Bill > H351

This bill establishes the Recovery-Friendly Workplace Program in North Carolina, designed to support employees struggling with substance use disorders and recovery. The program will be administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, which will contract with a professional organization experienced in recovery support and workplace engagement. Employers can participate at two levels: as participants or certified workplaces, with progressively more comprehensive requirements. Participants must submit a letter of intent, complete an orientation, create a workplace pledge, and notify employees, while certified workplaces must additionally complete a standardized assessment, establish improvement frameworks, and implement evidence-informed policies supporting employee recovery. The program will provide resources like training materials, advisors to assist employers, educational content about addiction and recovery, and model workplace policies. Employers must complete an annual review to maintain their status, and the program will publicly recognize certified workplaces. The bill appropriates $300,000 from the Opioid Settlement Fund for the 2025-2026 fiscal year to implement the program, with the goal of creating more supportive, inclusive work environments that help individuals in recovery maintain employment and wellness.

Budget and Finance

https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H351