North Carolina 2025 Session Status: In Committee Bipartisan · 34 D · 1 I · 1 R cosponsors

HB 499 — NC Paid Family Leave Insurance Act.

Last action — Passed 1st Reading

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced March 24, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the House.

Odds of enactment

Low chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Advancing 42% · moderate confidence

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 36 sponsors

    3 primary, 33 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 3 parties (34 D · 1 I · 1 R) — cross-party backing.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

330 added · 329 removed

Plain-language change summary

In the latest version of Bill HB 499, the definition of "person" has been expanded to include "legal representative" and "any organized group of persons." This change reflects a broader understanding of who can act on behalf of an employer and ensures that various entities are recognized in relation to employment laws. This matters because it clarifies the responsibilities and roles of different actors in the workplace, potentially affecting rights and obligations for employees and employers alike.

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GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA H.B.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2025 H 1 HOUSE BILL 499 Short Title:
499 Mar 24, 2025 SESSION 2025 HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK H D HOUSE BILL DRH50017-LR-113E Short Title:
Representative Budd.
Representatives Budd, Cohn, Charles Smith, and T.
Brown (Primary Sponsors).
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO ENACT THE NORTH CAROLINA PAID FAMILY LEAVE INSURANCE ACT.
Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House March 26, 2025 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO ENACT THE NORTH CAROLINA PAID FAMILY LEAVE INSURANCE ACT.
Effective January 1, 2026, the General Statutes are amended by adding a new Chapter to read:
Effective January1, 2026, the General Statutes are amended byadding a new Chapter to read:
– The Assistant Secretary of the Division of Employment Security.
– The Assistant Secretaryof the Division of Employment Security.
A member of the Armed Forces, including a member of the National Guard or Reserves, who is (i) undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy, (ii) otherwise in outpatient status, or (iii) is otherwise on the temporary disability retired list for a serious injury or illness that was incurred by the member in the line of duty on active duty in the Armed Forces or a serious injury or illness that existed before the beginning of the member's active duty and was aggravated by service in the line of duty on active duty in the Armed Forces;
A member of the Armed Forces, including a member of the National Guard or Reserves, who is (i) undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy, (ii) otherwise in outpatient status, or (iii) is otherwise on the temporary disability retired list for a serious injuryor illness that was incurred by the member in the line of duty on active duty in the Armed Forces or a serious injury or illness that existed before the beginning of the member's active duty and was aggravated by service in the line of duty on active duty in the Armed Forces;
A former member of the Armed Forces, including a former member of the National Guard or Reserves, who is undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, ortherapy foraseriousinjuryorillness thatwas incurred by the member in the line of duty on active duty in the Armed Forces *DRH50017-LR-113E* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 or a serious injury or illness that existed before the beginning of the member's active duty and was aggravated by service in the line of duty on active duty in the Armed Forces and manifested before or after the member was discharged or released from service.
A former member of the Armed Forces, including a former member of the National Guard or Reserves, who is undergoingmedical treatment, recuperation, ortherapyforaseriousinjuryorillness thatwas incurred *H499-v-1* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 by the member in the line of duty on active duty in the Armed Forces or a serious injury or illness that existed before the beginning of the member's active dutyand was aggravated byservice in the line of duty on active duty in the Armed Forces and manifested before or after the member was discharged or released from service.
(13) Retaliatory personnel action.
Page 2 House Bill 499-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (13) Retaliatory personnel action.
– Denial of any right guaranteed under this Chapter, including, but not limited to, any threat, discharge, suspension, Page 2 DRH50017-LR-113E General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 demotion, reduction of hours, any other adverse action against an employee for the exercise of any right guaranteed herein, or reporting or threatening to report an employee's suspected citizenship or immigration status or the suspected citizenship or immigration status of a family member of the employee to a federal, State, or local agency.
– Denial of any right guaranteed under this Chapter, including, but not limited to, any threat, discharge, suspension, demotion, reduction of hours, any other adverse action against an employee for the exercise of any right guaranteed herein, or reporting or threatening to report an employee's suspected citizenship or immigration status or the suspected citizenship or immigration status of a family member of the employee to a federal, State, or local agency.
(i) the portion of the covered individual's average weekly wage that is equal to or less than one hundred percent (100%) of the State average weekly wage shall be replaced at a rate of ninety percent (90%) and (ii) the portion of an employee's or self-employed individual's average weekly wage that is more than one DRH50017-LR-113E Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 hundred percent (100%) of the State average weekly wage shall be replaced at a rate of fifty percent (50%).
(i) the portion of the covered individual's average weekly wage that is equal to or less than one hundred percent (100%) of the State average weekly wage shall be replaced at a rate of ninety percent (90%) and (ii) the portion of an employee's or House Bill 499-First Edition Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 self-employed individual's average weekly wage that is more than one hundred percent (100%) of the State average weekly wage shall be replaced at a rate of fifty percent (50%).
(4) For purposes of this section, a covered individual's average weekly wage shall be the average weekly wage during the 12 months preceding submission of the application (or the average weekly wage during the time the covered individual worked, if it was less than 12 months).
(4) For purposes of this section, a covered individual's average weeklywage shall be the average weekly wage during the 12 months preceding submission of the application (or the average weekly wage during the time the covered individual worked, if it was less than 12 months).
96A-2(2)c., family and medical leave insurance benefits shallbereducedbytheamountofbenefitsorwagereplacementthatacoveredindividualreceives under the Workers' Compensation Law of this State, other than for partial disability under the State Workers' Compensation Law, or under other State or federal temporary or permanent disability benefits law.
96A-2(2)c., family and medical leave insurance benefits shallbereducedbytheamountofbenefitsorwagereplacementthat acoveredindividualreceives under the Workers' Compensation Law of this State, other than for partial disability under the State Workers' Compensation Law, or under other State or federal temporary or permanent disability benefits law.
(b) Beginning on January 1, 2026, for each employee, an employer shall remit to the Paid Family and Medical Leave Fund (Fund), established under G.S.
