GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
S 1
SENATE BILL 353
Short Title: The Second Chance Coding Act. (Public)
Sponsors: Senators Theodros, Blue, and Bradley (Primary Sponsors).
Referred to: Rules and Operations of the Senate
March 20, 2025
*S353 -v-1*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT TO REQUIRE THE DIVISION OF JUVENILE JUSTICE OF THE DEPARTMENT 2
OF PUBLIC SAFETY TO DEVELOP A PROGRAM TO PROVIDE DELINQUENT 3
JUVENILES COMMITTED TO YOUTH DEVELOPMENT CENTERS WITH AN 4
OPPORTUNITY TO DEVEL OP CODING, PROGRAMMI NG, AND OTHER 5
COMPUTER-RELATED SKILLS. 6
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 7
SECTION 1. Development. – The Division of Juvenile Justice of the Department of 8
Public Safety (Division), in consultation or collaboration with any other entity the Division 9
deems necessary to consult or collaborate with, shall develop a program to provide delinquent 10
juveniles committed to youth development centers with an opportunity to develop coding, 11
programming, and other computer-related skills to prepare them for job and career opportunities 12
upon their release, increase financial stability, and reduce the likelihood of recidivism. The 13
Division may contract with any entity it deems necessary to implement the program required 14
under this section. The program required under this section shall include all of the following: 15
(1) Specialized courses to teach coding, programming, and other 16
computer-related skills. 17
(2) Opportunities to earn industry-recognized certifications in coding, 18
programming, and other computer-related disciplines. 19
(3) Connections with mentors in the relevant fields, internship programs, and job 20
placement assistance to ensure a successful transition into the workforce. 21
SECTION 2. Implementation. – The Division shall implement the program required 22
by Section 1 of this act by no later than January 1, 2026. 23
SECTION 3. Report. – By October 1, 2025, the Division shall provide a report to 24
the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety and the Fiscal Research 25
Division detailing its progress in developing the program required by Section 1 of this act. 26
SECTION 4. Appropriation. – There is appropriated from the General Fund to the 27
Division the sum of two hundred fifty thousand dollars ($250,000) in recurring funds for the 28
2025-2026 fiscal year to be used for costs associated with developing and implementing the 29
program required by this act. 30
SECTION 5. Effective Date. – Section 4 of this act becomes effective July 1, 2025. 31
The remainder of this act is effective when it becomes law. 32