Latest news with #SophiaChitlik
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
An obvious amendment to Republican anti-DEI bills
Sen. Sophia Chitlik seeks clarity on SB 558 - legislation eliminating "DEI" in Public Higher Ed. (Photo: Screengrab from NCGA video) As part of their ongoing effort to manipulate and capitalize on irrational white voter fears, state Republican lawmakers are advancing legislation this session that purports to attack quote 'DEI' in public education. Under the bill, state law would spell out a long list of supposedly 'divisive concepts' that would be banned from public schools. For example, the bill says it will be illegal to teach that a quote 'meritocracy' — whatever that is — is inherently 'racist' or 'sexist' — two words that are also not defined. Of course, the purpose of this impossibly vague language is no mystery — it's to discourage educators from discussions of America's grim past on matters of race that might make white students uncomfortable. And that would be a tragic mistake. A simple amendment would help. Lawmakers should add a word to the bill to make clear that teaching divisive concepts is banned, but only if they are untrue. The bottom line: Discussion of hard truths is an essential part of education that our kids can handle. Would that GOP lawmakers could as well. For NC Newsline, I'm Rob Schofield.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bipartisan bill to study medical use of psychedelics filed in North Carolina Senate
RALEIGH, N.C. (WGHP) — A bill being considered in the North Carolina State Senate would commit time and money to the study of psychoactive chemicals and possible medical uses. The 'Innovative Treatments for Mental Health Act,' SB568, was filed last week and is described as 'an act to establish the North Carolina Mental Health and Psychedelic Medicine Task Force.' The bill proposes that the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Use Services can establish a taskforce to: 'Assess the potential use of psychedelic medicine in addressing the State's ongoing mental health crisis. Consider barriers to implementation and equitable access. Consider and recommend licensing and insurance requirements for practitioners in the State in the event that psychedelic medicines are federally reclassified and approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Consider legal and regulatory pathways to the legalization of psychedelic medicines in the State and the potential effects of the medicines on public health.' The task force would meet to determine the usefulness and implementation of psychedelics in medical treatments and would be expected to provide a report on their findings by Dec. 1, 2026, including any proposed legislation. Bill to raise North Carolina minimum wage filed by House Democrats The bill's primary sponsors are Sen. Sophia Chitlik (D-District 22) and Sen. Bobby Hannig (R-District 1). The bill passed its first reading and was referred to committees last week. According to the American Psychological Association, small studies have shown promising results in treating persistent mental illness with psychedelic drugs such as MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, but continued larger studies are needed before they can be approved for widespread use. 'Larger studies have also supported the benefits of psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression, and researchers suspect this drug could be the next in line for FDA approval,' the APA wrote in 2024. Psilocybin is the psychoactive component of so-called 'magic mushrooms.' According to the APA, 'Evidence is also mounting that psychedelics, which typically produce an altered state of consciousness, could help people suffering from substance use disorders, racial trauma, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and other conditions.' The Mental Health and Psychedelic Medicine Task Force would consist of the secretary of the NCDHHS, the secretary of the Department of Veteran and Military Affairs, the secretary of the Department of Commerce, and the following representatives for various healthcare sectors: Mental health issues North Carolina Native communities Survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault Psychiatry Faculty of the University of North Carolina School of Medicine Faculty of the East Carolina University Brody School of Medicine Two members of the Senate, appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Senate Minority Leader. Two members of the House of Representatives, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the House Minority Leader. Additionally, the task force has the option to select up to three members to represent other sectors that may be impacted by the findings of the task force, including human trafficking advocates, disabled veterans' groups or first responder associations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Axios
01-04-2025
- Health
- Axios
NC bills target state-funded anti-abortion clinics
