NC H996

Grants permanent, probationary, and time-limited full-time state employees up to three consecutive workdays of paid bereavement leave upon death of an immediate family member (spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, or their step, half, and in-law equivalents).

Requires part-time state employees to receive a prorated amount of paid bereavement leave on an equitable basis.

Makes bereavement leave separate from and in addition to sick leave, vacation leave, and other authorized leave; bereavement leave has no cash value upon termination and cannot be used to calculate retirement benefits.

Applies to state agencies, departments, institutions (including UNC), public school employees, and community college employees, with each governing board adopting substantially equivalent policies.

Appropriates $2,000,000 from the General Fund for fiscal year 2024-2025 and makes the act effective July 1, 2024, for deaths occurring on or after that date.