NC H854

Lowers the minimum employee threshold for workers' compensation coverage from three employees to one employee for most private employments.

Removes the previous requirement that employees be engaged in activities involving the use or presence of radiation to qualify for workers' compensation coverage.

Establishes that corporate officers (president, vice president, secretary, treasurer), partners, LLC members/managers, and sole proprietors are deemed employees if one or more employees are regularly employed in the same business or establishment.

Allows corporate officers owning 10% or more of the corporation, partners, and sole proprietors to opt out of workers' compensation coverage by written agreement with their insurer or self-insurance fund, with this opt-out binding on surviving dependents and excluding their compensation from premium rate calculations.

Becomes effective upon enactment.