NC H521

Requires all North Carolina employers to provide paid sick leave, accruing at 1 hour per 30 hours worked, with annual caps of 32 hours for small businesses (10 or fewer employees) and 56 hours for larger employers

Employees may use paid sick time for their own illness, caring for an immediate family member's illness, routine medical appointments, or addressing domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking situations

Employers may require medical certification only for absences exceeding 3 consecutive workdays, and health information must be kept confidential

Prohibits employer retaliation against employees who request or use paid sick time, with enforcement by the Commissioner of Labor and civil remedies including unpaid wages, liquidated damages, and attorneys' fees

Becomes effective January 1, 2026, with delayed application for employees covered by existing collective bargaining agreements until those agreements expire or are modified