Sen. Kennedy files bill in North Carolina Senate barring Jan. 6 insurrection participants from state jobs

A new bill filed by Sen. Kennedy seeks to disqualify individuals involved in the Jan. 6 insurrection from employment across all branches and contractors of North Carolina’s state government, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 646 on March 25 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Make NC Insurrection-Free.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill establishes that individuals who participated in the January 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol are ineligible for employment with the state of North Carolina. The bill defines covered offenses that disqualify individuals, including federal offenses related to insurrection, rebellion, domestic terrorism, and specific Capitol grounds violations or similar state law offenses. It applies restrictions to all state employees across executive, legislative, and judicial branches and includes contractors with the state. Employment eligibility restrictions will affect hires beginning July 1, 2025, and would apply to current employees upon discovery of violations. Procedural requirements include written notices of ineligibility, evidence disclosure, response opportunities, a possible hearing, and the allowance for judicial review. The act’s effective date is July 1, 2025.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Terence Everitt proposed the most bills (50) 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.

Garrett graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 2007 with a BSBA.

Garrett, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State Senate in 2019 to represent the state’s 27th Senate district, replacing previous state senator Trudy Wade.