NC H5

Adds definition of "federal disaster declaration" and allows individuals unemployed due to federally declared disasters to waive the one-week waiting period for unemployment benefits and satisfy work search requirements without Division requirement.

Excludes paid time off (PTO) that was available but unused before separation from counting as remuneration for severance purposes, allowing workers to receive unemployment benefits while using accrued paid leave; effective July 1, 2017.

Reduces employer protest period for unemployment claims from 14 days to 10 days after mailing or delivery of notice of claim filing; effective October 1, 2017.

Changes surtax suspension date from August 1 to September 1 of the preceding calendar year when determining if the state's Unemployment Trust Fund account balance equals or exceeds $1 billion; effective July 1, 2017.

Restructures account transfer provisions for business acquisitions to clarify mandatory transfers, transfers by consent, transfers involving related parties, and prevents transfers designed solely to obtain lower contribution rates; effective July 1, 2017.