The Overview
If you work for a North Carolina state agency, you now have access to expanded paid parental leave and bereavement leave under a new law that took effect Oct. 1. North Carolina's Public Workforce Modernization Act, Senate Bill 1041, became law when Gov. Josh Stein (D) signed it July 6.
In May 2025, North Carolina state agencies had about 14,029 vacancies among 71,426 positions, a vacancy rate of roughly 19.6 percent, or about one in five, WRAL reported. NC Newsline reported in March 2025 that North Carolina was seeking to improve state-employee hiring and retention amid double-digit vacancy rates.
What the Law Does
The law changes state-government hiring and employment rules, including expanded paid parental leave for state workers, according to WUNC, which interviewed state HR director Staci Meyer about the changes. North Carolina Health News reported that changes taking effect Oct. 1 under the law include expanded paid parental leave.
The law also sets up a longer-term review process for state workforce practices. The Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) faces a March 1, 2027, deadline for a separate action or report, and it must send its findings and recommendations to legislative committees and the Fiscal Research Division by Oct. 1, 2027.
Legislative Status
Sen. Kevin Corbin (R) was a lead sponsor of the bill, along with a sponsor listed in the record as Johnson. Cosponsors included Sen. Michael Lee (R), Sen. Ted Alexander (R), Sen. Danny Britt (R), Sen. Jim Burgin (R), Sen. Warren Daniel (R), and 12 others.
The Senate voted 42-0 on June 18 to pass the bill on second reading. The House passed it June 30, and the Senate concurred in House amendments July 1. When he signed the bill, Gov. Stein said: "North Carolina is the top state for workforce because we invest in …," according to a press release from his office.
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