S153 - North Carolina Border Protection Act. (SL 2026-19)

• Cease providing State-funded benefits and publicly funded housing benefits to noncitizens residing in the United State without legal permission to the extent permitted by federal law. "State-funded benefits" are defined to include various programs administered by DHHS or through a contract with DHHS. The term excludes benefits or services available under the listed programs that help eligible beneficiaries access food or meals.
• Develop a plan, to the extent permitted by federal law, to update and review eligibility criteria for all State-funded benefits and publicly funded housing benefits to ensure noncitizens residing the United States without legal permission are ineligible to receive those benefits.
• Report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services and the Fiscal Research Division on the steps taken to cease providing benefits and the details of the developed and implemented plan, including all federal statutes or regulations prohibiting denial of benefits, by January 15, 2026.

This bill was vetoed by the Governor on June 20, 2025, and that veto was overridden by the General Assembly on June 24, 2026. This Part became effective June 24, 2026.