North Carolina senator introduces bill to broaden domestic violence protection for same-sex couples

A bill recently introduced in the North Carolina Senate by State Sen. Woodson Bradley seeks to expand access to protective orders for same-sex couples, the North Carolina State Senate reported.

The measure, filed as SB 784 on April 21 in the 2025 regular session, carries the short title: ‘Ensure Same-Sex Domestic Violence Prot. Order.’

Below is our summary based on the actual bill language, including explanatory notes for clarity.

This legislation eliminates the opposite-sex criteria from North Carolina’s “personal relationship” definition in domestic violence statutes, thus allowing same-sex couples—including those dating or living together—to obtain domestic violence protective orders under the same eligibility as opposite-sex couples. The proposal allocates $500,000 in one-time General Fund resources to the Administrative Office of the Courts for the 2026-27 fiscal year, designating the funds for an awareness and prevention initiative addressing domestic violence among same-sex partners. The law would take effect upon enactment and apply to protective orders issued after that point.

Bradley has also submitted 75 additional bills during the 2025 regular session.

Lawmakers in North Carolina follow a multi-stage process before a bill becomes law. A legislator introduces a bill, after which it is assigned to a committee for review. Each chamber is required to read the bill three times. If amendments are made by one chamber, both must eventually consent to the same language. Once both chambers agree, the bill goes to the governor, who then has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is out of session) to sign, veto, or allow the measure to become law without a signature.

In 1995, Bradley earned a BA from Hollins University.

Bradley, a member of the Democratic Party, was elected in 2025 to serve as the state senator for North Carolina’s 42nd district, succeeding Rachel Hunt.