North Carolina Rep. Julie von Haefen has introduced a bill in the state House that would exempt menstrual products from state sales tax, according to the North Carolina State House.
The legislation, registered as HB 1079 on April 28 for the 2025 regular session, carries the short title: ‘Menstrual Products Sales Tax Exemption.’
Below is an overview based on the actual bill text, with clarifications of key provisions.
Essentially, the measure would remove North Carolina’s retail sales and use tax from menstrual products starting on Oct. 1, 2026, covering sales occurring on or after this date. According to the bill, menstrual products include tampons, panty liners, menstrual cups, sanitary napkins, and similar tangible goods used for feminine hygiene in relation to the menstrual cycle. The legislation seeks to make these necessary health products more affordable by eliminating the state sales tax.
Among the two bill sponsors, Von Haefen sponsored the highest number of bills (33) during the 2025 regular session.
Legislation in North Carolina follows a multi-step process before becoming law. A bill is first filed by a lawmaker and sent to committee for evaluation. Each chamber must read the bill three times. If amendments are made after one chamber passes it, both must agree to the final language. Once both chambers approve the identical bill, it is sent to the governor, who can sign, veto, or allow it to become law without a signature after 10 days (or 30 days if the legislature is out of session).
More details on current legislation and measures can be found here.
Von Haefen earned a BA from Ohio University in 1992 and a JD from Case Western Reserve University in 1995.
The Democrat was elected in 2019 to represent North Carolina’s 36th House district, succeeding the previous representative, Nelson Dollar.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Julie von Haefen and Monika Johnson-Hostler | HB 1079 | 04/28/2026 | Menstrual Products Sales Tax Exemption. |
| Julie von Haefen, Beth Helfrich, Brandon Lofton, and Lindsey Prather | HB 1066 | 04/27/2026 | Child Care Stabilization & Affordability Act. |
| Julie von Haefen, Cynthia Ball, Lindsey Prather, and Zack Hawkins | HB 1017 | 04/21/2026 | Sound Basic Education for Every Child. |
| Julie von Haefen, Aisha O. Dew, Julia Greenfield, and Marcia Morey | HB 902 | 04/10/2025 | Free to Learn – Library Bill of Rights Act. |
| Julie von Haefen, Amber M. Baker, Frances Jackson, PhD, and Zack Hawkins | HB 910 | 04/10/2025 | DRIVE Recommendations/Teacher Diversity. |
| Julie von Haefen, Maria Cervania, Pricey Harrison, and Zack Hawkins | HB 922 | 04/10/2025 | North Carolina Consumer Protection Act. |
| Julie von Haefen, Beth Helfrich, and Tracy Clark | HB 940 | 04/10/2025 | Protection Against Pregnancy Discrimination. |
| Julie von Haefen, Cynthia Ball, Lindsey Prather, and Monika Johnson-Hostler | HB 941 | 04/10/2025 | Expand & Enhance the Teaching Fellows Program. |
| Julie von Haefen, Aisha O. Dew, and James Roberson | HB 852 | 04/09/2025 | Safe Dogs, Safe Owners. |
| Julie von Haefen, Carolyn G. Logan, Julia Greenfield, and Ya Liu | HB 856 | 04/09/2025 | Clarify Deed Restrictions/Solar Collectors. |
| Julie von Haefen, Amber M. Baker, Frances Jackson, PhD, and Lindsey Prather | HB 807 | 04/07/2025 | Strong Public Schools for a Strong NC. |
| Julie von Haefen, Amos L. Quick, III, Beth Helfrich, and Tracy Clark | HB 809 | 04/07/2025 | Count NC Pre-K for School ADM. |
| Julie von Haefen, Cynthia Ball, Lindsey Prather, and Phil Rubin | HB 815 | 04/07/2025 | Voucher School Accountability Act. |
| Julie von Haefen, Monika Johnson-Hostler, Vernetta Alston, and Zack Hawkins | HB 725 | 04/02/2025 | MOMnibus 3.0. |
| Julie von Haefen, Julia Greenfield, Sarah Crawford, and Terry M. Brown Jr. | HB 760 | 04/02/2025 | Bloodborne Pathogen Training for Tattooists. |
| Julie von Haefen, Brandon Lofton, Robert T. Reives, II, and Vernetta Alston | HB 645 | 04/01/2025 | Friendly NC Act. |
| Julie von Haefen, Beth Helfrich, Brandon Lofton, and Lindsey Prather | HB 651 | 04/01/2025 | Reduce Parent Copays/Child Care Subsidy/Funds. |
| Julie von Haefen, Cynthia Ball, Mary Belk, and Pricey Harrison | HB 686 | 04/01/2025 | Safe Cosmetics Act. |
| Julie von Haefen, Marcia Morey, Pricey Harrison, and Tracy Clark | HB 622 | 03/31/2025 | Limit Excessive Mag Sizes. |
| Julie von Haefen, Amber M. Baker, Dante Pittman, and Terry M. Brown Jr. | HB 521 | 03/26/2025 | Healthy Families & Workplaces/Paid Sick Leave. |
| Julie von Haefen, Deb Butler, and Sarah Crawford | HB 522 | 03/26/2025 | Crisis Pregnancy Center Fraud Prevention Act. |
| Julie von Haefen, Cynthia Ball, Lindsey Prather, and Rodney D. Pierce | HB 531 | 03/26/2025 | Addressing NC’s Teacher Crisis/NTSP. |
| Julie von Haefen, Aisha O. Dew, Deb Butler, and Julia Greenfield | HB 509 | 03/25/2025 | Right to Reproductive Freedom Act. |
| Julie von Haefen, Allison A. Dahle, Gloristine Brown, and Mary Belk | HB 510 | 03/25/2025 | Menstrual Equity for All Act. |
| Julie von Haefen, Carla D. Cunningham, Lindsey Prather, and Renée A. Price | HB 500 | 03/24/2025 | NC Adopt ERA. |
| Julie von Haefen, Allen Buansi, Julia Greenfield, and Mike Colvin | HB 456 | 03/19/2025 | No Surprises for Ambulance Services Act. |
| Julie von Haefen, Amos L. Quick, III, Cynthia Ball, and Lindsey Prather | HB 445 | 03/18/2025 | Fairness & Transparency in Education Salaries. |
| Julie von Haefen, Cynthia Ball, Lindsey Prather, and Zack Hawkins | HB 420 | 03/17/2025 | Sound Basic Education for Every Child. |
| Julie von Haefen, Deb Butler, James Roberson, and Pricey Harrison | HB 423 | 03/17/2025 | Skip the Stuff Act. |
| Julie von Haefen, Carolyn G. Logan, Nasif Majeed, and Tracy Clark | HB 366 | 03/11/2025 | Reenact & Expand Pistol Purchase Permit. |
| Julie von Haefen, Abe Jones, Charles Smith, and Monika Johnson-Hostler | HB 367 | 03/11/2025 | Provide Rape Kit Status Updates to Victims. |
| Julie von Haefen, Kanika Brown, Pricey Harrison, and Zack Hawkins | HB 344 | 03/10/2025 | Litter Reduction Act of 2025. |
| Julie von Haefen, Garland E. Pierce, Rodney D. Pierce, and Sarah Crawford | HB 179 | 02/24/2025 | Labor Org. Membership Dues Tax Deductible. |
