Article 1.
State Human Resources System Established.
§ 126‑1. Purpose of Chapter; application to local employees.
It is the intent and purpose of this Chapter to establish for the government of the State a system of personnel administration under the Governor, based on accepted principles of personnel administration and applying the best methods as evolved in government and industry. It is also the intent of this Chapter that this system of personnel administration shall apply to local employees paid entirely or in part from federal funds, except to the extent that local governing boards are authorized by this Chapter to establish local rules, local pay plans, and local personnel systems. It is also the intent of this Chapter to make provisions for a decentralized system of personnel administration, where appropriate, and without additional cost to the State, with the State Human Resources Commission as the policy and rule‑making body. The Office of State Human Resources shall make recommendations for policies and rules to the Commission based on research and study in the field of personnel management, develop and administer statewide standards and criteria for good personnel management, provide training and technical assistance to all agencies, departments, and institutions, provide oversight, which includes conducting audits to monitor compliance with established State Human Resources Commission policies and rules, administer a system for implementing necessary corrective actions when the rule, standards, or criteria are not met, and serve as the central repository for State Human Resources system data. The agency, department, and institution heads shall be responsible and accountable for execution of Commission policies and rules for their employees. (1965, c. 640, s. 2; 1997‑349, s. 1; 2013‑382, s. 9.1(c); 2014‑115, s. 55.4(c).)
§ 126‑1.1. Career State employee defined.
(a) For the purposes of this Chapter, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, "career State employee" means a State employee or an employee of a local entity who is covered by this Chapter pursuant to G.S. 126‑5(a)(2) who:
(1) Is in a permanent position with a permanent appointment, and
(2) Has been continuously employed by the State of North Carolina or a local entity as provided in G.S. 126‑5(a)(2) in a position subject to the North Carolina Human Resources Act for the immediate 12 preceding months.
(b) As used in this Chapter, "probationary State employee" means a State employee who is in a probationary appointment and is exempt from the provisions of the North Carolina Human Resources Act only because the employee has not been continuously employed by the State for the time period required by subsection (a) or (c) of this section.
(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) above:
(1) Employees who are hired by a State agency, department or university in a sworn law enforcement position or forensic scientist position and who are required to complete a formal training program prior to assuming law enforcement or forensic scientist duties with the hiring agency, department or university shall become career State employees only after being employed by the agency, department or university for 24 continuous months.
(2) Employees of The University of North Carolina who are exempt from the minimum wage and overtime compensation provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and who attained career status before September 1, 2023, have the option of either (i) continuing employment with career State employee status if the employee remains in the position the employee occupied on August 31, 2023, or (ii) waiving career State employee status and continuing employment as an exempt employee under G.S. 126‑5(c1)(8). The University shall provide each affected employee with a written explanation of the impact of an election to waive career State employee status. An employee's election to waive career State employee status must be acknowledged either through the employee's written or electronic signature within 60 days of receiving the written explanation.
(3) Probationary State employees of The University of North Carolina who are exempt from the minimum wage and overtime compensation provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act and were hired before September 1, 2023, have the option of either (i) continuing employment for the time period required by subsection (a) of this section or subdivision (1) of this subsection and earning career State employee status or (ii) continuing employment as an exempt employee under G.S. 126‑5(c1)(8). The University shall provide each affected employee with a written explanation of the impact of an election to continue employment as an exempt employee. An employee's election to continue employment as an exempt employee must be acknowledged either through the employee's written or electronic signature within 60 days of receiving the written explanation. (1995, c. 141, s. 1; 2007‑372, s. 1; 2013‑382, ss. 3.1, 9.1(c); 2015‑260, s. 1; 2016‑87, s. 7; 2023‑102, s. 5(a).)
§ 126‑1A: Repealed by Session Laws 1995, c. 141, s. 2.
§ 126‑2. State Human Resources Commission.
(a) There is hereby established the State Human Resources Commission (hereinafter referred to as "the Commission").
(b) Repealed by Session Laws 2013‑382, s. 2.1, effective August 21, 2013.
(b1) The Commission shall consist of nine members, appointed as follows:
(1) One member appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives who shall be an attorney licensed to practice law in North Carolina.
(2) One member appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate who shall be an attorney licensed to practice law in North Carolina.
(3) One member appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives who shall be from private business or industry and who shall have a working knowledge of, or practical experience in, human resources management.
(4) One member appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate who shall be from private business or industry and who shall have a working knowledge of, or practical experience in, human resources management.
(5) One member who is a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States appointed by the Governor upon the nomination of the Veterans' Affairs Commission and who is a State employee subject to this Chapter serving in a nonexempt supervisory position. The member may not be a human resources professional.
(6) One member appointed by the Governor who is a State employee subject to this Chapter serving in a nonexempt nonsupervisory position. The member may not be a human resources professional. The Governor shall consider nominations submitted by the State Employees Association of North Carolina.
(7) One member appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners who is a local government employee subject to this Chapter serving in a supervisory position. The member may not be a human resources professional.
(8) One member appointed by the Governor upon the recommendation of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners who is a local government employee subject to this Chapter serving in a nonsupervisory position. The member may not be a human resources professional.
(9) One member of the public at large appointed by the Governor.
(c) Each member of the Commission shall be appointed for a term of four years. Members of the Commission may serve no more than two consecutive terms. Appointments by the General Assembly shall be made in accordance with G.S. 120‑121, and vacancies in those appointments shall be filled in accordance with G.S. 120‑122. Vacancies in appointments made by the Governor occurring prior to the expiration of a term shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term.
