Rep. Balkcom files bill in North Carolina House on vaccine exemption for students

A new bill filed by State Rep. Balkcom seeks to permit students to attend schools without immunization certificates if they submit a written statement of religious or conscience objections, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 380 on March 12 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Conscientious Objections to Vaccine Mandates.’

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

In essence, the bill provides for a conscientious objection exemption to North Carolina’s student vaccination requirements, allowing students to attend schools, colleges, and universities without presenting a certificate of immunization if they or their parents submit a written statement of bona fide religious beliefs or reasons of conscience opposing immunization. Schools and childcare facilities must annually report the number of children with exemptions to the Department. This act becomes effective when it becomes law and applies to public schools and higher education institutions beginning with the 2026-27 academic year.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Mitchell S. Setzer proposed the most bills (17) 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.

Balkcom graduated from Blue Ridge Community College in 2016 with an AA.

Balkcom, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 117th House district, replacing previous state representative Timothy Moffitt.