(b) Beginning on January1, 2026, for each employee, an employer shall remit to the Paid Family and Medical Leave Fund (Fund), established under G.S.
and (5) The amount by which the contribution rate shall be adjusted to ensure that the Fund shall maintain or achieve an annualized amount of not less than one hundred forty percent (140%) of the previous fiscal year's expenditure for family and medical leave insurance benefits paid and for the administration of the family and medical leave insurance program.
and (5) The amount by which the contribution rate shall be adjusted to ensure that the Fund shall maintain or achieve an annualized amount of not less than one hundred forty percent (140%) of the previous fiscal year's expenditure for familyand medical leave insurance benefits paid and for the administration of the family and medical leave insurance program.
The contribution rate adjustment, if any, made as the result of the Assistant Secretary's certification Page 4 DRH50017-LR-113E General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 and report under this subsection shall supersede the rate previously set forth and shall become effective on January 1 of the following calendar year.
The contribution rate Page 4 House Bill 499-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 adjustment, if any, made as the result of the Assistant Secretary's certification and report under this subsection shall supersede the rate previously set forth and shall become effective on January 1 of the following calendar year.
Family andmedical leaveinsurance benefits for intermittent or reduced leave schedules shall be prorated.
Familyand medical leaveinsurance benefits for intermittent or reduced leave schedules shall be prorated.
96A-8 proves to the satisfaction of the court that the act or omission which violated the section was in good faith and that the employer had reasonable grounds for believing that the act or omission was not a violation, DRH50017-LR-113E Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 the court may, in the discretion of the court, reduce the amount of the liability to the amount and interest determined under clauses (i) and (ii) of this subdivision, respectively.
96A-8 proves to the satisfaction of the court that the act or omission which violated the section was in good faith and that the employer had House Bill 499-First Edition Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 reasonable grounds for believing that the act or omission was not a violation, the court may, in the discretion of the court, reduce the amount of the liability to the amount and interest determined under clauses (i) and (ii) of this subdivision, respectively.
(e) The court in such an action shall, in addition to any judgment awarded to the plaintiff, allow a reasonable attorney's fee, reasonable expert witness fees, and other costs of the action to be paid by the defendant.
(e) The court in such an action shall, in addition to anyjudgment awarded to the plaintiff, allow a reasonable attorney's fee, reasonable expert witness fees, and other costs of the action to be paid by the defendant.
or has testifiedoris abouttotestify orhas assistedinanyinvestigation,hearing, orproceeding under this Chapter, at any time, including during the period in which the person receives family and medical leave insurance benefits under this Chapter;
or has testifiedoris abouttotestifyorhas assistedin anyinvestigation,hearing, orproceedingunder this Chapter, at any time, including during the period in which the person receives family and medical leave insurance benefits under this Chapter;
(d) Protections ofthis sectionshall apply to anyperson who mistakenly, but in goodfaith, alleges violations of this Chapter.
(d) Protections ofthis sectionshall applyto anyperson whomistakenly, but in goodfaith, alleges violations of this Chapter.
(2) An employer policy;
Page 6 House Bill 499-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (2) An employer policy;
or Page 6 DRH50017-LR-113E General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (3) Any law.
or (3) Any law.
Any agreement byanindividual to waive his orher rights under this Chapter is void as against public policy.
Anyagreement byan individualto waive his orher rights under this Chapter is void as against public policy.
Such notice shall include (i) the employee's right to family and medical leave insurance benefits under this Chapter and the terms under which it may be used, (ii) the amount of family and medical leave insurance benefits, (iii) the procedure for filing a claim for benefits, (iv) the right to job protection and benefits continuation under G.S.
Such notice shall include (i) the employee's right to family and medical leave insurance benefits under this Chapter and the terms under which it may be used, (ii) the amount of familyand medical leave insurance benefits, (iii) the procedure for filing a claim for benefits, (iv) the right to job protection and benefits continuation under G.S.
(a) A covered individual is disqualified from family and medical leave insurance benefits for one year if the individual is determined by the Assistant Secretary to have willfully made a false statement or misrepresentation regarding a material fact or willfully failed to report a material fact to obtain benefits under this Chapter.
(a) A covered individual is disqualified from familyand medical leave insurance benefits for one year if the individual is determined by the Assistant Secretary to have willfully made a false statement or misrepresentation regarding a material fact or willfully failed to report a material fact to obtain benefits under this Chapter.
(b) If family and medical leave insurance benefits are paid erroneously or as a result of willful misrepresentation, or if a claim for family and medical leave insurance benefits is rejected after benefits are paid, the Division may seek repayment of benefits from the recipient.
(b) If family and medical leave insurance benefits are paid erroneously or as a result of willful misrepresentation, or if a claim for familyand medical leave insurance benefits is rejected after benefits are paid, the Division may seek repayment of benefits from the recipient.
The DRH50017-LR-113E Page 7 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 Assistant Secretary shall exercise his or her discretion to waive, in whole or in part, the amount of any such payments where the recovery would be against equity and good conscience.
The House Bill 499-First Edition Page 7 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 Assistant Secretary shall exercise his or her discretion to waive, in whole or in part, the amount of any such payments where the recovery would be against equity and good conscience.
As a condition of election, the self-employed person must agree to supply any information concerning income that the Division deems necessary.
As a condition of election, the self-employed person must agree to supply anyinformation concerning income that the Division deems necessary.
By January 1, 2027, the Division shall start receiving claims from andpaying family andmedical leaveinsurancebenefits to covered individuals.
By January 1, 2027, the Division shall start receivingclaims from andpayingfamilyandmedical leaveinsurancebenefits to covered individuals.
(d) The Division shall use information sharing and integration technology to facilitate the disclosure of relevant information or records, so long as an individual consents to the disclosure as required under State law.
(d) The Division shall use information sharing and integration technologyto facilitate the disclosure of relevant information or records, so long as an individual consents to the disclosure as required under State law.
Page 8 DRH50017-LR-113E General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 "§ 96A-17.
Page 8 House Bill 499-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 "§ 96A-17.
DRH50017-LR-113E Page 9
House Bill 499-First Edition Page 9
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Action History

