NC S781

Establishes the Board of Review (BOR) as an independent entity within the Division of Employment Security with authority to hear unemployment insurance appeals and develop policies and procedures for appeals operations.

Requires BOR staff to report to the BOR chair rather than the Department of Commerce, ensuring independence from the Governor, General Assembly, Department, and Division in accordance with U.S. Department of Labor guidance.

Mandates the Department of Commerce transfer at least two attorney and four administrative staff positions to BOR control and allocate a minimum of $415,000 for the 2016-2017 fiscal year to support BOR operations.

Requires BOR to track data on court reversals of BOR determinations, staff attorney referrals, case remands, and deviations between staff attorney recommendations and BOR decisions to support continuous improvement.

Effective July 1, 2016, with BOR required to adopt appeals policies and procedures by October 1, 2016 and begin data tracking by November 1, 2016.