Sen. Kennedy files bill in North Carolina Senate to protect individual freedoms

A new bill filed by Sen. Kennedy seeks to establish fundamental rights protecting individual privacy and freedoms in North Carolina, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The bill, filed as SB 482 on March 25 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Don’t Tread on Me Act.’

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

In essence, this bill, titled the “Don’t Tread on Me: An Individual Freedoms Act,” seeks to establish a set of fundamental rights aimed at protecting individual privacy and freedoms in North Carolina. It prohibits warrantless surveillance, data collection, and the requirement for individuals to disclose personal medical, religious, or political information to access government benefits, services, or employment. State agencies are restricted from denying reproductive healthcare based on ideology, overriding parental authority without due process, and interfering with fact-based education. The bill also prevents the state from compelling affirmations of political ideologies in education and workplaces, denying employment, housing, or public services based on personal beliefs, and interfering with fair, merit-based employment and housing rights. The act is effective upon becoming law.

A related bill, HB 503, was also filed in the North Carolina House, introduced by Rep. Robert T. Reives, II (and three others) on March 24, 2025.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Woodson Bradley proposed the most bills (60) 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.