SB 582

Enacts GS 126-8.7, requiring the State Human Resources Commission (SHRXC) to adopt a policy providing for paid sabbatical leave (a period of paid leave for health improvement, skill-building, and personal enrichment of between four to six weeks) for long-term employees (career State employees who have been continuously employed in the same position for the immediate three years) that includes seven specified requirements, including: (1) that the long-term employee not have been granted a sabbatical leave in the prior three years; (2) that the employee on sabbatical agree to return to the same position at the end of the leave for a period of one year; (3) the employer must allow the employee to return to the same position at the end of their leave; and (4) that the employer continue to provide the employee benefits an amount equal to 70% of their salary during the leave. Specifies that the sabbatical leave is available without exhaustion of the employee’s sick and vacation leave, has no cash value upon termination from employment, and may not be used for calculating an employee’s retirement benefits. Requires an employee that fails to return to their position after sabbatical to repay one-half of the cost of all salary and benefits received during the leave, unless the employee’s failure to return is due to the employee’s death or disability. Instructs that GS 126-8.7 applies to all State employees, public school employees, and community college employees. Requires all State employers, local boards of education, and local community college boards of trustees to report information requested by SHRC on use of sabbatical leave, as specified. Requires SHRC to submit an annual report to the General Assembly by July 1 on the reported use and measurable outcomes of sabbatical leave, and any recommendations to improve program effectiveness and sustainability. Requires counties and cities to establish policies on sabbatical leave that, at a minimum, align with GS 126-8.7. Requires each local government entity to provide the SHRC any requested information on the use of sabbatical leave. Requires the SHRC to adopt the rules required by the act by no later than June 1, 2026, and for all State agencies, counties, and cities to comply with the requirements of the act by no later than July 1, 2026. Directs SHRC to submit the first report required by GS 126-8.7 by no later than July 1, 2027.