The new bill filed by State Rep. Brian Turner aims to let domestic violence victims obtain an absolute divorce more quickly under certain legal conditions, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 1070 on April 28 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Domestic Violence Divorce Reform Act.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill amends North Carolina’s divorce law to allow a spouse who is a victim of domestic violence to obtain an absolute divorce without the current one-year separation requirement when the abusive spouse is responsible for the violence. The divorce may be granted if there is a domestic violence protective order with findings, a conviction of a domestic violence-related offense, or a judge’s order after an evidentiary hearing that can consider law enforcement and agency records, domestic violence program documentation, or medical or professional records. The bill appropriates $50,000 in nonrecurring funds for the 2026-27 fiscal year to the Compass Center to support domestic violence victims and applies to actions started on or after its effective date.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Allen Buansi proposed the most bills (29) 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.
Turner graduated from Northwestern University in 1996 with a BA.
Turner, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2025 to represent the state’s 116th House district, replacing previous state representative Caleb Rudow.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brian Turner, Allen Buansi, Charles Smith, and Monika Johnson-Hostler | HB 1070 | 04/28/2026 | Domestic Violence Divorce Reform Act. |
| Brian Turner and Allen Buansi | HB 942 | 04/10/2025 | Funds to Support Survivors. |
| Brian Turner, Beth Helfrich, Phil Rubin, and Sarah Crawford | HB 952 | 04/10/2025 | Comprehensive Capital for Childcare Expansion. |
| Brian Turner, Kyle Hall, Mike Schietzelt, and Robert T. Reives, II | HB 976 | 04/10/2025 | Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act. |
| Brian Turner, Dennis Riddell, Mark Brody, and Paul Scott | HB 997 | 04/10/2025 | Certify Reading of NC Constitution. |
| Brian Turner, Eric Ager, and Lindsey Prather | HB 863 | 04/09/2025 | Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 – Part 1(b). |
| Brian Turner, Amber M. Baker, Julia Greenfield, and Tim Longest | HB 798 | 04/07/2025 | Expand Access to Cold Weather Shelters/Funds. |
| Brian Turner, Jake Johnson, Mike Clampitt, and Wyatt Gable | HB 721 | 04/02/2025 | Muddy Sneakers/St. Gerard House. |
| Brian Turner, Jordan Lopez, Maria Cervania, and Ya Liu | HB 730 | 04/02/2025 | Comprehensive State Communications. |
| Brian Turner, Ben T. Moss, Jr., Jay Adams, and Mike Clampitt | HB 747 | 04/02/2025 | 2025 Wildlife Resources Changes.-AB |
| Brian Turner, Phil Rubin, Sarah Crawford, and Vernetta Alston | HB 668 | 04/01/2025 | NC Working Families Economic Relief Act. |
| Brian Turner, Jordan Lopez, Sarah Crawford, and Vernetta Alston | HB 677 | 04/01/2025 | Open Movie Captioning in Movie Theaters. |
| Brian Turner, Eric Ager, Lindsey Prather, and Rodney D. Pierce | HB 599 | 03/31/2025 | Award NC Forest Service Pay Increase. |
| Brian Turner, Cody Huneycutt, John R. Bell, IV, and Karl E. Gillespie | HB 382 | 03/12/2025 | Elk Permit Auction/Raffle. |
| Brian Turner, Eric Ager, and Lindsey Prather | HB 228 | 02/26/2025 | City of Asheville/Funds for Study. |
| Brian Turner, Eric Ager, and Lindsey Prather | HB 238 | 02/26/2025 | Reimburse Buncombe Co. for Cost of Study. |
| Brian Turner, Eric Ager, and Lindsey Prather | HB 194 | 02/25/2025 | SchCalFlex/Asheville/Open Cal. |
| Brian Turner, Eric Ager, and Lindsey Prather | HB 104 | 02/11/2025 | SchCalFlex/Buncombe/Open Cal. |
