North Carolina would fund support for military sexual trauma survivors

The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs would partner with the Department of Health and Human Services to run the pilot, including a confidential, 24-hour reporting hotline. Covered people would include active duty members stationed in North Carolina, Armed Forces reservists including the North Carolina National Guard, veterans, and military spouses and dependents. Military sexual trauma means sexual assault or repeated threatening sexual harassment during military service. The program would also offer legal referrals and help people connect with federal services. Peer volunteers would receive training in trauma-informed care, military culture, and confidentiality laws. The bill proposes a July 1, 2026, effective date. An interim program report would be due by March 1, 2027, and a final evaluation by March 1, 2028.

A 14-member commission would study military sexual trauma and recommend possible legislative action. The study would examine reporting barriers, access to support, and coordination between military and civilian systems. It would also examine effects on military families and challenges for reservists. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs would provide staff and other support. The commission would begin under the proposed July 1, 2026, effective date and end when it submits its final report.

The North Carolina National Guard would provide confidential reporting channels, and the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs would coordinate military sexual trauma data. The department would combine anonymous data, track use of support services, and identify trends among active duty and reserve members. The National Guard would remove all identifying information before sending reports to the department. The department's data work would be limited by its access to federal investigative records. Under the proposed July 1, 2026, effective date, the Guard would send reports annually, and the department would publish findings annually on its website.

North Carolina would set aside $3 million each year from its General Fund for the commission and pilot program. The Department of Military and Veterans Affairs would receive $1 million annually. The Department of Health and Human Services would receive $2 million annually. The money would be used to carry out the study commission and support pilot program. Annual funding would begin in the 2026–2027 fiscal year. The bill proposes a July 1, 2026, effective date.