Rep. Stevens files bill in North Carolina House to enhance women’s safety protections

A new bill filed by State Rep. Stevens seeks to enhance protections for women by defining biological sex and regulating facility use accordingly in North Carolina 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.

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.