Issue Briefs – 2007 Legislative Session

Our Issue Briefs are designed to give you a quick overview of a specific issue, often one that is tied to a particular piece of legislation or proposed government action. Issue briefs are thoroughly researched and usually written by our government relations staff with input from research experts. We are beginning this feature on our website in April 2007, so prior issue briefs may not be listed. Check out our most recent issue briefs listed below by date published or select the subject category to the left that you would like to examine. Clicking on the title of the issue brief will initiate the process of downloading the issue brief in the PDF format. For more indepth analysis on numerous issues, visit the policy papers section of this website.

Why North Carolina Needs a State Marriage Amendment
On May 17, 2004, the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ordered that Massachusetts must issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. This action set off a firestorm across the country. During the last two election cycles, voters in 18 states have approved amendments to their state constitutions defining marriage as the union of one man and one woman. A total of 27 states now have marriage amendments, including all the states in the Southeastern U.S. except Florida and North Carolina. May 18, 2007.

Bullying Bill Would Give Special Status to “Alternative” Sexual Behaviors
While proposing to outlaw bullying and harassment in public schools, a section of House Bill 1366 would grant a specially protected status to students on the basis of their actual or perceived “sexual orientation” or “gender identity or expression.” Removing this controversial section from the bill will fully preserve the intent and effect of HB 1366 and provide ALL students equal protection from bullying and harassment. May 16, 2007.

Abstinence Education Works
Since the federal government began distributing funds to states for abstinence education, the 15-year-long national movement toward teaching abstinence education has coincided with some impressive trends. May 4, 2007.

Comprehensive Sex Education Would Put Adolescents & Teens At Risk
Existing state law requires public schools to teach "that abstinence from sexual activity outside of marriage is the expected standard for all school age children." House Bill 879 and Senate Bill 1182 would eliminate abstinence until marriage as the primary focus and replace it with requirements that would promote condoms and contraceptives, affirm "alternative" sexual activity, eliminate local control, and forfeit over $1.2 million in federal abstinence education funds. April 4, 2007.

Nondiscrimination Bill Would Affirm "Alternative" Sexual Behaviors
By proposing to add "sexual orientation" to the classifications protected under the State's Equal Employment Opportunity law, Senate Bill 1534 would grant special legal protections to individuals based on their involvement in "alternative" sexual behaviors and would create inequity in state hiring and employment. April 4, 2007.

Abolishing Torts Would Expose Marriages to Interference and Adultery
Abolishing the civil actions of Alienation of Affection & Criminal Conversation would eliminate the only practical legal consequences for a third party who—with wrongful and malicious intent—breaks up a marriage and/or commits adultery with another's husband or wife. March 19, 2007.