State Rep. Kanika Brown has introduced a measure aimed at establishing alternative care placements for high-acuity youth, designed to improve options beyond emergency rooms and social services offices, according to the North Carolina State House.
The proposal, listed as HB 1201 and filed April 30 for the 2025 regular session, carries the short title: ‘Youth Placement Study.’
This summary reflects our review of the actual bill text and may clarify its intent and scope.
The legislation establishes a Temporary Placement Pilot Program within the Department of Health and Human Services to allow high-acuity youth—who otherwise require psychiatric residential care—to receive intensive wraparound supports in lower-level settings rather than hospitals or social services offices. The department must seek any required waivers, launch the program within six months of obtaining waivers and adopting temporary rules, and evaluate program outcomes and recommend possible reforms for licensure, approvals, legal liability, emergency admissions, and the return of youth from out-of-state settings. A report is due by Oct. 1, 2026. The bill provides $100,000 from the General Fund for fiscal year 2026-27, set to take effect July 1, 2026. Other provisions are effective once the act becomes law.
Brown introduced 37 additional bills in the House during the 2025 regular session.
Legislation in North Carolina undergoes a step-by-step process before becoming law. The process begins when a lawmaker files a bill. It is then assigned to a committee, must be read three times in each legislative chamber, and must pass both bodies in identical form if changes occur. Once both chambers approve the measure, the bill heads to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 days when the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or allow it to become law without signing.
More information about pending bills and related measures is available here.
Brown, a Democrat, began her North Carolina State House service in 2023 as representative for District 71, succeeding Evelyn Terry.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kanika Brown | HB 1201 | 04/30/2026 | Youth Placement Study. |
| Kanika Brown | HB 1170 | 04/30/2026 | Funding for Winston-Salem. |
| Kanika Brown | HB 1190 | 04/30/2026 | Mindset Advantage Pilot Program. |
| Kanika Brown | HB 1194 | 04/30/2026 | Winston-Salem/Forsyth Joint EOC Funds. |
| Kanika Brown | HB 1202 | 04/30/2026 | First Responder Training Track. |
| Kanika Brown | HB 1125 | 04/29/2026 | The Wakaboomee Program. |
| Kanika Brown | HB 1087 | 04/28/2026 | Smith Reynolds Airport Hangar Improvements. |
| Kanika Brown | HB 1088 | 04/28/2026 | Traffic Signal Preemption Software. |
| Kanika Brown, Deb Butler, Pricey Harrison, and Renée A. Price | HB 1047 | 04/27/2026 | North Carolina Microplastics Study Act. |
| Kanika Brown | HB 1048 | 04/27/2026 | Funding for HIV/AIDS Awareness Walk. |
| Kanika Brown | HB 1049 | 04/27/2026 | Funding for Shotgun House Museum. |
| Kanika Brown | HB 1050 | 04/27/2026 | Funding for Sex Ed Health Awareness. |
| Kanika Brown | HB 1051 | 04/27/2026 | Funding for Senior Care/Community Health. |
| Kanika Brown | HB 1052 | 04/27/2026 | Cure Violence Program Grant. |
| Kanika Brown, Allen Buansi, Lindsey Prather, and Tim Longest | HB 1059 | 04/27/2026 | Fair Minimum Wage Act. |
| Kanika Brown, Julia Greenfield, Marcia Morey, and Monika Johnson-Hostler | HB 1061 | 04/27/2026 | Plyler Educational Protections Act. |
| Kanika Brown, Ben T. Moss, Jr., Jarrod Lowery, and Pricey Harrison | HB 965 | 04/10/2025 | Environmental Rights Constitutional Amendment. |
| Kanika Brown and Amber M. Baker | HB 995 | 04/10/2025 | Shotgun House Funding Act. |
| Kanika Brown, Deb Butler, Pricey Harrison, and Renée A. Price | HB 871 | 04/09/2025 | North Carolina Microplastics Study Act. |
| Kanika Brown, Marcia Morey, Maria Cervania, and Renée A. Price | HB 885 | 04/09/2025 | Revise Suspension & Parental Notice Policies. |
| Kanika Brown, Aisha O. Dew, Deb Butler, and Pricey Harrison | HB 738 | 04/02/2025 | Restore Wetlands Protections. |
| Kanika Brown | HB 756 | 04/02/2025 | Funds for Harmony Empowerment Life Center. |
| Kanika Brown | HB 757 | 04/02/2025 | Funds for Joyful Soul Treasures. |
| Kanika Brown | HB 758 | 04/02/2025 | Funds for Mind and Heart Haven Project. |
| Kanika Brown | HB 759 | 04/02/2025 | Family and Community Wellness Act/Funds. |
| Kanika Brown, Carolyn G. Logan, Garland E. Pierce, and Renée A. Price | HB 662 | 04/01/2025 | Support the State Highway Patrol. |
| Kanika Brown, Jordan Lopez, Julia Greenfield, and Pricey Harrison | HB 621 | 03/31/2025 | Funds for the Umbrella Center. |
| Kanika Brown, Bryan Cohn, James Roberson, and Phil Rubin | HB 548 | 03/26/2025 | NC Economic Progress and Well-Being. |
| Kanika Brown, Howard Penny, Jr., and Renée A. Price | HB 457 | 03/19/2025 | Increase Small County Funding. |
| Kanika Brown, Carla D. Cunningham, Julia Greenfield, and Monika Johnson-Hostler | HB 452 | 03/18/2025 | Revise Law/Obstruction of Health Facility. |
| Kanika Brown and Amber M. Baker | HB 392 | 03/13/2025 | Funds/Forsyth United Way/Summer Learning. |
| Kanika Brown and Amber M. Baker | HB 393 | 03/13/2025 | Funds for One Love Festival. |
| Kanika Brown, Amos L. Quick, III, Becky Carney, and Carla D. Cunningham | HB 398 | 03/13/2025 | Enact KinCare & Safe Days. |
| Kanika Brown, Aisha O. Dew, Bryan Cohn, and Carolyn G. Logan | HB 374 | 03/11/2025 | NCARCOG Funding/Operations Improvements. |
| Kanika Brown, Julie von Haefen, Pricey Harrison, and Zack Hawkins | HB 344 | 03/10/2025 | Litter Reduction Act of 2025. |
| Kanika Brown, Marcia Morey, Maria Cervania, and Pricey Harrison | HB 345 | 03/10/2025 | Rights of Nature/Certain River Basins. |
| Kanika Brown, Bryan Cohn, Carolyn G. Logan, and Sarah Crawford | HB 269 | 03/03/2025 | Workforce Freedom and Protection Act. |
| Kanika Brown, Bryan Cohn, Sarah Crawford, and Tracy Clark | HB 115 | 02/12/2025 | Child Care Facility Tax Exemption. |
