A new bill filed by State Rep. Blair Eddins in the North Carolina House seeks to enhance protections for women in various facilities by redefining biological sex and gender within state law, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 791 on April 3 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Women’s Safety and Protection Act.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill, titled the Women’s Safety and Protection Act, aims to redefine terms related to biological sex and gender within North Carolina law, with a distinct emphasis on enhancing protections for women in various facilities. It mandates that covered facilities, such as prisons, schools, and domestic violence centers, ensure that restrooms, changing facilities, and sleeping quarters are used strictly by individuals of the same designated biological sex, with certain exceptions for families and specific circumstances. Additionally, the bill outlines rules for updating birth certificates and driver’s licenses based on biological indicators. It introduces a civil action process for those encountering persons of the opposite biological sex in single or multiple occupancy facilities. The act is effective from Oct. 1, 2025, except where noted otherwise.
A related bill, SB 516, was also filed in the North Carolina Senate, introduced by Sen. Vickie Sawyer (and one other) on March 25, 2025.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Jennifer Balkcom proposed the most bills (35) during the 2025 regular session.
Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
Eddins graduated from North Carolina State University in 1995.
Eddins, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2024 to represent the state’s 94th House district, replacing previous state representative Jeffrey Elmore.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blair Eddins, Heather H. Rhyne, Jennifer Balkcom, and Sarah Stevens | HB 791 | 04/03/2025 | Women’s Safety and Protection Act. |
| Blair Eddins, Brian Biggs, Jennifer Balkcom, and Steve Tyson | HB 782 | 04/03/2025 | Civic Club Registration Plate Clarification. |
| Blair Eddins, Cody Huneycutt, Dean Arp, and Jeffrey C. McNeely | HB 751 | 04/02/2025 | Uniform Energy Rates for Seasonal Service. |
| Blair Eddins, Jennifer Balkcom, Karl E. Gillespie, and Neal Jackson | HB 647 | 04/01/2025 | Ag. PUV Conservation. |
| Blair Eddins, Carson Smith, Jay Adams, and Keith Kidwell | HB 674 | 04/01/2025 | The Firearms Liberty Act. |
| Blair Eddins | HB 273 | 03/04/2025 | Create/Fund Brushy Mtns. State Natural Area. |
| Blair Eddins, Brenden H. Jones, Jarrod Lowery, and Neal Jackson | HB 171 | 02/21/2025 | Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI. |
| Blair Eddins | HB 155 | 02/18/2025 | SchCalFlex/Wilkes,Alexander/Open Cal. |
| Blair Eddins, Howard Penny, Jr., Jimmy Dixon, and Neal Jackson | HB 130 | 02/13/2025 | Agriculture Crops Disaster Relief. |
| Blair Eddins, Grant L. Campbell, MD, Keith Kidwell, and Wyatt Gable | HB 98 | 02/11/2025 | Patriotism Expression Act. |
| Blair Eddins, Ben T. Moss, Jr., Keith Kidwell, and Wyatt Gable | HB 72 | 02/10/2025 | AG/Restrict Challenge to Presidential EOs. |
| Blair Eddins, Brian Biggs, Mike Schietzelt, and Neal Jackson | HB 87 | 02/10/2025 | Cell Phone-Free Education. |
