Rep. Cohn files bill in North Carolina House to establish individual freedoms

A new bill filed by State Rep. Bryan Cohn in the North Carolina House seeks to establish a set of civil liberties by amending the state’s General Statutes, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 503 on March 24 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, the bill, titled “Don’t Tread on Me: An Individual Freedoms Act,” aims to establish a set of civil liberties by amending the General Statutes of North Carolina. It outlines a Bill of Rights, emphasizing that fundamental rights are only subject to violation with a compelling state interest utilizing narrowly tailored means. Key protections include prohibiting warrantless surveillance and tracking, restricting agencies from requiring the disclosure of private medical and political information, and outlawing unlawful surveillance or use of health data. It ensures that reproductive health care and medical treatments are not denied based on ideology and that education remains fact-based with accurate historical and scientific information. The bill protects against government-imposed political ideology in education and workplaces, and it ensures employment and housing rights are just and merit-based, free from quotas or discrimination based on political beliefs or lawful personal behavior. The act takes effect immediately upon becoming law.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Robert T. Reives, II proposed the most bills (16) 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.

Cohn, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2025 to represent the state’s 32nd House district, replacing previous state representative Frank Sossamon.