North Carolina Senate bill seeks to enhance school safety alert protocols

State Sen. Woodson Bradley has introduced a bill in the North Carolina Senate intended to increase the speed and effectiveness of parent notifications regarding credible threats at schools, as well as strengthen safety procedures overall, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

Designated as SB 782 and filed on April 21 during the 2025 regular session, the measure carries the short title: ‘Safe Schools Transparency Act.’

Below is an outline of the bill’s main points, summarized from the actual bill text, with some explanatory details included for clarity.

The proposal would require public schools to promptly notify parents about credible threats related to students, campuses or involving law enforcement actions through at least two communication channels, and to provide ongoing updates as situations unfold. It establishes procedures for complaints and investigations, allows for financial penalties and administrative sanctions if notifications are not made, and makes intentional concealment of a threat resulting in injury a Class A1 misdemeanor. The bill calls for annual school safety reports, online access to safety policies, the revival and update of the Task Force for Safer Schools, and the creation of a School Safety Fund. This fund, supported by penalties and a $25 million appropriation, would finance crisis intervention services and safety upgrades. Section 3 is set to take effect July 1, 2026; other provisions are scheduled for implementation during the 2026-27 school year.

Bradley filed an additional 75 bills in the 2025 regular session.

Passing a bill in North Carolina involves a multi-stage process. The process starts when a lawmaker files a bill, which is then sent to a committee for consideration. Each chamber must read the bill three times. If amendments are made after passage by one chamber, both must agree on a final version. Once both chambers approve identical text, it is sent to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 days if the legislature is out of session) to sign, veto or allow it to become law without signing.

Bradley earned a BA from Hollins University in 1995.

Bradley, a Democrat, was elected in 2025 to represent North Carolina’s 42nd Senate district, succeeding Rachel Hunt in the role.