NC S576

Establishes the Fair Competition and Employee Classification Act, creating a legal standard for independent contractor classification requiring three conditions: freedom from employer control, work outside the employer's usual business, and customary engagement in an independent trade.

Requires employers to post notices in English and Spanish at job sites and offices informing workers of their right to proper classification and ability to challenge misclassification in civil court.

Prohibits employer misclassification of employees as independent contractors, including forming shell entities to evade detection, requiring workers to sign misclassifying agreements, and knowingly assisting others in violating the law.

Imposes civil penalties between $500 and $4,000 per violation, authorizes stop work orders by enforcement agencies for notice violations, and debars repeat violators from state and local government contracts for four years.

Prohibits retaliation against workers exercising rights under the act, with a 90-day rebuttable presumption of retaliatory intent if adverse action follows, and requires inter-agency cooperation and information sharing among labor, revenue, and industrial commission agencies.