Two bills in the North Carolina legislature aim to cut millions in state funding that's going toward crisis pregnancy centers, often described as anti-abortion clinics. Why it matters: Over the past decade, taxpayer money going to crisis pregnancy centers in North Carolina has surged from $300,000 a year to more than $12 million, an investigation by The Assembly found. These clinics are often criticized for sharing misleading information, being exempt from privacy rules and lacking government oversight. Context: Crisis pregnancy centers are known to use targeted advertising, like offering free ultrasounds online, to draw in pregnant women considering abortion. Many patients have recounted experiences where staff asked about religion and attempted to convince them to carry out their pregnancies by showing sonograms or using other guilt tactics. The New York Times reported that one Charlotte clinic goes by three different names. One woman told The Times she was falsely told at the clinic that she was beyond the legal limit for an abortion when she was still eligible for the abortion pill. The Senate bill, if passed, would reroute the money sent to crisis pregnancy centers to organizations helping pregnant women in crisis instead. For example, Rep. Sophia Chitlik says Durham organization Equity Before Birth would be an ideal candidate for the redirected funding. The organization supports pregnant women with cash payments for work leave, doula care, diapers and clothing. The money could also go toward Department of Health and Human Services programs or extending postpartum Medicaid coverage. "If they want to force people to have children, then they should not be supporting entities that are not giving them sound medical advice," Rep. Natalie Murdock says. The Senate bill also calls for a state audit of Carolina Pregnancy Care Fellowship, the umbrella organization overseeing many crisis pregnancy centers. Democrats argue this would align with Republicans' growing focus on government efficiency. "If these are high-performing centers, I challenge folks to prove it," Chitlik says. The House bill would empower the state attorney general to investigate complaints of deceptive practices, such as a center presenting itself as if it provides abortions and emergency contraception when it does not. Yes, but: One of the bill's sponsors, Rep. Julie von Haefen, expects the legislation to "just end up in the trash pile." Over the years, the Wake County representative has filed multiple bills regarding crisis pregnancy centers and budget amendments to redirect funding, to no avail.
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
NC Republicans file transgender bathroom bill; NC Democrats seek reproductive and LGBTQ+ protections
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — North Carolina Democrats filed a slew of bills Tuesday all centered around reproductive health and LGBTQ+ protections. According to Democratic lawmakers, some of the bills will guarantee the rights to use contraception to prevent pregnancy and access fertility treatments through IVF. Others will ban conversion therapy and the use/perception of gender and sexual orientation as a defense in assault and homicide cases. An equality for all bill is also proposed. 'We need to be done with treating people as anything less than full human beings deserving of respect and dignity,' state Sen. Julie Mayfield said. State Sen. Sophia Chitlik said, 'Contraception is taken to support people with a variety of health challenges, including polycystic ovary syndrome.' While state Democrats said they're pushing their priorities, Republicans filed Senate Bill 516 Tuesday. Entitled the Women's Safety and Protection Act, it is sweeping legislation that would limit a transgender person's access to bathrooms and their ability to change legal documents. Republicans have previously said banning biological men from women's bathrooms is a safety measure. According to Democrats, Republicans are only attacking marginalized communities and putting LGBTQ+ and transgender communities in danger. 'If you don't believe it, just look out there at all those people who just want to be recognized as humans,' state Rep. Allison Dahle said. 'They don't care if you recognize their pronouns, they just want to be human and live their lives.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NC Senate committee approves 'Border Protection Act' targeting unauthorized immigrants
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Service Processing Center in El Centro, Calif. (Stock photo by) A North Carolina Senate committee advanced a bill Wednesday that would require state law enforcement agencies to cooperate more closely with federal immigration authorities. The Republican-controlled Senate Judiciary Committee voted to give a favorable report to Senate Bill 153, the 'North Carolina Border Protection Act,' sending the bill to the Rules Committee. The bill, cosponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger, would require that state agencies like the Department of Public Safety and Highway Patrol enter into agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to assist with immigration enforcement. It would also require state law enforcement agencies to determine the immigration status of anyone in their custody. The bill also includes a provision directing the state budget office to audit public benefit programs to ensure they are not providing services to undocumented immigrants, despite federal law that already bars participation by undocumented individuals. Durham Democratic Senator Sophia Chitlik raised concerns that the benefit provision could have a 'disproportionate impact' on children in mixed-status families where some members are U.S. citizens, calling on the committee to remove the section on auditing public benefits. The bill also faced opposition from civil liberties groups who argued it would erode trust between immigrant communities and law enforcement. Samantha Salkin, Policy Analyst for ACLU of North Carolina argued the bill 'is an attack on immigrant communities and an attempt to further the false narrative that immigrants are a drain on our public service system and pose a threat to public safety.' Salkin said the legislation 'is likely to result in U.S. citizens having reduced access to essential services' and erode trust between immigrants and law enforcement.
