North CarolinaHB 2582025-2026 SessionHouse

AN ACT TO INCREASE THE PUNISHMENT FOR COMMITTING AN ASSAULT AGAINST A UTILITY OR COMMUNICATIONS WORKER.

Sponsored By: Sarah Crawford (Democratic), B. Ray Jeffers (Democratic), Kyle Hall (Republican), Charles W. Miller (Republican)

Signed by Governor

ASSAULTCOUNCIL OF STATECRIMESDISCRIMINATIONINFRASTRUCTUREINVESTIGATIONSLABOR DEPT

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Workers get clearer complaint steps

Beginning June 22, 2026, your retaliation complaint must include your contact info and your employer, HR, and supervisor contacts. It must name the protected activity and include Form 18 if you filed one. It must include a signed statement of facts about the retaliation, any facts that could show a legitimate reason, and the date of the most recent action. File on the Labor Department form online, by mail, or by email within 180 days. If you file in time but it is incomplete, you get 30 days to finish after the Department notifies you. If someone else (not your lawyer) files, they must include your signed, written okay. The Commissioner sends your full complaint to your employer within 20 days and may start an investigation. Extra attachments are not used, are destroyed, and are not public records. The Commissioner makes a decision as soon as possible, but no later than 90 days after you file.

Employers get 7 days to respond

Beginning June 22, 2026, employers and other respondents can file a position statement within 7 days of getting the complaint. Use it to outline defenses. The Commissioner can start investigating before any response. All deadlines use the state’s standard time‑counting rule (Rule 6).

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Cosponsors

Jonathan L. Almond
Republican • House
Vernetta Alston
Democratic • House
Dean Arp
Republican • House
Amber M. Baker
Democratic • House
Jennifer Balkcom
Republican • House
Brian Biggs
Republican • House
Hugh Blackwell
Republican • House
John M. Blust
Republican • House
Jerry "Alan" Branson
Republican • House
William D. Brisson
Republican • House
Cecil Brockman
Democratic • House
Allen Buansi
Democratic • House
Laura Budd
Democratic • House
Deb Butler
Democratic • House
Celeste C. Cairns
Republican • House
Becky Carney
Democratic • House
Todd Carver
Republican • House
Maria Cervania
Democratic • House
Tracy Clark
Democratic • House
Bryan Cohn
Democratic • House
Mike Colvin
Democratic • House
Allison A. Dahle
Democratic • House
Brian Echevarria
Republican • House
Frances Jackson, PhD
Democratic • House
Gloristine Brown
Democratic • House
Garland E. Pierce
Democratic • House
Julia Greenfield
Democratic • House
Pricey Harrison
Democratic • House
Zack Hawkins
Democratic • House
Beth Helfrich
Democratic • House
Julia C. Howard
Republican • House
Cody Huneycutt
Republican • House
Jake Johnson
Republican • House
Keith Kidwell
Republican • House
Donny Lambeth
Republican • House
Ya Liu
Democratic • House
Donnie Loftis
Republican • House
Carolyn G. Logan
Democratic • House
Jordan Lopez
Democratic • House
Nasif Majeed
Independent • House
Jeffrey C. McNeely
Republican • House
Marcia Morey
Democratic • House
Neal Jackson
Republican • House
Dante Pittman
Democratic • House
Renée A. Price
Democratic • House
A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr.
Republican • House
Rodney D. Pierce
Democratic • House
Timothy Reeder, MD
Republican • House
Dennis Riddell
Republican • House
Phil Rubin
Democratic • House
Mitchell S. Setzer
Republican • House
Bill Ward
Republican • House
Sam Watford
Republican • House
Diane Wheatley
Republican • House
Donna McDowell White
Republican • House
Shelly Willingham
Democratic • House
Jeff Zenger
Republican • House
Julie von Haefen
Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 378 • No: 5

House vote • 6/16/2026

HB 258: Worker Safety Act of 2026.

Yes: 108 • No: 5 • Other: 4

Senate vote • 6/9/2026

HB 258: Worker Safety Act of 2026.

Yes: 46 • No: 0 • Other: 4

House vote • 4/9/2025

HB 258: Utility Worker Protection Act.

Yes: 112 • No: 0 • Other: 6