(d) No member of the Commission may serve on a case where there would be a conflict of interest. The appointing authority may at any time remove any Commission member for cause.
(e) Members of the Commission who are State or local government employees subject to this Chapter shall be entitled to administrative leave without loss of pay for all periods of time required to conduct the business of the Commission.
(f) Five members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum.
(g) The Governor shall designate one member of the Commission as chair.
(h) The Commission shall meet quarterly, and at other times at the call of the chair. (1965, c. 640, s. 2; 1975, c. 667, ss. 2‑4; 1989, c. 540; 1998‑181, s. 1(a), (b); 2000‑140, s. 29; 2007‑287, s. 1; 2011‑183, s. 90; 2013‑382, ss. 2.1, 9.1(c); 2015‑241, s. 24.1(u); 2015‑268, s. 7.3(a).)
§ 126‑3. Office of State Human Resources established and responsibilities outlined; administration and supervision; appointment, compensation and tenure of Director.
(a) There is hereby established the Office of State Human Resources (hereinafter referred to as "the Office") which shall be placed for organizational purposes within the Office of the Governor. Notwithstanding the provisions of North Carolina State government reorganization as of January 1, 1975, and specifically notwithstanding the provisions of Chapter 864 of the 1971 North Carolina Session Laws, Chapter 143A of the General Statutes, the Office of State Human Resources shall exercise all of its statutory powers in this Chapter, which shall be under the administration and supervision of a Director of the Office of State Human Resources (hereinafter referred to as "the Director") appointed by the Governor and subject to the supervision of the Commission for purposes of this Chapter. The salary of the Director shall be fixed by the Governor. The Director shall serve at the pleasure of the Governor.
(b) The Office shall be responsible for the following activities, and such other activities as specified in this Chapter:
(1) Providing policy and rule development for the Commission and implementing and administering all policies, rules, and procedures established by the Commission.
(2) Providing training in personnel management to agencies, departments, and institutions including train‑the‑trainer programs for those agencies, departments, and institutions who request such training and where sufficient staff and expertise exist to provide the training within their respective agencies, departments, and institutions.
(3) Providing technical assistance in the management of personnel programs and activities to agencies, departments, and institutions.
(4) Negotiating decentralization agreements with all agencies, departments, and institutions where it is cost‑effective to include delegation of authority for certain classification and corresponding salary administration actions and other personnel programs to be specified in the agreements.
(5) Administering such centralized programs and providing services as approved by the Commission which have not been transferred to agencies, departments, and institutions or where this authority has been rescinded for noncompliance.
(6) Providing approval authority of personnel actions involving classification and compensation where such approval authority has not been transferred by the Commission to agencies, departments, and institutions or where such authority has been rescinded for noncompliance.
(7) Maintaining a computer database of all relevant and necessary information on employees and positions within agencies, departments, and institutions in the State's personnel system.
(8) Developing criteria and standards to measure the level of compliance or noncompliance with established Commission policies, rules, procedures, criteria, and standards in agencies, departments, and institutions to which authority has been delegated for classification, salary administration, performance management, development, evaluation, and other decentralized programs, and determining through routine monitoring and periodic review process, that agencies, departments, and institutions are in compliance or noncompliance with established Commission policies, rules, procedures, criteria, and standards.
(9) Implementing corrective actions in cases of noncompliance.
(10) Repealed by Session Laws 2021‑180, s. 20.13(b), effective July 1, 2021. (1965, c. 640, s. 2; 1975, c. 667, s. 5; 1983, c. 717, s. 40; 1983 (Reg. Sess., 1984), c. 1034, s. 164; 1997‑349, s. 2; 2011‑224, s. 5; 2012‑142, s. 25.1(c); 2012‑194, s. 25; 2013‑382, ss. 1.1, 1.2, 9.1(c); 2021‑180, s. 20.13(b).)
§ 126‑4. Powers and duties of State Human Resources Commission.
Subject to the approval of the Governor, the State Human Resources Commission shall establish policies and rules governing each of the following:
(1) Position classification plans which shall provide for the classification and reclassification of all positions subject to this Chapter according to the duties and responsibilities of the positions.
(2) Compensation plans which shall provide for minimum, maximum, and intermediate rates of pay for all employees subject to the provisions of this Chapter.
(3) For each class of positions, reasonable qualifications as to education, experience, specialized training, licenses, certifications, and other job‑related requirements pertinent to the work to be performed.
(4) Recruitment programs designed to promote public employment, communicate current hiring activities within State government, and attract a sufficient flow of internal and external applicants; and determine the relative fitness of applicants for the respective positions.
(5) Hours and days of work, holidays, vacation, sick leave, and other matters pertaining to the conditions of employment. The legal public holidays established by the Commission as paid holidays for State employees shall include Martin Luther King, Jr.'s Birthday and Veterans Day. The Commission shall not provide for more than 12 paid holidays per year, with three paid holidays being given for Christmas.
(5a) In years in which New Year's Day falls on Saturday, the Commission may designate December 31 of the previous calendar year as the New Year's holiday, provided that the number of holidays for the previous calendar year does not exceed 12 and the number of holidays for the current year does not exceed 10. When New Year's Day falls on either Saturday or Sunday, the constituent institutions of The University of North Carolina that adopt alternative dates to recognize the legal public holidays set forth in subdivision (5) of this section and established by the Commission may designate, in accordance with the rules of the Commission and the requirements of this subdivision, December 31 of the previous calendar year as the New Year's holiday.
(5b) A leave program that allows employees to volunteer in a literacy program in a public school for up to five hours each month.
(6) The appointment, promotion, transfer, demotion and suspension of employees.
