Sen. Murdock files bill in North Carolina Senate affirming contraception rights

A new bill filed by State Sen. Murdock seeks to affirm the fundamental liberty to use contraception in North Carolina, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 413 on March 24 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Right to Use Contraception.’

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

In essence, this bill, titled the “Right to Use Contraception Act,” amends Chapter 90 of the North Carolina General Statutes by adding a new article that affirms the right to use contraception to prevent pregnancy. It declares that the state has no legitimate governmental interest in limiting the freedom to use contraception. The bill emphasizes that the ability to use contraception is a fundamental liberty related to preventing pregnancy. The act takes effect immediately upon becoming law.

A related bill, HB 474, was also filed in the North Carolina House, introduced by Rep. Beth Helfrich (and three others) on March 20, 2025.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Murdock proposed the most bills (37) 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.

Murdock graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a BA.

Murdock, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2020 to represent the state’s 20th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Mickey Michaux.