NC S447

Increases North Carolina's minimum wage from $6.15 to $15.00 per hour in incremental steps: $8.80 (January 1, 2022), $10.35 (January 1, 2023), $12.00 (January 1, 2024), $13.50 (January 1, 2025), and $15.00 (January 1, 2026).

Implements automatic annual adjustments to the minimum wage beginning September 30, 2022, using the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) to account for increases in the cost of living, with adjusted rates published September 30 and effective January 1.

Increases tipped employee minimum wage allowance incrementally from current law to $5.00 (2022), $6.50 (2023), $8.00 (2024), and $9.50 (2025).

Eliminates the subminimum wage exemption for individuals with disabilities by removing regulatory authority to establish reduced wage rates for persons with impaired earning or productive capacity.

Repeals the exemption for domestic workers from minimum wage, overtime, and youth employment requirements, making domestic workers including babysitters and companions subject to the same wage protections as other employees.