(7) Cooperation with the State Board of Education, the Department of Public Instruction, the University of North Carolina, and the Community Colleges of the State and other appropriate resources in developing programs in, including but not limited to, management and supervisory skills, performance evaluation, specialized employee skills, accident prevention, equal employment opportunity awareness, and customer service; and to maintain an accredited Certified Public Manager program.
(7a) The separation of employees.
(8) A program of meritorious service awards.
(9) The investigation of complaints and the issuing of such binding corrective orders or such other appropriate action concerning employment, promotion, demotion, transfer, discharge, reinstatement, and any other issue defined as a contested case issue by this Chapter in all cases as the Commission shall find justified.
(10) Programs of employee assistance, productivity incentives, equal opportunity, safety and health as required by Part 1 of Article 63 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes, and such other programs and procedures as may be necessary to promote efficiency of administration and provide for a fair and modern system of personnel administration.
(11) In cases where the Commission finds discrimination, harassment, or orders reinstatement or back pay whether (i) heard by the Commission or (ii) appealed for limited review after settlement or (iii) resolved at the agency level, the assessment of reasonable attorneys' fees and witnesses' fees against the State agency involved.
(12) Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 320, s. 2.
(13) Repealed by Session Laws 1987, c. 320, s. 3.
(14) The implementation of G.S. 126‑5(e).
(15) Recognition of State employees, public personnel management, and management excellence.
(16) The implementation of G.S. 126‑7.
(17) An alternative dispute resolution procedure.
(18) Delegation of authority for approval of personnel actions through decentralization agreements with the heads of State agencies, departments, and institutions.
a. Decentralization agreements with Executive Branch agencies shall require a person, designated in the agency, to be accountable to the Director of the Office of State Human Resources for the compliance of all personnel actions taken pursuant to the delegated authority of the agency. Such agreements shall specify the required rules and standards for agency personnel administration.
b. The Director of the Office of State Human Resources shall have the authority to take appropriate corrective actions including adjusting employee salaries and changing employee classifications that are not in compliance with policy or standards and to suspend decentralization agreements for agency noncompliance with the required personnel administration standards.
(19) The implementation of G.S. 126‑6.3 in a manner that is consistent across all affected State agencies.
The policies and rules of the Commission shall not limit the power of any elected or appointed department head, in the department head's discretion and upon the department head's determination that it is in the best interest of the Department, to transfer, demote, or separate a State employee who is not a career State employee as defined by this Chapter. (1965, c. 640, s. 2; 1971, c. 1244, s. 14; 1975, c. 667, ss. 6, 7; 1977, c. 288, s. 1; c. 866, ss. 1, 17, 20; 1985, c. 617, ss. 2, 3; c. 791, s. 50(b); 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 1028, s. 6; 1987, c. 25, s. 2; c. 320, ss. 1‑3; 1991, c. 65, s. 1; c. 354, s. 2; c. 750, s. 1; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 994, s. 2; 1993, c. 388, s. 2; c. 522, s. 10; 1995, c. 141, s. 4; 1997‑349, s. 3; 1998‑135, s. 1; 2013‑360, s. 9.1; 2013‑382, ss. 1.3, 9.1(c); 2015‑241, s. 26.2(f); 2015‑260, s. 2.)
§ 126‑4.1: Repealed by Session Laws 2011‑398, s. 41, effective January 1, 2012, and applicable to contested cases commenced on or after that date.
§ 126‑5. Employees subject to Chapter; exemptions.
(a) This Chapter applies to all of the following:
(1) All State employees not exempted by this section.
(2) All employees of the following local entities:
a. Area mental health, developmental disabilities, and substance abuse authorities, except as otherwise provided in Chapter 122C of the General Statutes.
b. Local social services departments.
c. County health departments and district health departments.
d. Local emergency management agencies that receive federal grant‑in‑aid funds.
An employee of a consolidated county human services agency created pursuant to G.S. 153A‑77(b) is not considered an employee of an entity listed in this subdivision.
(3) County employees not included under subdivision (2) of this subsection as the several boards of county commissioners may from time to time determine.
(b) The following definitions apply in this section:
(1) Recodified as subdivision (b)(3a) of this section by Session Laws 2022‑62, s. 58(a), effective July 8, 2022.
(2) Exempt managerial position. – A position delegated with significant managerial or programmatic responsibility that is essential to the successful operation of a State department, agency, or division, so that the application of G.S. 126‑35 to an employee in the position would cause undue disruption to the operations of the agency, department, institution, or division.
(3) Exempt policymaking position. – A position delegated with the authority to impose the final decision as to a settled course of action to be followed within a department, agency, or division, so that a loyalty to the Governor or other elected department head in their respective offices is reasonably necessary to implement the policies of their offices. The term does not include personnel professionals.
(3a) Exempt position. – An exempt managerial position or an exempt policymaking position.
(4) Personnel professional. – Any employee in a State department, agency, institution, or division whose primary job duties involve administrative personnel and human resources functions for that State department, agency, institution, or division.
(c) Except as to the policies, rules, and plans established by the Commission pursuant to G.S. 126‑4(1), 126‑4(2), 126‑4(3), 126‑4(4), 126‑4(5), and 126‑4(6), and except as to Articles 6 and 7 of this Chapter, this Chapter does not apply to any of the following:
(1) A State employee who is not a career State employee as defined by this Chapter.
(2) One confidential assistant and two confidential secretaries for each elected or appointed department head and one confidential secretary for each chief deputy or chief administrative assistant.
(3) Employees in exempt policymaking positions designated pursuant to subsection (d) of this section.
(4) The chief deputy or chief administrative assistant to the head of each State department who is designated either by statute or by the department head to act for and perform all of the duties of the department head during the department head's absence or incapacity.
