A new bill filed by State Rep. Deb Butler in the North Carolina House seeks to expand protections under domestic violence laws to cover same-sex couples, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 501 on March 24 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Modernize Domestic Violence Protection Order.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill aims to modernize domestic violence protective orders by ensuring that they are available for same-sex couples. It amends the definition of “personal relationship” under North Carolina law, which currently includes categories such as current or former spouses, individuals of the opposite sex living together, and persons in a dating relationship. The bill removes the restriction that limits domestic violence protective orders to opposite-sex couples, thereby extending protection to same-sex couples as well. This act becomes effective upon becoming law and will apply to domestic violence protective orders issued from that date forward.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Marcia Morey proposed the most bills (22) 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.
Butler graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville in 1983 with a BA and again in 1986 from Wake Forest University School of Law with a JD.
Butler, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2017 to represent the state’s 18th House district, replacing previous state representative Susi Hamilton.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deb Butler, Allison A. Dahle, Marcia Morey, and Monika Johnson-Hostler | HB 501 | 03/24/2025 | Modernize Domestic Violence Protection Order. |
| Deb Butler, Marcia Morey, Pricey Harrison, and Renée A. Price | HB 458 | 03/19/2025 | Improve Enforcement/Migrant Housing. |
| Deb Butler, Julia Greenfield, Laura Budd, and Pricey Harrison | HB 459 | 03/19/2025 | Income Tax Rate Reduction Trigger Mods. |
| Deb Butler, James Roberson, Julie von Haefen, and Pricey Harrison | HB 423 | 03/17/2025 | Skip the Stuff Act. |
| Deb Butler, Marcia Morey, Maria Cervania, and Renée A. Price | HB 303 | 03/05/2025 | Make Corporations Pay What They Owe. |
| Deb Butler, Frances Jackson, PhD, James Roberson, and Mary Belk | HB 282 | 03/04/2025 | STI Funding/Bicycle/Pedestrian Improv. |
| Deb Butler, Marcia Morey, Pricey Harrison, and Renée A. Price | HB 207 | 02/25/2025 | Remove Barriers to Labor Organizing. |
| Deb Butler, Marcia Morey, Pricey Harrison, and Renée A. Price | HB 178 | 02/24/2025 | Budgeting Accountability and Transparency. |
| Deb Butler, Marcia Morey, Pricey Harrison, and Renée A. Price | HB 180 | 02/24/2025 | Fiscally Responsible & Sustainable Budgeting. |
| Deb Butler, Jordan Lopez, Mary Belk, and Phil Rubin | HB 174 | 02/21/2025 | Marriage Equality Act. |
| Deb Butler, Jordan Lopez, Mary Belk, and Phil Rubin | HB 175 | 02/21/2025 | Const. Amend./Marriage Equality. |
| Deb Butler, Maria Cervania, Pricey Harrison, and Renée A. Price | HB 78 | 02/10/2025 | Prohibit LEO w/ICE Churches/Schools/Hospitals. |
| Deb Butler, Maria Cervania, Pricey Harrison, and Renée A. Price | HB 80 | 02/10/2025 | Prohibit LEO w/ICE at Farm/Construct. Sites. |
| Deb Butler, Carolyn G. Logan, Diane Wheatley, and Nasif Majeed | HB 90 | 02/10/2025 | State & Local Gov’t Retirees COLA. |
