Rep. Baker files paid sick leave bill in North Carolina House

A new bill filed by State Rep. Amber M. Baker in the North Carolina House seeks to ensure employees accrue paid sick leave to manage personal and family health needs and safety concerns, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 521 on March 26 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Healthy Families & Workplaces/Paid Sick Leave.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill, the Healthy Families and Healthy Workplaces Act, mandates that employees in North Carolina accrue paid sick leave at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked, enabling them to address personal or family health issues, including medical appointments, and conditions resulting from domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. Employees of small businesses can accrue up to 32 hours and others up to 56 hours annually, with unused hours carrying over to the next year. Employers are prohibited from demanding details about medical conditions or violence incidents, and retaliation against leave use is barred. Violations result in liability for unpaid sick time, liquidated damages, and potential attorney fees. The act becomes effective Jan. 1, 2026, with specific provisions for collective bargaining agreements.

A related bill, SB 635, was also filed in the North Carolina Senate, introduced by Sen. Woodson Bradley (and two others) on March 25, 2025.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Julie von Haefen and Terry M. Brown Jr. proposed the most bills (14) during the 2025 regular session.

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Baker graduated from Winston-Salem State University with a BS.

Baker, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2021 to represent the state’s 72nd House district, replacing previous state representative Derwin Montgomery.