Rep. Greenfield files bill in North Carolina House to expand part-time enrollment for students with disabilities

A new bill filed by State Rep. Julia Greenfield in the North Carolina House aims to give students with disabilities more access to public school courses and services, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 1182 on April 30 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Part-Time Status for Disabled Students.’

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

In essence, this bill requires local school boards and charter schools to allow children with disabilities who attend nonpublic schools to enroll part time in public schools to access any courses, programs or services for which they are otherwise eligible. It directs each local board to adopt and post an online policy on part-time enrollment and requires charter schools to post information on their websites, with part-time charter students excluded from enrollment growth calculations. The bill appropriates $10,000 in one-time state funds for related administrative costs. It takes effect July 1, 2026, for the 2026-27 school year.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Zack Hawkins proposed the most bills (64) 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.

Greenfield graduated from Appalachian State University in 1982 with a BA.

Greenfield, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2025 to represent the state’s 100th House district, replacing previous state representative John Autry.