North Carolina to Repeal HB2 – Political Turmoil in the Tar Heel State Continues

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North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory

In North Carolina, as part of a compromise between the Charlotte City Council and North Carolina legislators and outgoing Governor Pat McCrory, Governor-elect Roy Cooper has announced that a special legislative session on Tuesday will result in controversial House Bill 2 being repealed.

On Monday, the Charlotte City Council voted to repeal a non-discrimination “bathroom ordinance” that required businesses to allow patrons to use the bathroom corresponding to their gender identity. The controversial ordinance was quickly addressed by a special session of the North Carolina General Assembly. The resulting bill, House Bill 2 (HB2), restricted North Carolinians to the bathroom corresponding to the specified gender on their birth certificates.

Further, HB2 in its current state shortens the statute of limitations for discrimination claims from 3 years to 1 year and prohibits cities and counties from setting minimum wage standards for private companies.

Following the passage of the bill, several prominent organizations boycotted North Carolina:

  • The NCAA announced that it would be moving several 2016-17 events outside of the state;
  • Paypal canceled the opening of a new facility; and
  • Bruce Springsteen, Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas, and several other prominent music artists canceled tour stops in the state.

The controversial piece of legislation was central to the North Carolina Gubernatorial Election and many experts feel it is responsible for Gov. McCrory’s loss to challenger Roy Cooper.