Rep. Hawkins files paid bereavement leave bill in North Carolina House

A new bill filed by State Rep. Zack Hawkins in the North Carolina House aims to establish paid bereavement leave for eligible public employees across the state, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 1140 on April 29 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘State Employee Bereavement Leave/Up To 40 Hrs.’

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

In essence, this bill, effective July 1, 2026, creates paid bereavement leave for most state, public school and community college employees, including UNC, and directs the State Human Resources Commission and other governing boards to adopt detailed policies. It grants full-time employees up to 40 hours of paid leave after the death of an immediate family member and up to eight hours after the death of a colleague, with prorated leave for part-time workers. The bill defines eligible relationships, requires basic documentation, allows multiple uses with no annual cap, and bars cashing out or using the leave for retirement calculations. It appropriates $2 million for the 2026-27 fiscal year to fund the benefit.

Of the three sponsors of this bill, Hawkins proposed the most bills (57) 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.

Hawkins graduated from Elizabeth City State University with a BS.

Hawkins, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2019 to represent the state’s 31st House district, replacing previous state representative Henry Michaux, Jr..