A new bill filed by State Rep. Cairns seeks to update North Carolina’s accessibility signage to a dynamic symbol that better represents movement and recognition for individuals with disabilities, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 869 on April 9 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Dynamic Symbol of Access.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, the bill mandates the adoption of the dynamic symbol of access in North Carolina, replacing the international symbol of access in state buildings and parking areas for signs indicating accessibility for individuals with disabilities. This change aims for the symbol to convey a sense of movement and to be easily recognizable without secondary meanings. The Department of Administration is responsible for implementing this change, effective for signs installed or replaced from Jan. 1, 2026. Additionally, the dynamic symbol will be included on newly issued distinguishing license plates and removable windshield placards. Revisions to traffic sign regulations allow private property owners to use both the dynamic and international symbols for designating handicapped parking spaces, provided differences only exist in material or color. Finally, driver’s license tests will now require applicants to recognize both symbols.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Steve Tyson proposed the most bills (31) 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.
Cairns graduated from the University of Georgia with a BBA.
Cairns, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2023 to represent the state’s 13th House district, replacing previous state representative Patricia McElraft.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Celeste C. Cairns, Karl E. Gillespie, Phil Shepard, and Steve Tyson | HB 869 | 04/09/2025 | Dynamic Symbol of Access. |
| Celeste C. Cairns and Charles W. Miller | HB 887 | 04/09/2025 | Address Abandoned and Derelict Vessels. |
| Celeste C. Cairns, Carson Smith, Charles W. Miller, and Steve Tyson | HB 597 | 03/31/2025 | Adopt Osprey as State Raptor. |
| Celeste C. Cairns, Brenden H. Jones, Howard Penny, Jr., and William D. Brisson | HB 296 | 03/05/2025 | Corn Farmer Recovery Act – Phase I. |
| Celeste C. Cairns, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Charles W. Miller, and Donna McDowell White | HB 275 | 03/04/2025 | Failure to Yield Penalties. |
| Celeste C. Cairns, Brenden H. Jones, Kyle Hall, and Mike Clampitt | HB 276 | 03/04/2025 | Align Benefits for Firefighters with Cancer. |
| Celeste C. Cairns | HB 281 | 03/04/2025 | Restore Down-Zoning/Multiple Municipalities. |
| Celeste C. Cairns, Bill Ward, Carson Smith, and Charles W. Miller | HB 206 | 02/25/2025 | Mod. Gun Retrieval – DVOs/Juvenile 911 Calls. |
| Celeste C. Cairns, Matthew Winslow, and Steve Tyson | HB 159 | 02/21/2025 | Orphan Roads Maintenance Program Grant. |
| Celeste C. Cairns, Brian Biggs, Erin Paré, and Keith Kidwell | HB 4 | 01/29/2025 | Sam’s Law. |
| Celeste C. Cairns, Ben T. Moss, Jr., David Willis, and Keith Kidwell | HB 7 | 01/29/2025 | NC REACH Act. |
