NCCA is sharing this information alert to keep members informed about two North Carolina bills with potential implications for counselors, counselor educators, school-based professionals, and students across the state. As of April 7, 2026, both Senate Bill 227, “Eliminating ‘DEI’ in Public Education,” and Senate Bill 558, “Eliminating ‘DEI’ in Public Higher Ed.,” remain pending in the House after Senate veto-override votes. The official NCGA bill pages list both bills’ most recent action as “Placed On Cal For 04/21/2026.”
For K–12 public education, S.B. 227 applies to public school units under Chapter 115C. Its bill page shows the Governor’s veto, the Senate’s override vote on July 29, 2025, and a continuing pattern of House calendar placements and withdrawals through April 6, 2026, indicating that the bill has not yet fully become law.
For public higher education, S.B. 558 applies to institutions governed under Chapters 115D and 116, which includes the North Carolina Community College System and UNC System institutions. Its official history likewise shows a veto, a Senate override on July 29, 2025, and House action placing it on the calendar for April 21, 2026, meaning it also remains pending rather than operative law at this time.
This means there is currently no new operative legal requirement from either bill for the 2026–2027 school year unless the House completes the override process. At the same time, both measures remain active and deserve careful attention because, if enacted, they could affect educational climate, professional training, student support structures, and how institutions frame inclusion-related work. That statement about implications is an inference based on the bills’ scope and target settings.
For NCCA, this is an important professional issue. Counselors work at the intersection of student development, educational access, belonging, ethics, and wellness. Legislative proposals that affect public education and higher education environments may also shape the conditions under which counselors support students, collaborate with educators, and advocate for safe, developmentally appropriate, and culturally responsive care. This connection to counseling practice is an inference grounded in the bills’ educational scope.
What NCCA members can do now:
- Review the official bill pages and monitor House action.
- Consider how these proposals could affect counseling practice, counselor preparation, student support, and institutional climate in your setting.
- Share concrete, professionally grounded concerns with policymakers, institutional leaders, and partner organizations.
- Document possible implications for student well-being, access, and counselor training.
- Stay engaged with NCCA advocacy efforts as developments continue.
NCCA remains committed to informed, ethical, and constructive engagement on issues that affect counselors and the communities we serve. We encourage members to remain attentive, grounded, and prepared to respond in ways that reflect our profession’s commitment to dignity, access, and student well-being.