondary schools under its control.

  • Nonpublic schools with 50+ students are encouraged (but not required) to adopt comparable green cleaning policies when economically feasible.

  • Implementation flexibilities:

    • Schools may deplete existing supplies and transition at the next procurement cycle.
    • DPI must complete initial guidelines after reviewing existing research no later than 180 days after the act’s effective date.

  • Fiscal note in the bill: No State funds are appropriated and none are required to implement Article 17A.

Who Is Affected

  • Directly: all North Carolina public school units (local school districts), charter schools, regional schools, and public secondary schools under the Board of Governors.
  • Indirectly: nonpublic schools with 50+ students (encouraged to adopt), custodial/service staff, students, vendors and suppliers of cleaning and maintenance products, and school procurement offices.

Potential Impacts and Implementation Considerations

  • Health: Expected to reduce exposure to certain hazardous cleaning chemicals and improve indoor environmental quality where implemented.
  • Costs: Requirement is contingent on economic feasibility (no required adoption if it increases cleaning costs). Some districts may incur procurement, training, or product-cost changes; DPI’s guidance and the feasibility provision limit mandatory expenditures. No State funding provided.
  • Operations: Districts will need to review procurement cycles, inventory existing supplies, track costs, and potentially change vendor contracts. DPI guidance may include inspection and implementation practices requiring administrative attention.
  • Timeline: DPI must issue initial guidelines within 180 days of the act taking effect; the new requirements apply starting the 2025–2026 school year (as specified in the bill).

Where to Find the Law Text

The bill text adds Article 17A to Chapter 115C (G.S. 115C‑267.1–.3) and amends statutory cross‑references (G.S. 115C‑47, 115C‑150.12C, 115C‑218.75, 115C‑238.66, and 116‑11). DPI is the implementing agency; the completed guidelines are to be posted on the DPI website.

If you want, I can:
- Produce a brief checklist for local school administrators to begin compliance planning (procurement review, cost analysis, stakeholder engagement), or
- Extract exact statutory language and the deadlines referenced for DPI’s initial actions.

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

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