NC S853

Amends North Carolina labor law definitions to add "employment status," "enterprise," "intentional," and "willful" to clarify wage and hour protections.

Requires employers to notify employees in writing at hiring and upon material changes of wages, calculation basis, payment method/day/place, employer identification numbers, and employment status.

Establishes statutory damages up to $500 per employee per intentional violation and allows liquidated damages up to twice unpaid wages; extends statute of limitations to three years for willful violations.

Creates new wage lien provisions allowing employees to place liens on employer real and personal property located in North Carolina for unpaid wages and statutory penalties, with priority over other debts and mortgages.

Appropriates $100,000 to the Department of Labor for fiscal year 2022-2023 to enforce wage theft provisions; effective July 1, 2022.