(c1) Except as to Articles 6 and 7 of this Chapter, this Chapter does not apply to any of the following:
(1) Constitutional officers of the State.
(2) Officers and employees of the Judicial Department.
(2a) Deputy commissioners appointed pursuant to G.S. 97‑79.
(3) Officers and employees of the General Assembly.
(4) Members of boards, committees, commissions, councils, and advisory councils compensated on a per diem basis.
(5) Officials or employees whose salaries are fixed by the General Assembly, or by the Governor, or by the Governor and Council of State, or by the Governor subject to the approval of the Council of State.
(6) Employees of the Office of the Governor that the Governor, at any time, in the Governor's discretion, exempts from the application of this Chapter by means of a letter to the Director of the Office of State Human Resources designating these employees.
(7) Employees of the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, that the Lieutenant Governor, at any time, in the Lieutenant Governor's discretion, exempts from the application of this Chapter by means of a letter to the Director of the Office of State Human Resources designating these employees.
(8) Employees of The University of North Carolina who are exempt from the minimum wage and overtime compensation provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, including instructional and research staff, finance professionals, business office professionals, auditor professionals, information technology professionals, physicians, dentists, pilots, and the faculty of the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. The Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina shall have the authority to establish positions under this subdivision to be exempt from this Chapter without further review or approval by any other State agency.
(8a) Employees of a regional school established pursuant to Part 10 of Article 16 of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes.
(8b) (Effective July 1, 2024) Employees of a school for the deaf or blind governed by Article 9C of Chapter 115C of the General Statutes hired on or after July 1, 2024.
(9) Employees whose salaries are fixed under the authority vested in the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina by the provisions of G.S. 116‑11(4), 116‑11(5), and 116‑14.
(9a) Employees of the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service of North Carolina State University and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University who are employed in county operations and who are not exempt pursuant to subdivision (8) or (9) of this subsection.
(10) Repealed by Session Laws 1991, c. 84, s. 1.
(11) Repealed by Session Laws 2006‑66, s. 9.11(z), effective July 1, 2007.
(12), (13) Repealed by Session Laws 2001‑474, s. 15, effective November 29, 2001.
(14) Employees of the North Carolina State Ports Authority.
(15) Employees of the North Carolina Global TransPark Authority.
(16) The executive director and one associate director of the North Carolina Center for Nursing established under Article 9F of Chapter 90 of the General Statutes.
(17) Repealed by Session Laws 2004‑129, s. 37, effective July 1, 2004.
(18) Employees of the Tobacco Trust Fund Commission established in Article 75 of Chapter 143 of the General Statutes.
(19) Employees of the Health and Wellness Trust Fund Commission established in Article 21 of Chapter 130A of the General Statutes.
(20) Repealed by Session Laws 2008‑134, s. 73(d), effective July 28, 2008.
(21) Repealed by Session Laws 2019‑32, s. 1(b), effective July 1, 2019.
(22) Employees of the North Carolina Turnpike Authority.
(23) The Executive Administrator of the State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees.
(24) Employees of the State Health Plan for Teachers and State Employees as designated by law or by the Executive Administrator of the Plan.
(25) The North Carolina State Lottery Director and employees of the North Carolina State Lottery.
(26) Repealed by Session Laws 2011‑145, s. 7.31(c), as added by Session Laws 2011‑391, s. 17, and by Session Laws 2011‑266, s. 1.37(c), effective July 1, 2011.
(27) The Chief Administrative Law Judge of the Office of Administrative Hearings and five employees of the Office of Administrative Hearings as designated by the Chief Administrative Law Judge.
(28) The Executive Director and the Assistant Director of the U.S.S. North Carolina Battleship Commission.
(29) The Executive Director, Deputy Director, all other directors, assistant and associate directors, and center fellows of the North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching.
(30) Employees of the Department of Commerce employed in the Rural Economic Development Division.
(30a) Repealed by Session Laws 2018‑5, s. 15.5(e), effective July 1, 2018.
(31) Repealed by Session Laws 2021‑180, s. 9B.4(c), effective July 1, 2021.
(32) Employees of the North Carolina Health Information Exchange Authority.
(33) Employees of the Division of Health Benefits of the Department of Health and Human Services.
(34) Repealed by Session Laws 2021‑180, s. 9F.19(a), effective December 18, 2021.
(35) The Associate Superintendent of Early Education who serves as chief academic officer of early education.
(36) Employees of the North Carolina Youth Outdoor Engagement Commission.
(37) Employees of the Division of State Operated Healthcare Facilities of the Department of Health and Human Services who are (i) health care professionals licensed under Chapter 90 or Chapter 90B of the General Statutes or (ii) engineers responsible for maintenance or buildings operations at one of the health care facilities operated by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services under G.S. 122C‑181.
(38) The Executive Director of the North Carolina Boxing and Combat Sports Commission created pursuant to G.S. 143‑652.2.
(c2) This Chapter does not apply to any of the following:
(1) Public school superintendents, principals, teachers, and other public school employees.
(2) Recodified as G.S. 126‑5(c)(4) by Session Laws 1985 (Regular Session, 1986), c. 1014, s. 41.
(3) Employees of community colleges whose salaries are fixed in accordance with G.S. 115D‑5 and G.S. 115D‑20 and employees of the Community Colleges System Office whose salaries are fixed by the State Board of Community Colleges in accordance with G.S. 115D‑3.
(4) Employees of the Office of Proprietary Schools whose salaries are fixed by the State Board of Proprietary Schools in accordance with G.S. 115D‑89.2.
