NC H389

Creates "Safe Workplace Act" establishing confidential reporting and investigation process for sexual harassment and improper workplace behavior in the North Carolina General Assembly, applying to legislators, employees, volunteers, and pages at the legislature and legislature-sponsored events.

Requires Legislative Services Commission and Legislative Ethics Committee to jointly develop and adopt "zero tolerance" policies by December 31, 2023, including mandatory annual ethics training for all legislators and employees focusing on identification and prevention of sexual harassment, abuse, misconduct, and discrimination.

Establishes three-tier reporting process: individuals report to Human Resources Office head, independent third party, or designated leaders; informal resolution attempted first; unresolved complaints referred to independent third party for confidential investigation with protections against retaliation.

Specifies sanctions ranging from warning and reprimand to termination for non-legislators, and warning, reprimand, reassignment, or expulsion for legislators; provides right to appeal resolution decisions to presiding officer within 10 days with decision rendered within 45 days.

Appropriates $250,000 for fiscal years 2023-2024 and 2024-2025, with $50,000 for training materials and $200,000 for independent third-party contractual services; effective July 1, 2023.