Recovery-Friendly Workplace Program/Funds.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
H 1
HOUSE BILL 351

Short Title: Recovery-Friendly Workplace Program/Funds. (Public)
Sponsors: Representatives Huneycutt, K. Hall, Chesser, and Rhyne (Primary Sponsors).
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
Referred to: Appropriations, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
March 11, 2025
*H351-v-1*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE RECOVERY-FRIENDLY WORKPLACE PROGRAM AND 2
APPROPRIATING FUNDS FOR THAT PURPOSE. 3
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 4
SECTION 1.(a) Definitions. – The following definitions apply in this act: 5
(1) Certified Recovery-Friendly Workplace. – A workplace that meets the criteria 6
for certification as established by this act, attains designation as certified by 7
the Recovery -Friendly Workplace Program, and receives written 8
documentation from the Program of such designation. 9
(2) Employee. – Any person who works for salary, wages, or other remuneration 10
for an employer subject to the provisions of this act and includes individuals 11
in managerial positions, those working for or on behalf of the State, 12
contractors, and individuals in work-from-home positions. 13
(3) Employer. – Any public or private person or entity that has one or more 14
employees who are residents of the State and who are covered by the State's 15
workers' compensation act or that conducts business in or within the State. 16
The term includes the State and any department, agency, or instrumentality of 17
the State; any county; any municipal corporation; and any employer that is 18
self-insured. 19
(4) Participant. – A workplace that meets the criteria for participant status as 20
established by this act, attains designation as a participant by the 21
Recovery-Friendly Workplace Program, and receives documentation from the 22
Program of such designation. 23
(5) Recovery. – A process of change through which individuals improve their 24
health and wellness, live a self -directed life, and strive to reach their full 25
potential. 26
(6) Recovery-Friendly Workplace Advisor. – An individual who is an employee 27
of or contractor for the Recovery -Friendly Workplace Program and whose 28
duties include ass isting employers through the process of becoming a 29
Recovery-Friendly Workplace participant or a certified Recovery -Friendly 30
Workplace. 31
SECTION 1.(b) Program Established. – There is established the Recovery-Friendly 32
Workplace Program (Program). The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services 33
shall task an appropriate professional organization with demonstrated expertise in promoting 34
recovery-supportive practices, engaging with employers, and implementing evidence -based 35
General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
Page 2 House Bill 351-First Edition
strategies to support individuals in recovery. The organization must have a proven track record 1
of working collaboratively with businesses and recovery communities across the State to foster 2
inclusive and supportive workplace environments. 3
The Program shall also prioritize collabora tion with an accredited Recovery 4
Community Organization (RCO) that has direct experience in implementing Recovery-Friendly 5
Workplace initiatives in North Carolina to ensure the successful integration of peer -driven 6
approaches and lived experience in the Program's design and execution. 7
At a minimum, the Program shall do all of the following: 8
(1) Develop a process for employers to apply to become Recovery -Friendly 9
Workplace participants or certified as a Recovery-Friendly Workplace; 10
(2) Develop an orientation process with training materials for new employers, 11
including information on the science of addiction, stigma reduction, and 12
evidence-based practices for supporting employees in recovery; 13
(3) Provide consultation, guidance, and support to employers seeking to become 14
participants or certified Recovery-Friendly Workplaces; 15
(4) Conduct outreach to key stakeholders within the State, including labor unions 16
and recovery support organizations; 17
(5) Hire or contract with Recovery-Friendly Workplace Advisors; 18
(6) Assign a Recovery -Friendly Workplace Advisor to each participating 19
employer; 20
(7) Provide certificates to participating employers; 21
(8) Develop a Program website with resources and information; 22
(9) Develop educational and training resources for employers and em ployees, 23
including materials on naloxone administration and overdose prevention; and 24
(10) Develop model Recovery-Friendly Workplace policies and procedures for use 25
by employers, including guidance on nondiscriminatory hiring practices and 26
reasonable accommodations. 27
SECTION 1.(c) Requirements. – An employer may choose to participate as a 28
participant or as a certified Recovery-Friendly Workplace: 29
(1) To become a participant, an employer must do all of the following: 30
a. Submit a letter of intent; 31
b. Complete the orientation process; 32
c. Prepare a Recovery-Friendly Workplace pledge; and 33
d. Notify all employees and board members of the intent to become a 34
participant. 35
(2) To become certified as a Recovery-Friendly Workplace, an employer must do 36
all of the following: 37
a. Complete all steps for becoming a participant. 38
b. Complete a standardized assessment of current policies and practices. 39
c. Establish a framework for setting and pursuing workplace 40
improvements that support recovery-friendly practices, with flexibility 41
to adapt goals as needed. 42
d. Implement evidence -informed policies to support employees in 43
recovery, including flexible leave policies and confidential access to 44
treatment and recovery services. 45
SECTION 1.(d) Certification. – The Program shall recognize certified 46
Recovery-Friendly Workplaces through press releases and/or Program-sponsored events. 47
SECTION 1.(e) Renewal. – Employers must complete an annual review process to 48
maintain their status, including: 49
(1) Reviewing activities from the past year to as sess alignment with 50
recovery-friendly practices. 51
General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025
House Bill 351-First Edition Page 3
(2) Identifying opportunities for continued improvement and updating workplace 1
strategies accordingly. 2
(3) Completing a Program satisfaction survey. 3
SECTION 2. Appropriation. – There is appropriated from th e Opioid Settlement 4
Fund the sum of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000) for the 2025 -2026 fiscal year to 5
implement the Recovery -Friendly Workplace Program. These funds shall be allocated to the 6
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services for the purpose of subcontracting with 7
a qualified professional organization, as outlined in this act, to oversee and administer the 8
program. 9
SECTION 3. Effective Date. – This act becomes effective July 1, 2025. 10