North Carolina SB 912: Menopause Omnibus.

Bill Text

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
S 1
SENATE BILL 912

Short Title: Menopause Omnibus. (Public)
Sponsors: Senators Murdock and Smith (Primary Sponsors).
Referred to: Rules and Operations of the Senate
April 30, 2026
*S912-v-1*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT SUPPORTING THE ADVANCEMENT OF MENOPAUSE RESEARCH AND 2
CONTINUING MEDICAL EDUCATION REGARDING MENOPAUSE AND 3
MENOPAUSE-RELATED CARE; REQUIRING MEDICAID AND HEALTH 4
INSURANCE COVERAGE OF MENOPAUSE-RELATED CARE; ENACTING 5
PROTECTIONS AGAINST EMPLOYMENT DISCRIMINATION ON ACCOUNT OF 6
MENOPAUSE; AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR IMPLEMENTATION. 7
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 8
9
PART I. ADVANCEMENT OF MENOPAUSE RESEARCH 10
SECTION 1.1.(a) Definitions. – The following definitions apply in this Part: 11
(1) Menopause. – The point in time defined as 12 consecutive months after the 12
last menstrual period. 13
(2) Menopause-related care. – Medical, behavioral health, and supportive 14
services addressing symptoms associated with perimenopause, menopause, 15
and postmenopause, including, but not limited to, hormonal and 16
non-hormonal treatments. 17
(3) Perimenopause. – The transitional period during which the body experiences 18
a natural decline in reproductive hormones, resulting in the end of menstrual 19
cycles. This transition typically lasts four to eight years but may last longer 20
than a decade. 21
(4) Postmenopause. – The life stage following menopause. 22
SECTION 1.1.(b) Comprehensive Evaluation of Current Research. – The 23
Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) shall conduct a comprehensive evaluation 24
of the current state of research regarding menopause-related care. In conducting this evaluation, 25
the DHHS shall determine and analyze at least all of the following: 26
(1) Existing gaps in scientific knowledge and understanding regarding the 27
etiology, symptomatology, and clinical management of perimenopause, 28
menopause, and postmenopause. 29
(2) Clinical and other barriers to the timely diagnosis and effective treatment of 30
menopause. 31
(3) Current availability, safety, and clinical efficacy of existing pharmacological 32
and non-pharmacological therapies for menopause. 33
(4) The extent and adequacy of peer-reviewed research specifically focused on 34
individuals undergoing the menopausal transition. 35

General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 2 Senate Bill 912-First Edition
(5) Existing gaps in the curricula and continuing medical education of healthcare 1
providers concerning menopause management and patient care. 2
(6) Analysis of the disproportionate physical, mental, and socioeconomic impacts 3
of perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause on underserved and 4
vulnerable populations, including the following: 5
a. Black women. 6
b. Individuals who identify as LGBTQ+. 7
c. Neurodivergent individuals. 8
d. Individuals of lower socioeconomic status. 9
e. Incarcerated individuals. 10
SECTION 1.1.(c) Data Collection. – The DHHS shall collect data on the percentage 11
of North Carolinians experiencing menopause-related symptoms across the following five 12
decennial age groups: 13
(1) Ages 20-29. 14
(2) Ages 30-39. 15
(3) Ages 40-49. 16
(4) Ages 50-59. 17
(5) Ages 60-69. 18
SECTION 1.1.(d) Statewide Strategic Plan. – The DHHS shall develop a statewide 19
strategic plan based on the evaluation conducted pursuant to subsection (b) of this section and 20
the data collected pursuant to subsection (c) of this section to accomplish all of the following: 21
(1) To address identified gaps in scientific knowledge and understanding 22
regarding the etiology, symptomatology, and clinical management of 23
perimenopause, menopause, and postmenopause. 24
(2) To promote equitable access to menopause-related care. 25
(3) To identify priorities for future clinical and public health research specifically 26
focused on the transition from perimenopause through postmenopause. 27
SECTION 1.1.(e) Reporting Requirement. – By December 1, 2027, the DHHS shall 28
submit a report of its activities under this section to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee 29
on Health and Human Services and the Fiscal Research Division. The report shall include at least 30
all of the following: 31
(1) The findings and recommendations of the comprehensive evaluation 32
conducted pursuant to subsection (b) of this section. 33
(2) The data collected pursuant to subsection (c) of this section. 34
(3) The statewide strategic plan developed pursuant to subsection (d) of this 35
section. 36
SECTION 1.1.(f) Appropriations. – There is appropriated from the General Fund to 37
the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health, the sum of five million 38
dollars ($5,000,000) in nonrecurring funds for the 2026-2027 fiscal year to be allocated and used 39
as follows: 40
(1) To complete the comprehensive evaluation, data collection, strategic 41
planning, and reporting required by this section. 42
(2) To design, coordin