Sen. Lowe files bill in North Carolina Senate to support rural maternal health services

A new bill filed by State Sen. Paul A. Lowe, Jr. in the North Carolina Senate aims to expand maternal health services for rural communities, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 923 on April 29 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Funds for Brenner Children’s Hospital.’

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

In essence, this bill appropriates $250,000 in nonrecurring funds from the General Fund for the 2026-27 fiscal year to the Office of State Budget and Management to provide a directed grant to the city of Winston-Salem. The money must be used to support a rural maternal health program at the facility commonly known as Atrium Health Levine Children’s Brenner Children’s Hospital. The bill appears intended to expand or enhance maternal health services for rural populations served by the hospital. The act becomes effective July 1, 2026.

Lowe proposed another 45 bills 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.

Lowe graduated from Bishop College in 1985 with a BA and again from Drew University School of Theology with a DMIN.

Lowe, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2015 to represent the state’s 32nd Senate district, replacing previous state senator Earline Parmon.