AN ACT TO increase the minimum hourly compensation rate for NONCERTIFIED PUBLIC SCHOOL EMPLOYEES to FIFTEEN DOLLARS per hour and to provide legislative compensation increases to noncertified public school employees.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.(a)  For the 2021‑2022 fiscal year, beginning July 1, 2021, the minimum hourly compensation rate for all noncertified public school employees shall be fifteen dollars ($15.00) per hour. The State Board of Education shall increase the minimum of all salary grades and ranges it maintains for noncertified public school employees, as necessary, to achieve a minimum hourly compensation rate of fifteen dollars ($15.00) per hour.

SECTION 1.(b)  For the 2021‑2022 fiscal year, beginning July 1, 2021, the annual salary for noncertified public school employees whose salaries are supported from State funds shall be increased as follows:

(1)        For permanent, full‑time employees on a 12‑month contract, by the greater of the following:

a.         Two percent (2%).

b.         An amount necessary to increase the minimum hourly compensation rate of the employee to fifteen dollars ($15.00) per hour.

(2)        For the following employees, by a prorated and equitable amount based on the amounts specified in subdivision (1) of this section:

a.         Permanent, full‑time employees on a contract for fewer than 12 months.

b.         Permanent, part‑time employees.

c.         Temporary and permanent hourly employees.

SECTION 2.  Funds provided to raise salaries for noncertified public school employees pursuant to this act may be used to supplement the salaries of noncertified public school employees whose salaries are supported from non‑State funds. These funds shall not be used to supplant State or non‑State funds already provided for salaries of noncertified public school employees.

SECTION 3.  There is appropriated from the General Fund to the Department of Public Instruction the sum of one hundred twenty‑four million dollars ($124,000,000) in recurring funds for the 2021‑2022 fiscal year to implement the provisions of this act.

SECTION 4.  This act becomes effective July 1, 2021.