House Bill 646 proposes a constitutional amendment to remove the existing exception in the North Carolina Constitution that allows involuntary servitude as punishment for crime. Under current language, slavery is prohibited, but involuntary servitude is permitted when imposed as punishment after a criminal conviction. The bill would rewrite Section 17 of Article I to state that slavery is forever prohibited and that involuntary servitude is forever prohibited, eliminating the punishment-for-crime exception.
The bill does not itself change criminal sentencing law or prison labor statutes directly; instead, it would place a constitutional amendment before voters at the November 3, 2026 statewide general election. If approved by a majority of voters, the amendment would become effective upon certification by the State Board of Elections and would be enrolled in the State’s permanent records. If rejected, it would have no effect. The ballot question would ask voters whether they support a constitutional amendment providing that slavery and involuntary servitude are forever prohibited.
Impact
If adopted, H646 would amend the North Carolina Constitution and remove the state constitutional language that currently permits involuntary servitude as a criminal punishment. This would strengthen the constitutional prohibition on slavery and involuntary servitude, potentially affecting how state law, correctional practices, and any statutes or policies involving compelled labor are interpreted in light of the new constitutional text. Because the measure is a constitutional amendment, it would supersede conflicting state constitutional language and could prompt future review of related laws and practices.
Sentiment
The available context suggests the bill is framed as a rights-protective, anti-slavery measure and is likely to receive generally favorable treatment among supporters of civil rights and criminal justice reform. The bill’s sponsors are Democrats, and the text is straightforward and declarative, indicating a clear policy objective rather than a broader regulatory overhaul. No committee transcript or vote record is available here, so there is no documented opposition or recorded floor sentiment in the provided materials.
Contention
The main point of contention is the removal of the exception for involuntary servitude as punishment for crime. Supporters would view that exception as an outdated constitutional carveout inconsistent with a complete ban on slavery and forced labor, while opponents may be concerned about unintended consequences for prison labor, correctional operations, or the administration of criminal sentences. Because the bill is a constitutional amendment, another possible point of debate is whether the change should be made through the constitution at all, rather than through ordinary legislation or policy reform.