NC S648

Grants eight weeks (320 hours) of fully paid parental leave to eligible North Carolina state employees upon becoming a parent through birth, adoption, foster care, or legal placement of a child under age 18.

Applies to full-time employees in permanent, probationary, or time-limited positions who have been continuously employed by a state agency for at least 12 months before requesting leave.

Requires employees to provide at least 10 weeks' advance notice of intent to use parental leave unless good cause exists for delayed notice; part-time employees working at least half-time receive prorated leave.

Parental leave is in addition to other authorized leave, does not require exhaustion of sick or vacation time, and cannot be used for retirement purposes or converted to cash upon employment termination.

Applies to all state employees in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, including University of North Carolina and Council of State agencies, effective upon enactment.