A new bill filed by State Rep. Ya Liu in the North Carolina House seeks to increase access to child care by using state property and supporting related pilot programs, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 951 on April 10 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘SOS (State Owned Structures) Child Care Act.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, the bill aims to utilize state-owned property for child care facilities serving state employees, mandating child care or adult day care centers in future state property projects over $5 million unless delays or cost increases exceed specified thresholds. It establishes a pilot program engaging private commercial providers to create three state-employee child care centers on unused state property, emphasizing partnerships with educational institutions for apprenticeship programs. The bill allocates $5 million to establish these centers. Additionally, a $6 million pilot program funds third-shift child care grants for first responders, prioritizing unused county buildings. It includes feasibility studies for community and UNC system colleges to explore on-site child care facilities, appropriating $100,000 for each study. Lastly, it calls for a workgroup to assess and simplify licensure regulations for the physical structures of commercial child care centers, reporting findings by January 1, 2026. Sections 2(c), 2(d), 3(a), 4.1(b), and 4.2(b) take effect July 1, 2025.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Zack Hawkins proposed the most bills (47) 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.
Liu graduated from North Carolina Central University with a JD.
Liu, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 21st House district, replacing previous state representative Raymond Smith Jr..
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ya Liu, Beth Helfrich, Mike Colvin, and Zack Hawkins | HB 951 | 04/10/2025 | SOS (State Owned Structures) Child Care Act. |
| Ya Liu, Frank Iler, and Laura Budd | HB 993 | 04/10/2025 | HOA Organization and Reporting Act. |
| Ya Liu, Carolyn G. Logan, Julia Greenfield, and Julie von Haefen | HB 856 | 04/09/2025 | Clarify Deed Restrictions/Solar Collectors. |
| Ya Liu, Edward C. Goodwin, Jarrod Lowery, and Maria Cervania | HB 835 | 04/08/2025 | Learning AAPI Contributions in Schools. |
| Ya Liu, Edward C. Goodwin, and Maria Cervania | HB 704 | 04/02/2025 | Establish AAPI Heritage Commission. |
| Ya Liu, Allen Buansi, Amos L. Quick, III, and Cecil Brockman | HB 713 | 04/02/2025 | Universal Free Breakfast and Lunch. |
| Ya Liu, Brian Turner, Jordan Lopez, and Maria Cervania | HB 730 | 04/02/2025 | Comprehensive State Communications. |
| Ya Liu, Brenden H. Jones, Julia C. Howard, and Mitchell S. Setzer | HB 734 | 04/02/2025 | Modernize Debt Settlement Prohibition. |
| Ya Liu, Brian Biggs, Laura Budd, and Sarah Stevens | HB 431 | 03/18/2025 | Preventing Deed Fraud. |
| Ya Liu and Frank Iler | HB 444 | 03/18/2025 | Homeowners Association Reform Bill. |
| Ya Liu, Ray Pickett, Tricia Ann Cotham, and Zack Hawkins | HB 378 | 03/11/2025 | Leon’s Law (Dual Enrollment Info Parents). |
| Ya Liu, Matthew Winslow, Mike Schietzelt, and Robert T. Reives, II | HB 361 | 03/10/2025 | Funds to Fight Deed and Title Fraud. |
| Ya Liu, Jennifer Balkcom, John R. Bell, IV, and Julia C. Howard | HB 187 | 02/24/2025 | Credit Union Update. |
