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Last Action

Ref to the Com on Appropriations, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House2025-04-08

Vote Breakdown

No floor votes recorded.

Plain Language Summary

This bill would provide North Carolina state employees, public school employees, and community college employees with up to 40 hours of paid bereavement leave when an immediate family member dies and 8 hours of paid leave when a colleague dies. The leave would be available immediately upon hire, usable within 180 days of death, and the state would appropriate $2 million annually to fund this benefit beginning July 1, 2025.

Arguments in Favor

• •Supporters argue this bill recognizes that employees need time to grieve and handle funeral arrangements without losing pay, reducing financial stress during difficult periods.
• •Advocates note that 40 hours of bereavement leave is a reasonable and compassionate standard that many private employers already offer, helping North Carolina remain competitive in recruiting and retaining quality employees across state agencies, schools, and universities.

Arguments Against

• •Opponents may argue that the $2 million annual cost ($4 million over the biennium) represents a significant budget commitment during other state priorities, and that the policy's broad applicability and unlimited uses could be subject to abuse despite documentation requirements.
• •Some may also question whether the 180-day window for using bereavement leave is practical or whether the leave should be structured differently, and whether existing sick leave policies already accommodate genuine bereavement needs.