Rep. Jackson files bill in North Carolina House requiring criminal background checks for child-related jobs

A new bill filed by State Rep. Neal Jackson seeks to require counties and cities to conduct criminal history record checks for jobs involving children, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 162 on Feb. 21 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Local Gov’t Applicants/Criminal History Check.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, the bill mandates that counties and cities in North Carolina require criminal history record checks for employment applicants if the position necessitates working with children in any capacity. This requirement applies to all relevant roles, with the checks to be conducted by the State Bureau of Investigation per existing state guidelines. While local authorities may already conduct such checks at their discretion, this bill ensures they are obligatory for positions involving children. The act becomes effective Oct. 1, 2025, and will apply to employment applications submitted on or after this date.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Keith Kidwell proposed the most bills (17) 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.

Jackson, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 78th House district, replacing previous state representative Allen McNeill.