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Bill

SB 820

Safe Schools and Educational Access Act.

2025-2026 Session Introduced by Natalie Murdock and 2 co-sponsors

Protects education access regardless of immigration status and bans on-campus immigration enforcement, while adding substantial funding to support LEP students.

Passed 1st Reading
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Bill Summary · SB 820

Summary of SB 820 (2025 Session) — Safe Schools and Educational Access Act (North Carolina)

Overview

  • Purpose: To protect access to education for all students regardless of national origin or immigration status, establish educational institutions as protected locations in relation to immigration enforcement, and increase funding for students with limited English proficiency (LEP).
  • Context: Builds on Plyler v. Doe (1982) principles and North Carolina’s obligation to provide a sound basic education, addressing concerns about immigration enforcement near schools and multilingual learners.

Key Provisions

1) Protections for Immigration Status in Public Education (Sections 1, 2, 3)

  • Adds new protections to multiple education systems to prevent discrimination or barriers based on immigration status or national origin.
  • Public school units (K-12) protections:
    • No denial of admission, enrollment, or participation in educational programs based on immigration status or national origin.
    • No requirement to document immigration status for admission/enrollment.
    • Immigration authorities (ICE/CBP) cannot conduct enforcement actions on school grounds unless required by judicial warrant, court order, or statute.
    • Personal student information cannot be disclosed to immigration authorities without a judicial warrant, court order, or applicable law.
    • Schools may adopt protocols for responding to requests from immigration authorities while remaining compliant with state and federal laws.
  • Community colleges (Section 2) and public institutions of higher education (Section 3) are bound by the same protections:
    • No discrimination in admission/enrollment or participation based on immigration status or national origin.
    • No documentation of immigration status as a condition of admission/enrollment.
    • Prohibition on on-campus immigration enforcement actions unless legally mandated.
    • Prohibition on disclosing personally identifiable student information to immigration authorities without proper legal requirement.
    • Institutions may establish compliant response protocols to immigration authority requests.

2) Supplemental Funding for LEP Students (Section 4)

  • Creates a new funding mechanism: Limited English Proficient (LEP) Allotment under the Supplemental School Funding framework (Article 32F, Chapter 115C).
  • Allocation:
    • Funds to local school administrative units (LEAs), charter schools, regional schools, and laboratory schools to support LEP students.
    • Allocation formula based on the average number of LEP students in the unit over the past three years.
  • Use of Funds:
    • Classroom teachers, teacher assistants, tutors, textbooks, instructional materials and equipment, transportation, family engagement and translation services, bilingual services, and professional development for LEP students.
  • Local funding requirement: Funds must supplement, not supplant, local current expense funds.

3) Budget and Effective Dates (Section 4)

  • Recurring appropriation: $181,000,000 from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction starting in the 2026-2027 fiscal year to support LEP services and instructional supports.
  • Effective dates:
    • The LEP funding provisions become effective July 1, 2026.
    • The remainder of the Act takes effect upon enactment.

4) Repeal

  • Repeals Section 7.15 of S.L. 2003-284 as part of the bill’s amendments.

Affected Entities

  • Public K-12 school districts and units
  • Community colleges (public two-year institutions)
  • Public institutions of higher education (including UNC system campuses and constituent institutions)
  • LEP students and their families
  • School personnel involved in admissions, enrollment, and student data handling
  • LEAs and various school structures (charter schools, regional schools, laboratory schools)

Practical Implications

  • Educational Access and Safety: The bill aims to reduce fear and barriers for undocumented students and those with immigrant backgrounds, ensuring equal access to education and limiting immigration enforcement on school grounds.
  • Data Protections: Strengthens privacy around student information to prevent use by immigration authorities without proper legal process.
  • Enhanced LEP Support: Substantial new funding to improve instruction, materials, and services for students with limited English proficiency, including professional development for staff.
  • Fiscal Impact: A significant recurring appropriation ($181 million starting 2026–27) to support LEP services, subject to budgetary processes.

Timeline at a Glance

  • Effective July 1, 2026: LEP funding provisions take effect ( Sect. 4(b)-(c) )
  • July 1, 2026 onward: LEP funding appropriated and distributed
  • Upon enactment: Provisions protecting admissions, enrollment, and on-campus conduct related to immigration status apply to K-12 and higher education institutions

If you’d like, I can provide a quick comparison with current NC law or draft a one-page briefing for policymakers or the public.

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

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