Article 15.

Equal Employment and Compensation Opportunity.

§ 126A-15-1.  Equal opportunity for employment and compensation by executive branch agencies and local political subdivisions.

All executive branch agencies and all local political subdivisions of the State shall give equal opportunity for employment and compensation, without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, or genetic information to all persons otherwise qualified.  (2026-40, s. 1.)

§ 126A-15-2.  Equal employment opportunity training.

Each executive branch agency shall enroll each newly appointed supervisor or manager within one year of appointment in the Equal Employment Opportunity training offered or approved by OSHR.  (2026-40, s. 1.)

§ 126A-15-3.  Retaliation by executive branch agencies and local political subdivisions.

No agency or local political subdivision of the State shall retaliate against an employee for protesting alleged violations of G.S. 126A-15-1.  (2026-40, s. 1.)

§ 126A-15-4.  Equal employment opportunity plans; reports; maintenance of services.

(a) Each member of the Council of State under G.S. 143A-11, each of the principal departments enumerated in G.S. 143B-6, and The University of North Carolina shall develop and submit to the Director for review and approval on or before March 1 annually an Equal Employment Opportunity plan which shall include goals and programs that provide positive measures to assure equitable and fair representation of North Carolina's citizens.

(b) The Director shall provide services of Equal Employment Opportunity technical assistance, training, oversight, monitoring, evaluation, support programs, and reporting to assure that the State government's workforce is diverse at all occupational levels. These services shall be provided by qualified personnel.  (2026-40, s. 1.)