(5) Officers, employees, and members of the governing board of a North Carolina nonprofit corporation with which the Department of Commerce has contracted pursuant to the authority granted in G.S. 143B‑431.01.
(c3) Except as to the policies, rules, and plans established by the Commission pursuant to G.S. 126‑4(5) and Article 6 of this Chapter, this Chapter does not apply to teaching and related educational classes of employees of the Division of Juvenile Justice of the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Health and Human Services, and any other State department, agency, or institution, whose salaries shall be set in the same manner as set for corresponding public school employees in accordance with Chapter 115C of the General Statutes.
(c4) Repealed by Session Laws 1993, c. 321, s. 145(b).
(c5) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Chapter, Article 14 of this Chapter applies to all State employees, public school employees, and community college employees.
(c6) Article 15 of this Chapter applies to all State employees, public school employees, and community college employees.
(c7) Except as to the policies, rules, and plans established by the Commission pursuant to G.S. 126‑4(1), 126‑4(2), 126‑4(3), 126‑4(4), 126‑4(5), 126‑4(6), 126‑14.3, and except as to G.S. 126‑14.2, G.S. 126‑34.02(b)(1) and (2), and Articles 6 and 7 of this Chapter, this Chapter does not apply to exempt managerial positions.
(c8) Except as to Articles 5, 6, 7, and 14 of this Chapter, this Chapter does not apply to any of the following:
(1) Employees of the University of North Carolina Health Care System.
(2) Employees of the University of North Carolina Hospitals at Chapel Hill, as may be provided pursuant to G.S. 116‑37(a)(4).
(3) Employees of the clinical patient care programs of the School of Medicine of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill as may be provided pursuant to G.S. 116‑37(a)(4).
(4) Employees of the Medical Faculty Practice Plan, a division of the School of Medicine of East Carolina University.
(5) Employees of UNC‑CH Dental School Clinical Operations, a division of the Adams School of Dentistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
(6) Employees of ECU Dental School Clinical Operations, a division of the School of Dental Medicine at East Carolina University.
(c9) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, Article 16 of this Chapter applies to all exempt and nonexempt State employees in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches unless provided otherwise by Article 16 of this Chapter. Article 16 of this Chapter does not apply to employees described in subdivisions (2) and (3) of subsection (a) of this section.
(c10) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, G.S. 126‑8.5 applies to all exempt and nonexempt State employees in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches unless provided otherwise by G.S. 126‑8.5. G.S. 126‑8.5 does not apply to employees described in subdivisions (2) and (3) of subsection (a) of this section.
(c11) The following are exempt from (i) the classification and compensation rules established by the State Human Resources Commission pursuant to G.S. 126‑4(1) through (4); (ii) G.S. 126‑4(5) only as it applies to hours and days of work, vacation, and sick leave; (iii) G.S. 126‑4(6) only as it applies to promotion and transfer; (iv) G.S. 126‑4(10) only as it applies to the prohibition of the establishment of incentive pay programs; and (v) Article 2 of Chapter 126 of the General Statutes, except for G.S. 126‑7.1:
(1) The Office of the Commissioner of Banks and its employees.
(2) The following employees of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources:
a. Director and Associate Directors of the North Carolina Museum of History.
b. Program Chiefs and Curators.
c. Regional History Museum Administrators and Curators.
d. North Carolina Symphony.
e. Director, Associate Directors, and Curators of Tryon Palace.
f. Director, Associate Directors, and Curators of Transportation Museum.
g. Director and Associate Directors of the North Carolina Arts Council.
h. Director, Assistant Directors, and Curators of the Division of State Historic Sites.
(3) Employees of the Department of Information Technology (DIT), and employees in all agencies, departments, and institutions with similar classifications as DIT employees, who voluntarily relinquish annual longevity payments, relinquish any claim to longevity pay, voluntarily relinquish any claim to career status or eligibility for career status as approved by the State Chief Information Officer and the Director of the Office of State Human Resources (OSHR).
(c12) Except as to G.S. 126‑13, 126‑14, 126‑14.1, and Articles 6, 7, 14, 15, and 16 of this Chapter, this Chapter does not apply to employees of the Department of State Treasurer possessing specialized skills or knowledge necessary for the proper administration of investment programs and compensated pursuant to G.S. 147‑69.3(i2).
(c13) Except as to G.S. 126‑13, 126‑14, 126‑14.1, and Articles 6, 7, 14, 15, and 16 of this Chapter, this Chapter does not apply to employees of the Department of State Treasurer possessing specialized skills or knowledge necessary for the proper administration of the Supplemental Retirement Plans and compensated pursuant to G.S. 135‑91(c).
(c14) Notwithstanding any provision of this Chapter to the contrary, each Council of State agency has the sole authority to set the salary of its exempt policymaking and exempt managerial positions within the minimum rates, and the maximum rates plus ten percent (10%), established by the State Human Resources Commission under G.S. 126‑4(2).
(c15) Notwithstanding any provision of this Chapter to the contrary, the State Chief Information Officer (State CIO) may do the following:
(1) Classify or reclassify positions in the Department of Information Technology (DIT) according to the classification system established by the State Human Resources Commission (SHRC) as long as the employee meets the minimum requirements of the classification.
(2) Set salaries for DIT employees within the salary ranges for the respective position classification established by the SHRC.
(c16) Except as to Articles 6, 7, and 8 of this Chapter, this Chapter does not apply to commissioned police officer positions of the University of North Carolina. Employees in positions covered by this exception are eligible for all employment and retirement benefits provided to State law enforcement officers subject to this Chapter.
