North Carolina has a highly restrictive legislative landscape for transgender individuals. In 2023, the state passed multiple anti-trans laws targeting healthcare, sports, and education via veto overrides. In 2025, House Bill 805 added further restrictions, including redefining sex, limiting gender marker changes, and expanding lawsuits against providers.
2023 (Enacted via Veto Overrides on August 16, 2023):
- House Bill 808 (Session Law 2023-111): Prohibits initiation of gender-affirming care (hormone therapy, surgeries) for minors under 18
- Exceptions for those already receiving care as of August 1, 2023
- Does not affect mental health access
- House Bill 574: Bans transgender girls from girls' sports teams in K-12, higher education (UNC system, community colleges, private universities)
- Based on "biological sex" at birth
- Applies to 2023-24 school year
- Senate Bill 49 ("Don't Say LGBTQ+" Law): Restricts K-4 curriculum from covering gender identity, sexual activity, or sexuality
- Mandates parental review of materials and notification ("forced outing") if a student changes name/pronouns at school
- Requires reporting gender non-conformity
2025:
- House Bill 805: Originally for online exploitation protections, amended to include anti-trans provisions
- Excludes gender identity from state sex definitions
- Requires birth certificates to note original sex assigned at birth
- May ban gender marker changes at DMV starting January 1, 2026
- Authorizes civil lawsuits against providers for gender transition (10-year window)
- Ends hormone replacement therapy (HRT) access for incarcerated trans individuals
2023:
- 10 anti-trans bills tracked across healthcare, sports, performance, education categories
- 3 major bills enacted via veto override
2024:
- No specific anti-trans enactments detailed in sources
2025:
- HB 805 enacted via veto override (late July/early August 2025)
| Name |
Party |
Chamber |
Key Actions |
| Gov. Roy Cooper |
D |
Governor |
Vetoed 2023 bills (overridden) |
| Gov. Josh Stein |
D |
Governor |
Vetoed HB 805 (overridden) |
| Date |
Event |
| August 16, 2023 |
Veto overrides: HB 808, HB 574, SB 49 enacted |
| Late July/early August 2025 |
HB 805 enacted via veto override |
| January 1, 2026 |
Potential ban on gender marker changes at DMV (HB 805) |
- WHQR - NC Newest Anti-Trans Law
- NC Is Ready - 2023 Bills
- ACLU NC - Anti-Trans Legislation 2023
- ACLU NC - Anti-Trans Legislation
- Equality NC - Policy
- Trans Legislation Tracker 2023/NC
- NC Legislature - HB 808
- Southern Equality - SB 49
- Trans Legislation Tracker 2023 Passed
Last updated: 2026-04-02