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Primary Sponsor

Last Action

Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate2025-03-26

Vote Breakdown

No floor votes recorded.

Plain Language Summary

This bill modifies North Carolina's domestic violence protective order law to ensure that same-sex couples have the same access to protective orders as opposite-sex couples. Currently, the law limits dating relationship protections to opposite-sex couples; this bill removes that gender restriction so same-sex couples can obtain protective orders in dating relationships.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue this bill ensures equal protection under law by closing a gap that leaves same-sex couples vulnerable to domestic violence without legal recourse.
• •They contend that domestic violence protection should be available to all North Carolinians regardless of sexual orientation, and that removing the opposite-sex requirement brings the state in line with constitutional protections and modern fairness standards.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may argue about the scope of legislative changes to family law definitions or express concerns about how courts will implement expanded definitions.
• •Some may question whether this represents an appropriate level of state involvement in relationship definitions, though most legal experts view the protective order statute as a straightforward expansion of existing domestic violence protections.