A new bill filed by State Rep. Howard seeks to direct a study on medical aid in dying, evaluating its processes, impacts, and safeguards in North Carolina, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 410 on March 17 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘NCIOM Study/Medical Aid in Dying.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill directs the North Carolina Institute of Medicine to study the legalization of medical aid in dying (MAID) in the state. The study will evaluate the processes, applicant qualifications, and safeguards from the 11 U.S. jurisdictions where MAID is legal, and analyze the demographic factors influencing MAID decisions, its social and emotional impacts, and the effectiveness of current MAID laws. It will also examine healthcare provider participation, medications used, existing end-of-life options in North Carolina, and how the lack of MAID impacts terminally ill individuals. Further, it will consider potential legislative safeguards and gather public input through hearings. The findings and recommendations are due by April 1, 2027. Effective July 1, 2025, $150,000 is allocated from the General Fund for the study.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Donny Lambeth proposed the most bills (26) 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.
Howard graduated from Salem College in 2003 with a BA.
Howard, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2019 to represent the state’s 77th House district, replacing previous state representative Harry Warren.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Julia C. Howard, Donny Lambeth, Lindsey Prather, and Pricey Harrison | HB 410 | 03/17/2025 | NCIOM Study/Medical Aid in Dying. |
| Julia C. Howard, Jeff Zenger, and Ted Davis, Jr. | HB 264 | 03/03/2025 | Wire Fraud Prevention Act. |
| Julia C. Howard, Jennifer Balkcom, John R. Bell, IV, and Ya Liu | HB 187 | 02/24/2025 | Credit Union Update. |
| Julia C. Howard, Harry Warren, Jake Johnson, and John M. Blust | HB 154 | 02/18/2025 | Reclaim State Assets from NCInnovation. |
| Julia C. Howard, Brian Biggs, Kyle Hall, and Steve Tyson | HB 96 | 02/11/2025 | Expedited Removal of Unauthorized Persons. |
| Julia C. Howard, Cody Huneycutt, Paul Scott, and Steve Tyson | HB 97 | 02/11/2025 | Support Firefighters Fighting Cancer. |
| Julia C. Howard, Harry Warren, Mark Brody, and Mitchell S. Setzer | HB 48 | 02/04/2025 | Increase UI Max Benefit/2025 UI Tax Credit. |
| Julia C. Howard, Cody Huneycutt, Larry W. Potts, and Mitchell S. Setzer | HB 54 | 02/04/2025 | Funds for NC APSE. |
| Julia C. Howard, Cody Huneycutt, Larry W. Potts, and Mitchell S. Setzer | HB 55 | 02/04/2025 | Funds for the IGNITE Program. |
| Julia C. Howard | HB 33 | 02/03/2025 | SchCalFlex/Yadkin, Davie/CC. |
| Julia C. Howard, Cody Huneycutt, Neal Jackson, and Paul Scott | HB 37 | 02/03/2025 | Enhance Firefighter Benefits & Representation. |
