Senate Bill 463 Summary

• Expands family and medical leave protections to include care for siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, stepparents, and parents-in-law, mirroring federal FMLA benefits that currently cover only spouses, children, and parents.

• Applies to all North Carolina employers subject to the federal Family and Medical Leave Act, requiring them to provide the same leave amounts, conditions, and protections for these additional family relationships.

• Grants employees entitled to take such leave the same legal protections as under federal FMLA, including anti-discrimination protections, reinstatement rights, and continuation of health care benefits.

• Makes violations enforceable through civil action and adds Article 24 of Chapter 95 to the list of labor laws under which employers cannot retaliate against employees for filing complaints or providing information.

• Becomes effective July 1, 2017.