A new bill filed by State Rep. Neal Jackson in the North Carolina House seeks to regulate the distribution and advertising of abortion-inducing drugs to ensure compliance with state laws, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 553 on March 27 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Ensuring Patient Safety w/Mail Order Meds.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill revises laws concerning the distribution and advertising of abortion-inducing drugs, making it illegal for individuals or organizations to mail or supply such drugs to pregnant women unless certain conditions are met, including a 72-hour prior in-person consultation with a qualified professional and adherence to informed consent requirements. It also prohibits advertisements and online services directed at promoting these drugs in violation of state laws. Violations are punishable as Class H felonies, and affected individuals or the state Attorney General may file civil actions within three years of the alleged violation. Remedies in civil actions include injunctions, damages, and legal costs. The bill requires foreign entities involved in the distribution of abortion-inducing drugs in North Carolina to obtain a certificate of authority. The regulations take effect on December 1, 2025, for offenses committed thereafter.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Grant L. Campbell, MD proposed the most bills (41) 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.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neal Jackson, Grant L. Campbell, MD, Jennifer Balkcom, and Larry W. Potts | HB 553 | 03/27/2025 | Ensuring Patient Safety w/Mail Order Meds. |
| Neal Jackson, Julia C. Howard, and Mitchell S. Setzer | HB 554 | 03/27/2025 | Rev Laws Tech Chngs/BBA Chngs/P2P Tax Parity. |
| Neal Jackson, Brian Biggs, Kyle Hall, and Sarah Stevens | HB 557 | 03/27/2025 | The Andy Griffith Show as State TV Show. |
| Neal Jackson, Brian Biggs, Donnie Loftis, and Jennifer Balkcom | HB 560 | 03/27/2025 | Parents Protection Act. |
| Neal Jackson, Brian Biggs, Jennifer Balkcom, and Sarah Stevens | HB 535 | 03/26/2025 | Title Fraud Prevention Act. |
| Neal Jackson, Allen Chesser, Jennifer Balkcom, and Mike Schietzelt | HB 547 | 03/26/2025 | Children’s Services Protection Act. |
| Neal Jackson, Allen Chesser, Terry M. Brown Jr., and Tim Longest | HB 462 | 03/19/2025 | Personal Data Privacy/Social Media Safety. |
| Neal Jackson, Brian Echevarria, Jimmy Dixon, and Matthew Winslow | HB 432 | 03/18/2025 | Property Tax Relief Study. |
| Neal Jackson, Brian Biggs, Steve Tyson, and Wyatt Gable | HB 411 | 03/17/2025 | Reduce Early Voting Period for Primaries. |
| Neal Jackson, Jennifer Balkcom, Jonathan L. Almond, and Mitchell S. Setzer | HB 380 | 03/12/2025 | Conscientious Objections to Vaccine Mandates. |
| Neal Jackson, David Willis, Jeff Zenger, and Jonathan L. Almond | HB 301 | 03/05/2025 | Social Media Protections for Minors Under 16. |
| Neal Jackson, Bill Ward, Brian Biggs, and Jennifer Balkcom | HB 261 | 03/03/2025 | Sent. Enhancement/Immigration-Related Crimes. |
| Neal Jackson, Brenden H. Jones, Brian Biggs, and Brian Echevarria | HB 244 | 02/27/2025 | Depoliticize Government Property Act. |
| Neal Jackson, Brian Biggs, Jennifer Balkcom, and John R. Bell, IV | HB 186 | 02/24/2025 | The Stars and Stripes Commitment Act. |
| Neal Jackson, Bill Ward, Donnie Loftis, and Keith Kidwell | HB 162 | 02/21/2025 | Local Gov’t Applicants/Criminal History Check. |
| Neal Jackson, Blair Eddins, Brenden H. Jones, and Jarrod Lowery | HB 171 | 02/21/2025 | Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI. |
| Neal Jackson, Jeff Zenger, Jennifer Balkcom, and John R. Bell, IV | HB 133 | 02/17/2025 | NC Farmland and Military Protection Act. |
| Neal Jackson and Jimmy Dixon | HB 126 | 02/13/2025 | Revise Voluntary Ag. District Laws. |
| Neal Jackson, Blair Eddins, Howard Penny, Jr., and Jimmy Dixon | HB 130 | 02/13/2025 | Agriculture Crops Disaster Relief. |
| Neal Jackson, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., John Sauls, and Paul Scott | HB 100 | 02/11/2025 | Expand Religious Property Tax Exemption. |
| Neal Jackson, Blair Eddins, Brian Biggs, and Mike Schietzelt | HB 87 | 02/10/2025 | Cell Phone-Free Education. |
| Neal Jackson, Jennifer Balkcom, Jimmy Dixon, and Karl E. Gillespie | HB 62 | 02/05/2025 | Farmers Protection Act. |
| Neal Jackson, Brian Biggs, Kyle Hall, and Stephen M. Ross | HB 31 | 02/03/2025 | Make Election Day A State Holiday. |
| Neal Jackson, Cody Huneycutt, Julia C. Howard, and Paul Scott | HB 37 | 02/03/2025 | Enhance Firefighter Benefits & Representation. |
