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Bill

SB 606

relative to insurance coverage for biomarker testing.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Regina Birdsell and 1 co-sponsor

Expands language access for DMV tests, DOT signage, and K–12: translations, interpreters, and religious observance allowances, funded to implement in 2025–26.

Refer for Interim Study: MA VV 05/14/2026 HJ 13
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Bill Summary · SB 606

SB 606 — Language Access & State Holidays Act (First Edition)

Status: Passed 1st Reading (filed Mar 25, 2025; introduced March 2025)
Primary sponsors: Senators Batch, Chaudhuri, Mohammed

Main purpose

To expand language access to key state services (DMV, transportation signage, and public schools) and to ensure reasonable accommodation for religious observance in K–12 schools. The bill aims to improve access for North Carolinians who speak languages other than English and to recognize religious and cultural needs in education and workforce settings.

Key provisions

Part I — DMV, Driver Education, and DOT signage
- DMV must provide an option for applicants to receive all licensure materials and to take the written driver’s test in the following languages (in addition to English): Arabic, Hindi, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, Telugu, French, Vietnamese, German, Cherokee, Tagalog, Russian, Portuguese, Tamil, Hmong, Khmer, Burmese, Karen, Karenni, Chin, Bunong, Rhede, Kho, Jari, and Minhar.
- Driver education materials/handbook and any related training courses must be made available, upon request, in the same list of languages.
- Department of Transportation (NCDOT) supplement to the Uniform Manual must require that traffic signs (including directional/importance signs) be clear to non‑English speakers through translations or universally recognized symbols, “to the extent permitted by federal law and regulations.”
- Appropriations: $10,000 (nonrecurring) from the Highway Fund to DMV and $10,000 (nonrecurring) to NCDOT for 2025–26 to begin producing materials and implementing signage requirements.
- Effective dates: appropriations effective July 1, 2025; remainder of Part I effective January 1, 2026.

Part II — K–12 school communications and religious observance accommodations
- State Board of Education and local school systems must make “documents for parents” available translated into the same list of languages (defined to include enrollment forms, consent forms, required informational documents, school policies, disciplinary notices, disability-related notices/records, and other notices required under statute).
- Schools are encouraged to offer interpretation services for parent–teacher conferences and other critical meetings.
- Teacher leave: principals/supervisors are encouraged to accommodate requests for personal leave to observe religious holidays; requests made ≥5 days in advance (on non-excluded days) are to be automatically granted subject to substitute availability and without requiring the teacher to state a reason.
- Student excused absences: principals must authorize a minimum of two excused absences per academic year for religious observances required by a student’s (or parent’s) faith; principals are encouraged to allow additional excused religious absences as policies allow.
- Appropriation: $1,000,000 recurring from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction for 2025–26 to allocate to public school units “on an as‑needed basis” to cover related costs (text truncated in source; funds are intended to support implementation such as substitute coverage and translation needs).
- Effective: translation requirement and related school provisions apply beginning with the 2025–2026 school year.

Who is affected

  • Residents who apply for driver’s licenses or driver education (non‑English speakers gain access to tests/materials).
  • Road users and NCDOT (sign design/implementation).
  • Parents and guardians with limited English proficiency (broader access to school information).
  • Public school students and staff (religious observance accommodations; teachers’ personal leave).
  • Local school systems and state education agencies (implementation and translation/interpretation logistics).

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Administrative and implementation burden on DMV, NCDOT, DPI, and local school systems to produce accurate translations, provide interpretation, and modify signage where appropriate.
  • Appropriations in the bill are modest ($20,000 nonrecurring to transportation/DMV; $1M recurring to DPI) but may not fully cover long‑term translation/interpretation needs; ongoing costs could fall to agencies or districts.
  • Many accommodations (interpretation services, additional excused absences beyond the required two, school policy changes) are encouraged rather than strictly mandated, leaving implementation discretion to local entities.
  • Improves access to government services and education for speakers of the listed languages; supports inclusion of cultural and religious practices in schools.

Procedural/timeline notes

  • Filed in late March 2025; passed 1st reading and assigned to committee(s).
  • Appropriation and effective dates specified: some funding effective July 1, 2025; most operational provisions take effect Jan 1, 2026 or apply beginning with the 2025–26 school year.
  • Implementation will require agency rulemaking, operational planning, and local school system coordination.

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

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