(c17) Except as to the policies, rules, and plans established by the Commission pursuant to G.S. 126‑4(1), 126‑4(2), 126‑4(3), 126‑4(4), 126‑4(5), 126‑4(6), 126‑7, 126‑14.3, and except as to the provisions of G.S. 126‑14.2, G.S. 126‑34.1(a)(2), and Articles 6 and 7 of this Chapter, the provisions of this Chapter shall not apply to a warden of an adult corrections facility.
(c18) Except as to the policies, rules, and plans established by the Commission pursuant to G.S. 126‑4(1), 126‑4(2), 126‑4(3), 126‑4(4), 126‑4(5), 126‑4(6), 126‑4(7), and 126‑14.3, and except as to the provisions of G.S. 126‑14.2, 126‑34.02(b)(1) and (2), and Articles 6 and 7 of this Chapter, this Chapter does not apply to the warden of a State adult correctional facility. Employees in these positions shall be public servants under G.S. 138A‑3(70) and shall file Statements of Economic Interest under G.S. 138A‑22. Employees in these positions shall receive the protections of former G.S. 126‑5(e) if the employees were hired before the date of its repeal and have the minimum cumulative service to qualify under that subsection.
(c19) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Chapter, G.S. 126‑8.6 applies to all State employees, public school employees, and community college employees. G.S. 126‑8.6 does not apply to employees described in subdivisions (2) and (3) of subsection (c1) of G.S. 126‑5. The legislative and judicial branches shall adopt parental leave policies.
(c20) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, G.S. 126‑14.5 shall apply to all (i) nonexempt State employees in the executive branch, including nonexempt employees of The University of North Carolina and nonexempt employees of the Community Colleges System Office, and (ii) community college employees.
(c21) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, G.S. 126‑14.6 shall apply to all (i) nonexempt State employees in the executive branch, including nonexempt employees of The University of North Carolina and nonexempt employees of the Community Colleges System Office, and (ii) community college employees.
(d)(1) Exempt Positions in Cabinet Department. – Subject to this Chapter, which is known as the North Carolina Human Resources Act, the Governor may designate a total of 425 exempt positions throughout the following departments and offices:
a. Department of Administration.
b. Department of Commerce.
c. Repealed by Session Laws 2012‑83, s. 7, effective June 26, 2012, and by Session Laws 2012‑142, s. 25.2E(a), effective January 1, 2013.
d. Department of Public Safety.
e. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
f. Department of Health and Human Services.
g. Department of Environmental Quality.
h. Department of Revenue.
i. Department of Transportation.
j. Repealed by Session Laws 2012‑83, s. 7, effective June 26, 2012, and by Session Laws 2012‑142, s. 25.2E(a), effective January 1, 2013.
k. Department of Information Technology.
l., m. Repealed by Session Laws 2016‑126, 4th Ex. Sess., s. 7, effective December 19, 2016.
n. Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
o. Department of Adult Correction.
(2) Exempt Positions in Council of State Departments and Offices. – The Secretary of State, the Auditor, the Treasurer, the Attorney General, the Superintendent of Public Instruction, the Commissioner of Agriculture, the Commissioner of Insurance, and the Labor Commissioner may designate exempt positions. The number of exempt policymaking positions in each department headed by an elected department head listed in this subdivision is limited to 25 exempt policymaking positions or two percent (2%) of the total number of full‑time positions in the department, whichever is greater. The number of exempt managerial positions is limited to 25 positions or two percent (2%) of the total number of full‑time positions in the department, whichever is greater. The number of exempt policymaking positions designated by the Superintendent of Public Instruction is limited to 70 exempt policymaking positions or two percent (2%) of the total number of full‑time positions in the department, whichever is greater. The number of exempt managerial positions designated by the Superintendent of Public Instruction is limited to 70 exempt managerial positions or two percent (2%) of the total number of full‑time positions in the department, whichever is greater.
(2a) Designation of Additional Positions. – The Governor or elected department head may request that additional positions be designated as exempt. The request shall be made by sending a list of exempt positions that exceed the limit imposed by this subsection to the Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives and the President of the North Carolina Senate. A copy of the list also shall be sent to the Director of the Office of State Human Resources. The General Assembly may authorize all, or part of, the additional positions to be designated as exempt positions. If the General Assembly is in session when the list is submitted and does not act within 30 days after the list is submitted, the list is deemed approved by the General Assembly, and the positions shall be designated as exempt positions. If the General Assembly is not in session when the list is submitted, the 30‑day period shall not begin to run until the next date that the General Assembly convenes or reconvenes, other than for a special session called for a specific purpose not involving the approval of the list of additional positions to be designated as exempt positions; the policymaking positions shall not be designated as exempt during the interim.
(2b) Designation of Liaison Positions. – Liaisons to the Collaboration for Prosperity Zones set out in G.S. 143B‑28.1 for the Departments of Commerce, Environmental Quality, and Transportation are designated as exempt.
(2c) Repealed by Session Laws 2017‑6, s. 1, effective May 1, 2017.
(3) Letter. – Exempt positions shall be designated in a letter to the Director of the Office of State Human Resources, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President of the Senate by July 1 of the year in which the oath of office is administered to each Governor unless subdivision (4) of this subsection applies.
(4) Vacancies. – In the event of a vacancy in the Office of Governor or in the office of a member of the Council of State, the person who succeeds to or is appointed or elected to fill the unexpired term shall make designations in a letter to the Director of the Office of State Human Resources, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the President of the Senate within 180 days after the oath of office is administered to that person.
