Bill > S299

This bill aims to strengthen government transparency by modifying personnel record requirements across various state, local, and public entities in North Carolina. The bill requires state agencies, local boards of education, community colleges, public health authorities, public hospitals, counties, municipalities, and water and sewer authorities to maintain more comprehensive and detailed employee records that are open to public inspection. Specifically, agencies must now document and provide general descriptions for a broader range of employment actions, including promotions, demotions, transfers, suspensions, separations, and dismissals. The bill includes important privacy protections by prohibiting the disclosure of confidential information protected by laws like HIPAA and the ADA. Additionally, the general descriptions of employment actions will only become part of the public record after any applicable administrative appeal processes are completed, and if a description involves information that cannot be legally disclosed, it will be listed generically as "description of action prohibited by applicable law." By December 30, 2025, all affected employers must adopt personnel policies allowing employees to challenge the wording of these general descriptions, with the changes taking effect for employment actions occurring on or after December 1, 2025.

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https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S299