Rep. Ball files bill in North Carolina House to increase voucher school transparency

A new bill filed by State Rep. Cynthia Ball in the North Carolina House seeks to enhance oversight and reporting requirements for nonpublic schools participating in the Opportunity Scholarship program, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 816 on April 7 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Voucher School Transparency Act.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill, named the Voucher School Transparency Act, seeks to enhance accountability and reporting standards for nonpublic schools receiving Opportunity Scholarship funds in North Carolina. It mandates these schools to annually submit tuition and fees documentation, conduct criminal background checks for top decision-makers and teachers, and provide student progress reports to parents, including standardized test scores. Nonpublic schools must administer designated tests, report graduation and test performance data, and contract audits if scholarship grants exceed $100,000. Schools must also maintain facilities for in-person instruction, ensure compliance with specific safety protocols, and report disability accommodations within federal law limitations. The State Auditor is tasked with reviewing audits of at least three scholarship-receiving nonpublic schools annually, with findings due to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee by March 15 each year. The bill takes effect when it becomes law.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Lindsey Prather proposed the most bills (25) 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.

Ball graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with a BA and again from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Ball, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2017 to represent the state’s 49th House district, replacing previous state representative Gary Pendleton.