Sen. Lowe files bill in North Carolina Senate to fund early childhood development

A new bill filed by Sen. Lowe seeks to establish a framework for funding early childhood development through an endowment managed by the Division of Child Development and Early Education, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 618 on March 25 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Lasting Economic and Academic Prosperity Act.’

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

In essence, this bill establishes the Lasting Economic and Academic Prosperity (LEAP) Act to provide a framework for funding early childhood development in North Carolina through an endowment program. Administered by the Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE), the program aims to improve educational and life outcomes, attract philanthropic funding, and offer state-match funding for needed initiatives. It mandates DCDEE to use investment income for early childhood programs and to manage funds with an independent investment manager. The LEAP Reserve is also created within the General Fund to facilitate funding transfers based on fundraising figures. The bill appropriates $450,000 for the 2025-26 fiscal year and $472,500 for the 2026-27 fiscal year, with plans for ongoing appropriation increases. Section 2 of this act is effective July 1, 2025, while the rest of the act takes effect upon becoming law.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Lisa Grafstein proposed the most bills (65) 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.

Lowe graduated from Bishop College in 1985 with a BA and again from Drew University School of Theology with a DMIN.

Lowe, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2015 to represent the state’s 32nd Senate district, replacing previous state senator Earline Parmon.