House committee substitute to the 1st edition makes the following changes.
Reorganizes the existing provisions under Part I and adds the following content. Makes conforming changes to the act’s titles.
Part II.
Enacts GS 58-3-25(d) to prohibit an insurer from refusing to insure or to continue to insure, limiting coverage to, charging an individual a different amount for the same insurance coverage, or otherwise discriminating against an individual based solely, and without any additional actuarial risks, on the status of an individual as a living organ donor in the insurer’s issuance, cancellation, price, or conditions of a policy or the amount of coverage provided. Specifies that the protection applies to health benefit plans and life, accident and health, disability, disability income, and long-term care insurance policies. Defines living organ donor as a living individual who donates one or more of that individual's human organs, including bone marrow, to be transplanted into the body of another individual. Effective 30 days after it becomes law and applies to insurance contracts issued, renewed, or amended on or after that date. Effective 30 days after this section becomes law and applies to insurance contracts issued, renewed, or amended on or after that date.
Enacts GS 126-8.7 of the State Human Resources Act that provides for paid leave for State employees and State-sponsored personnel for organ donation as follows. Directs that permanent, full-time State employees continuously employed by the State for at least 12 months immediately preceding the first request for paid organ or bone marrow donation leave may take up to 30 days of paid leave to serve as a living organ donor and up to seven days paid leave to serve as a bone marrow donor, in addition to any other available leave. Allows part-time employees employed by the state for at least 12 months immediately preceding the first request for paid organ or bone marrow donation leave to a prorated amount of up to 30 days of paid leave for the purpose of serving as a living organ donor and seven days paid leave for serving as a bone marrow donor, in addition to any other available leave.
Stipulates that the leave is available without exhaustion of the employee’s sick or vacation leave; is in addition to shared leave or other leave authorized by law; may not be used for retirement purposes; and has no cash value upon termination from employment. Also applies to State-sponsored personnel. Requires the State Human Resources Commission or the appropriate governing board with authority over State-sponsored personnel to adopt rules and policies governing both types of leave. Starting April 1, 2026, requires annual reporting by April 1st to the Office of State Human Resources on the paid organ donation leave program.
Amends GS 126-5 by enacting new subsection (c19) specifying that the leave provisions set forth above apply to all State employees, public school employees, and community college employees.

Statutes affected:
Filed: 1C-1601
Edition 1: 1C-1601
Edition 2: 1C-1601, 126-5