NC S442

Raising or referring to a juvenile consistent with their biological sex cannot be used as a basis for filing abuse or neglect petitions under North Carolina's juvenile code

Adoption agencies are prohibited from denying or delaying adoptive parent opportunities or child placements based on prospective parents' refusal to support a child's gender transition

Parents and caregivers are explicitly exempt from misdemeanor and felony child abuse charges for raising a child consistent with biological sex, including making related mental health or medical decisions

The definition of "serious mental injury" in child abuse statutes is amended to exclude raising a child consistent with their biological sex

Section 2 provisions became effective July 1, 2025, and apply retroactively to offenses committed before that date; the law was signed by Governor Josh Stein on July 3, 2025