(5) Creation, Transfer, or Reorganization. – The Governor or elected department head may designate as exempt a position that is created or transferred to a different department, or is located in a department in which reorganization has occurred, after October 1 of the year in which the oath of office is administered to the Governor. The designation shall be made in a letter to the Director of the Office of State Human Resources, the Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives, and the President of the North Carolina Senate within 180 days after the position is created, transferred, or in which reorganization has occurred.
(6) Reversal. – Subsequent to the designation of a position as an exempt position, the status of the position may be reversed and made subject to this Chapter by the Governor or by an elected department head in a letter to the Director of the Office of State Human Resources, the Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives, and the President of the North Carolina Senate.
(7) No Designation for Certain Positions. – Except for deputy commissioners appointed pursuant to G.S. 97‑79 and as otherwise specifically provided by this section, no employee, by whatever title, whose primary duties include the power to conduct hearings, take evidence, and enter a decision based on findings of fact and conclusions of law based on statutes and legal precedents shall be designated as exempt.
(e) (Repealed for State employees hired on or after August 21, 2013) An exempt employee may be transferred, demoted, or separated from his or her position by the department head authorized to designate the exempt position except as follows:
(1) When an employee who has the minimum service requirements described in G.S. 126‑1.1 but less than 10 years of cumulative service in subject positions prior to placement in an exempt position is removed from an exempt position, for reasons other than just cause, the employee shall have priority to any position that becomes available for which the employee is qualified, according to rules and regulations regulating and defining priority as promulgated by the State Human Resources Commission.
(2) When an employee who has 10 years or more cumulative service, including the immediately preceding 12 months, in subject positions prior to placement in an exempt position is removed from an exempt position, for reasons other than just cause, the employee shall be reassigned to a subject position within the same department or agency, or if necessary within another agency, at the same grade and salary, including all across‑the‑board increases since placement in the position designated as exempt, as his or her most recent subject position.
(3) When a career State employee as defined by G.S. 126‑1.1 who has more than two but less than 10 years or more of cumulative service in a subject position moves from one exempt position covered by this subsection to another position covered by this subsection without a break in service and that employee is later removed from the last exempt position, for reasons other than just cause, the employee shall have priority to any position that becomes available for which the employee is qualified, according to the rules regulating and defining priority as adopted by the State Human Resources Commission.
(4) When a career State employee as defined by G.S. 126‑1.1 who has 10 years or more of cumulative service moves from one exempt position covered by this subsection to another position covered by this subsection without a break in service and that employee is later removed from the last exempt position, for reasons other than just cause, the employee shall be reassigned to a subject position within the same department or agency, or if necessary, within another department or agency. The employee shall be paid at the same grade and salary as the employee's most recent subject position, including all across‑the‑board legislative increases awarded since the employee's placement in the position that was designated as exempt.
(f) (Repealed for State employees hired on or after August 21, 2013) A department head is authorized to use existing budgeted positions within his department in order to carry out the provisions of subsection (e) of this section. If it is necessary to meet the requirements of subsection (e) of this section, a department head may use salary reserve funds authorized for his department.
(g) No employee shall be placed in an exempt position without 10 working days' prior written notification that the position is so designated. A person applying for a position that is designated as exempt shall be notified in writing at the time the person makes the application that the position is designated as exempt.
(h) In case of a dispute as to whether an employee is subject to this Chapter, the dispute shall be resolved as provided in Article 3 of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes. (1965, c. 640, s. 2; 1967, c. 24, s. 20; cc. 1038, 1143; 1969, c. 982; 1971, c. 1025, s. 2; 1973, c. 476, s. 143; 1975, c. 667, ss. 8, 9; 1977, c. 866, ss. 2‑5; 1979, 2nd Sess., c. 1137, s. 40; 1983, c. 717, s. 41; c. 867, s. 2; 1985, c. 589, s. 38; c. 617, s. 1; c. 757, s. 206(c); 1985 (Reg. Sess., 1986), c. 955, s. 43; c. 1014, ss. 41, 235; c. 1022, s. 9; 1987, c. 320, s. 4; c. 395, s. 1; c. 809, s. 1; c. 850, s. 19; 1987 (Reg. Sess., 1988), c. 1064, s. 3; 1989, c. 168, s. 9; c. 236, s. 3; c. 484; c. 727, s. 218(85); c. 751, s. 7(13); 1991, c. 65, s. 2; c. 84, ss. 1, 2; c. 354, s. 3; c. 749, s. 4; 1991 (Reg. Sess., 1992), c. 879, s. 5; c. 959, s. 85; 1993, c. 145, s. 1; c. 321, s. 145(b); c. 553, ss. 39, 40; 1993 (Reg. Sess., 1994), c. 777, s. 4(g); 1995, c. 141, ss. 3, 5; c. 393, s. 1; 1995 (Reg. Sess., 1996), c. 690, s. 15; 1997‑443, ss. 11A.118(a), 11A.119(a), 22.2(b); 1997‑520, s. 3; 1998‑212, s. 11.8(b); 1999‑84, s. 21; 1999‑253, s. 1; 1999‑434, s. 25; 2000‑137, s. 4(nn); 2000‑147, s. 4; 2000‑148, s. 