Rep. Johnson-Hostler files bill in North Carolina House to prioritize child well-being

A new bill filed by State Rep. Johnson-Hostler seeks to enhance child well-being by expanding affordable child care and strengthening health and safety protections in North Carolina, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 507 on March 25 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘The Children First Act.’

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

In essence, the bill, known as “The Children First Act,” aims to prioritize children’s well-being in North Carolina by enhancing access to affordable, high-quality child care and addressing various health and safety concerns. Effective July 1, 2025, it allocates $50 million annually to the Child Care Subsidy Program to expand eligibility and increase subsidy rates. Additionally, it establishes grants and a loan program for new and existing child care facilities in underserved areas and introduces tax credits for employers providing child care. The bill also focuses on child safety by extending Medicaid to cover doula services, increasing mental health support, revising child passenger safety laws, and enhancing firearm storage safety. It raises the legal age for purchasing tobacco and vapor products to 21 and regulates the sale of intoxicating cannabis products. Furthermore, the bill creates a Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Team and mandates child-safe packaging for cannabis products. It establishes new online child protection measures against algorithmic exploitation and manipulation, with penalties for violations. A Child Care Innovation Task Force is formed to monitor progress, ensuring the state becomes a leader in child care and safety initiatives.

A related bill, SB 483, was also filed in the North Carolina Senate, introduced by Sen. Sydney Batch (and two others) on March 25, 2025.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Lindsey Prather proposed the most bills (16) 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.

Johnson-Hostler graduated from Fayetteville State University with a BS.

Johnson-Hostler, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2025 to represent the state’s 33rd House district, replacing previous state representative Rosa Gill.