A new bill filed by State Rep. Sarah Stevens in the North Carolina House seeks to provide educational and career skills development for adults lacking a high school diploma, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 426 on March 17 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Workforce Diploma Program.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, the bill establishes the Workforce Diploma Program administered by the Community Colleges System Office for the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years. Aimed at helping North Carolina residents aged 21 and older who lack a high school diploma or equivalent, the program offers courses to obtain a diploma and develop career and technical skills. It provides structured support, including mentoring, skill assessments, career advising, and employability skill certifications. Funds are allocated to third-party entities based on participant milestones, with up to $7,500 per participant. A $5 million appropriation from the General Fund supports the program, including a full-time position to manage it. Reports on the program’s impact are due in August 2026 and 2027. The act becomes effective on July 1, 2025.
Of the two sponsors of this bill, Tricia Ann Cotham proposed the most bills (14) 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.
Stevens graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1981 with a BS and again in 1986 from Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law with a JD.
Stevens, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2009 to represent the state’s 90th House district, replacing previous state representative Jim Harrell.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarah Stevens and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 426 | 03/17/2025 | Workforce Diploma Program. |
| Sarah Stevens | HB 388 | 03/12/2025 | Amend Business Corporations Act. |
| Sarah Stevens | HB 377 | 03/11/2025 | Changes to Estates and Trusts Statutes. |
| Sarah Stevens | HB 334 | 03/06/2025 | GSC Unif. Community Prop. Disp. at Death Act. |
| Sarah Stevens | HB 307 | 03/05/2025 | Various Criminal Law Revisions. |
| Sarah Stevens | HB 308 | 03/05/2025 | Criminal Law Changes. |
| Sarah Stevens | HB 237 | 02/26/2025 | Child Welfare. |
| Sarah Stevens, Hugh Blackwell, Kyle Hall, and Mike Schietzelt | HB 182 | 02/24/2025 | Rev. Law Perm. Protect Order/Child Abuse. |
| Sarah Stevens and Keith Kidwell | HB 188 | 02/24/2025 | Automatic Renewal of Contracts. |
| Sarah Stevens, Carson Smith, Grant L. Campbell, MD, and Jennifer Balkcom | HB 164 | 02/21/2025 | Parental Consent to Release Child Autopsies. |
