N.C. Senate Passes Legislation to Enhance Protections for Women and Children
Last night, the North Carolina Senate passed House Bill 805, Prevent Sexual Exploitation/Women and Minors, in a 27-4 vote, with the majority of Democrats declining to even vote on the final passage of the bill. The bill now heads back to the House for further consideration.
What the legislation does:
The legislation defines biological sex that applies to all administrative rules, regulations, or public polices throughout North Carolina and its political subdivisions.
The bill creates an age verification and consent requirement for individuals appearing in pornographic images, and provides for the removal of those images.
The legislation prohibits state funds for gender transition procedures for any prisoner in North Carolina’s penitentiaries.
Updates the birth certificate amendment process to keep a copy of the original document.
Extends the deadline for minors to file malpractice lawsuits over gender affirming care concerns.
Allows parents greater access to public school libraries and expands the ability to exclude students based on religious objections.
Democrats Decide To Pay Fine Rather Than Vote
Rather than vote against this legislation, fifteen Democrat Senators decided to vote present and decided to pay the fine rather than take a position on the legislation. Buncombe County’s Sen. Julie Mayfield was one of the Democrats who declined to vote on the legislation. Senate Minority Leader Syndey Batch told the News and Observer that “This was our stance to make it very clear that it may not be a situation where we can win every sing fight, but we are going to gauge it, and when you meet us that energy we are going to return it in the exact same thing.”
Tim’s Take: The decision to vote present on this important bill is the height of political theater. Voters respect politicians who make tough decisions; declining to represent their constituents' voices looks weak and calculating.
