NC H348

City councils without existing binding personnel policies, codes of conduct, or retaliation protections must adopt rules and regulations encouraging employees to report violations of federal, state, or city laws, fraud, misappropriation of government resources, activities endangering public health and safety, and gross mismanagement or waste of public funds.

City councils must establish binding policies prohibiting retaliation, discharge, threats, or discrimination against employees who report improper or unlawful activities regarding compensation or terms, conditions, and privileges of employment.

City employees must be able to report concerns to their immediate supervisor, department head, or other appropriate authority under the adopted policies.

Cities must publish notice to inform employees of their rights and responsibilities under these protections using methods consistent with G.S. 95-9 or other appropriate means.

The act becomes effective upon passage into law.