Bill Summary – FastDemocracy

H.B. 7
                          GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
                                                                                               Jan 27, 2021
                                      SESSION 2021                                       HOUSE PRINCIPAL CLERK
     H                                                                                                  D
                                    HOUSE BILL DRH30018-ND-8A
     Short Title:   Protect City Employees From Retaliation.                                      (Public)
     Sponsors:      Representatives Hanig, Bradford, and Hardister (Primary Sponsors).
     Referred to:
 1                                         A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 2   AN ACT PROVIDING THAT CITIES SHALL ADOPT RULES AND REGULATIONS
 3       ENCOURAGING THEIR EMPLOYEES TO REPORT IMPROPER OR UNLAWFUL
 4       ACTIVITY AND REQUIRING CITIES TO PROTECT EMPLOYEES WHO REPORT
 5       SUCH ACTIVITY FROM RETALIATION OR OTHER DISCRIMINATORY ACTION.
 6   The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
 7               SECTION 1. G.S. 160A-164 reads as rewritten:
 8   "§ 160A-164. Personnel rules.rules; adopt rules to encourage reporting of improper or
 9               unlawful activity; protect employees from retaliation.
10       (a)     The council may adopt or provide for rules and regulations or ordinances concerning
11   but not limited to annual leave, sick leave, special leave with full pay or with partial pay
12   supplementing workers' compensation payments for employees injured in accidents arising out
13   of and in the course of employment, hours of employment, holidays, working conditions, service
14   award and incentive award programs, other personnel policies, and any other measures that
15   promote the hiring and retention of capable, diligent, and honest career employees.
16       (b)     The council that does not have a binding personnel policy, code of conduct, or other
17   procedure protecting employees from retaliation shall adopt rules and regulations or ordinances
18   that encourage city employees to report to their immediate supervisor, department head, or other
19   appropriate authority evidence of any of the following: (i) violations of federal, State, or city
20   laws, rules, or regulations, (ii) fraud, (iii) misappropriation of State or city government resources,
21   (iv) any activity that poses a substantial or specific danger to public health and safety, and (v)
22   gross mismanagement, including the gross waste of public monies or the gross abuse of authority.
23   The council shall, by binding policy, prohibit any employee from taking action against another
24   employee who reported any of the activities described in this subsection, including prohibiting
25   retaliation against that employee, discharging the employee, threatening the employee in any
26   way, or otherwise discriminating against the employee regarding the employee's compensation
27   or the employee's terms, conditions, or privileges of employment. The council shall cause notice
28   to be published in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 95-9, or use other appropriate means,
29   to keep city employees informed of their rights and responsibilities under this subsection."
30               SECTION 2. This act is effective when it becomes law.
                                     *DRH30018-ND-8A*
Statutes affected: 
Filed: 160A-164
Edition 1: 160A-164
Edition 2: 160A-164
Edition 3: 160A-164
Edition 4: 160A-164