Bill > H597

This bill, the NC Paid Family Leave Insurance Act, establishes a new paid family and medical leave insurance program in North Carolina. The key provisions include: - Creating a new Chapter 96A in the General Statutes to provide for paid family and medical leave insurance benefits, including defining eligibility criteria, the duration and amount of benefits, contribution requirements, protections against retaliation, and administration of the program by the Division of Employment Security. - Requiring employers to provide written notice to employees about their rights under the law, and allowing self-employed individuals to elect coverage. - Establishing a Paid Family and Medical Leave Fund to finance the payment of benefits, with contribution rates set by the Assistant Secretary based on the fund's fiscal status. - Requiring the Division to implement the program, start accepting claims, and conduct public education campaigns about the new benefits. - Providing for appeals, enforcement, and confidentiality procedures related to the administration of the program. Overall, this bill aims to create a statewide paid family and medical leave insurance program in North Carolina to provide wage replacement benefits to eligible workers who need to take time off for family or medical reasons.