3; 2001‑92, s. 2; 2001‑424, s. 32.16(a); 2001‑474, s. 15; 2001‑487, ss. 21(d), 30(a), (b); 2002‑126, s. 28.4; 2002‑133, s. 4; 2004‑124, s. 31.27(b); 2004‑129, s. 37; 2005‑276, s. 29.34(b); 2005‑344, s. 9; 2006‑66, ss. 9.11(y), (z), 9.17(e), 18.2(e); 2006‑204, s. 2; 2006‑221, s. 20; 2006‑259, s. 49; 2006‑264, s. 11; 2007‑117, s. 3(b); 2007‑195, s. 1; 2007‑323, s. 28.22A(o); 2007‑345, s. 12; 2007‑484, s. 9(c); 2008‑134, s. 73(d); 2009‑451, ss. 9.13(f), 27.31(c); 2011‑145, ss. 7.31(c), 19.1(g), (h), (l); 2011‑241, s. 5; 2011‑266, s. 1.37(c); 2011‑391, s. 17; 2012‑83, s. 7; 2012‑142, ss. 8.9A(c), 25.2E(a); 2012‑151, s. 11(a); 2013‑360, s. 15.10(d); 2013‑382, ss. 4.1, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 9.1(c); 2013‑410, s. 47.2(b); 2014‑18, s. 1.4; 2014‑100, ss. 7.17(a), 15.16(b), 33.2(b), 35.11(a); 2014‑115, s. 55.3(a); 2015‑164, s. 9(b); 2015‑241, ss. 7A.4(k), 12A.3(b), 12A.5(e), 14.30(s), (u), 24.1(v); 2015‑245, s. 20; 2015‑268, s. 7.3(a); 2016‑94, s. 15.10(b); 2016‑126, 4th Ex. Sess., ss. 7, 8; 2017‑6, s. 1; 2017‑57, ss. 7.23I(b), 35.18C; 2017‑186, s. 2(sssss); 2018‑5, ss. 15.5(e), 35.19; 2018‑84, s. 8(b); 2019‑32, s. 1(b); 2019‑200, s. 13; 2020‑56, s. 7; 2020‑78, s. 9.1; 2021‑80, s. 1; 2021‑180, ss. 9B.4(c), 9F.19(a), 19A.7(e), 21.2(b); 2022‑58, s. 20(a); 2022‑62, s. 58(a), (b); 2022‑74, ss. 8.4(c), 19C.1(a); 2023‑10, s. 2(c); 2023‑14, ss. 5.1(b), 10; 2023‑51, s. 2; 2023‑62, ss. 1(b), 2(b); 2023‑65, s. 13A.1(b); 2023‑102, ss. 5(b), 6(a).)
§ 126‑6: Repealed by Session Laws 1991, c. 65, s. 3.
§ 126‑6.1: Repealed by Session Laws 1993, c. 397, s. 1.
§ 126‑6.2. Reports.
(a) Beginning January 1, 1998, and annually thereafter, the head of each State agency, department, or institution employing State employees subject to the North Carolina Human Resources Act shall report to the Office of State Human Resources on the following:
(1) The costs associated with the defense or settlement of administrative grievances and lawsuits filed by current or former State employees and applicants for State employment, including the costs of settlements, attorneys' fees, litigation expenses, damages, or awards incurred by the respective State agencies, departments, and institutions. The report shall include an explanation of the fiscal impact of these costs upon the operations of the State agency, department, or institution.
(2) Any other human resources functions or actions as may be requested by the Director of the Office of State Human Resources in order for the Office to evaluate the efficiency, productivity, and compliance of a State agency, department, or institution with policies, including, but not limited to, the compensation of State employees, voluntary shared‑leave programs, equal employment opportunity plans and programs, and work options programs.
(b) Beginning May 1, 1998, and annually thereafter, the State Human Resources Commission shall report to the Joint Legislative Commission on Governmental Operations on the costs associated with the defense or settlement of lawsuits, and upon request, on the results of any other reports regarding human resources action or functions pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.
(c) Repealed by Session Laws 2013‑382, s. 7.5, effective August 21, 2013. (1997‑520, s. 8(a)‑(c); 2013‑382, ss. 7.5, 9.1(c); 2015‑260, s. 4.)
§ 126‑6.3. Temporary employment needs of Cabinet and Council of State agencies; use of the Temporary Solutions Program.
(a) Use of Temporary Solutions Required for Cabinet Agencies. – Notwithstanding G.S. 126‑5 or any other provision of law, all Cabinet agencies that utilize temporary employees to perform work that is not information technology‑related shall employ them through the Temporary Solutions Program administered by the Office of State Human Resources. The Director of the Office of State Human Resources may create exceptions to this requirement when doing so would be in the best interests of the State in the sole discretion of the Director. An exception shall be invalid unless it is in writing. Council of State agencies may use the Temporary Solutions Program in the discretion of the agency.
(b) Compliance Monitoring. – The Office of State Human Resources shall monitor the employment of temporary employees by Cabinet and Council of State agencies and shall report biannually to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on General Government and to the Fiscal Research Division on agency compliance with this section and policies and rules adopted pursuant to it. Each State agency granted an exception under this section from using the Temporary Solutions Program and any Council of State agency that elected to not use the Temporary Solutions Program shall record the time worked by each temporary employee in the agency, including the number of hours worked per week, number of months worked, and the amount of time the employee was not employed after 11 consecutive months of service with the agency. To the extent possible for temporary employees, agencies shall use BEACON, or the State payroll system that supersedes BEACON, for payroll purposes. If it is not feasible for an agency to use BEACON, or the superseding system for payroll purposes, the agency shall report the information required by this section to the Office of State Human Resources in accordance with guidelines and requirements established by the Director of Temporary Solutions.
(c) Definitions. – For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) Cabinet agency. – A unit of the executive branch of State government, such as a department, an institution, a division, a commission, a board, or a council that is under the control of the Governor. The term does not include an agency that is under the control of an official who is a member of the Council of State.
(2) Council of State agency. – An agency that is under the control of an official who is a member of the Council of State. (2015‑241, s. 26.2(e); 2018‑5, s. 26A.2.)