A new bill filed by State Rep. Abe Jones in the North Carolina House seeks to enhance a survivor-centered human trafficking reporting system, focusing on expanding resources and partnerships in western North Carolina, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 585 on March 31 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Human Trafficking Reporting/Response System.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill allocates $300,000 from the General Fund to the North Carolina Human Trafficking Commission for the 2025-26 fiscal year to develop and support a secure, technology-driven, and survivor-centered human trafficking reporting and response system, with a focus on western North Carolina, where resources are limited. The funds will be utilized to expand the system’s reach, hire a full-time regional operations coordinator, and launch a public awareness campaign targeting at-risk communities, first responders, and the general public. The coordinator will oversee the implementation, strengthen partnerships with law enforcement and service providers, and ensure system effectiveness. The aim is to increase the utilization and efficacy of the system in areas with the most need. This act takes effect July 1, 2025.
Of the two sponsors of this bill, Jeffrey C. McNeely proposed the most bills (17) 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.
Jones graduated from Harvard University in 1974 with an AB and again in 1977 from Harvard Law School with a JD.
Jones, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2021 to represent the state’s 38th House district, replacing previous state representative Yvonne Lewis Holley.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abe Jones and Jeffrey C. McNeely | HB 585 | 03/31/2025 | Human Trafficking Reporting/Response System. |
| Abe Jones, Julia Greenfield, Marcia Morey, and Renée A. Price | HB 589 | 03/31/2025 | The Second Look Act. |
| Abe Jones, Becky Carney, Robert T. Reives, II, and Shelly Willingham | HB 604 | 03/31/2025 | Rural and Downtown Community Eco. Dev. Grants. |
| Abe Jones, Julia Greenfield, Sarah Crawford, and Terry M. Brown Jr. | HB 467 | 03/20/2025 | Reenact Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. |
| Abe Jones, Robert T. Reives, II, and Terry M. Brown Jr. | HB 446 | 03/18/2025 | Prohibition on Disclosing Booking Photographs. |
| Abe Jones, Charles Smith, Julie von Haefen, and Monika Johnson-Hostler | HB 367 | 03/11/2025 | Provide Rape Kit Status Updates to Victims. |
| Abe Jones, Garland E. Pierce, Hugh Blackwell, and Marcia Morey | HB 335 | 03/06/2025 | Expand Emergency Judge Eligibility. |
| Abe Jones, Marcia Morey, Phil Rubin, and Tim Longest | HB 129 | 02/13/2025 | Judge Joe John Nonpartisan Jud. Elections Act. |
