Sen. Murdock files bill in North Carolina Senate to establish statewide FASD program

A new bill filed by State Sen. Natalie S. Murdock in the North Carolina Senate seeks to establish a comprehensive program aimed at preventing alcohol-exposed pregnancies and supporting affected individuals, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 460 on March 24 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Program.’

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

In essence, this bill mandates the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services to establish a statewide Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) program aimed at preventing alcohol-exposed pregnancies, increasing awareness, and providing evidence-based interventions for those diagnosed with FASD. It calls for an FASD Program Coordinator to oversee the initiative, which will adapt existing federal and state programs, expand diagnostic capacities, and offer training for professionals. Additionally, the bill establishes a 17-member FASD Advisory Committee to guide program implementation and strategic planning, featuring members from various state departments and public appointees. The act appropriates $2 million from the General Fund for the 2025-27 biennium, effective July 1, 2025, to finance the program and advisory committee operations.

Of the two sponsors of this bill, Lisa Grafstein proposed the most bills (45) 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.