HB 8 - Summary

• Establishes computer science as a new high school graduation requirement beginning with students entering 9th grade in 2024-2025 school year; public school units must offer computer science courses and the requirement replaces one elective credit rather than increasing total credits.

• Requires successful completion of cardiopulmonary resuscitation instruction, passing grade in Founding Principles course, and passing grade in computer science course for high school graduation; exempts students with math-related learning disabilities from Algebra I requirement and students whose disabilities prevent completion of computer science requirement.

• Creates accreditation policies for University of North Carolina and community colleges requiring rotation between regional accrediting agencies every accreditation cycle; allows constituent institutions to sue for damages if false statements are made to accrediting agencies.

• Updates references from Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to regional accrediting agencies across multiple licensing and fee statutes for massage therapy, real estate education, real estate appraisal, and related professional programs.

• Establishes Pornography Age Verification Enforcement Act (PAVE Act) effective January 1, 2024, requiring commercial entities publishing material harmful to minors online to verify age through commercially available databases; creates civil liability for violations with damages recoverable by parents, guardians, and affected individuals.