Rep. Brown files bill in North Carolina House to fund Family Justice Center

A new bill filed by State Rep. Kanika Brown in the North Carolina House seeks to provide financial support to enhance services for victims at the Family Justice Center, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 621 on March 31 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Funds for the Umbrella Center.’

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

In essence, this bill allocates $1.5 million in nonrecurring funds from the General Fund to the Office of State Budget and Management for the 2025-26 fiscal year to support Safe Alliance, Inc.’s Family Justice Center, known as the Umbrella Center, in Charlotte. The grant aims to provide additional services to those affected by domestic violence, sexual assault, child abuse, elder abuse, and human trafficking. The funds are designated for land acquisition and the addition of a deceleration lane to enhance accessibility. The act becomes effective July 1, 2025.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Pricey Harrison proposed the most bills (32) 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.

Brown, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 71st House district, replacing previous state representative Evelyn Terry.