  1. Passed 1st Reading

  2. Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

  3. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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3 sponsors · 33 co-sponsors · 143 not signed on

Sponsors (3)

Co-sponsors (33)

Not signed on (143)

143 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 143 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

labor health-insurance
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 499?
HB 499 is sponsored by Rodney D. Pierce (Democratic), Garland E. Pierce (Democratic), Marcia Morey (Democratic), Nasif Majeed (U), Jordan Lopez (Democratic), Tim Longest (Democratic), Carolyn G. Logan (Democratic), Ya Liu (Democratic), Monika Johnson-Hostler (Democratic), Zack Hawkins (Democratic), Pricey Harrison (Democratic), Julia Greenfield (Democratic), Aisha O. Dew (Democratic), Allison A. Dahle (Democratic), Mike Colvin (Democratic), Becky Carney (Democratic), Deb Butler (Democratic), Allen Buansi (Democratic), Kanika Brown (Democratic), Gloristine Brown (Democratic), Mary Belk (Democratic), Cynthia Ball (Democratic), Amber M. Baker (Democratic), Vernetta Alston (Democratic), Eric Ager (Democratic), Terry M. Brown Jr. (Democratic), Bryan Cohn (Democratic), Laura Budd (Democratic), Brian Turner (Democratic), Phil Rubin (Democratic), James Roberson (Democratic), Amos L. Quick, III (Democratic), Lindsey Prather (Democratic), Julie von Haefen (Democratic), Charles Smith (Democratic), and Neal Jackson (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 499?
This bill is in committee in the House. Introduced March 24, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track HB 499?
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