AN ACT to enact the back‑to‑work integrity act.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  This act shall be known and may be cited as the Back‑to‑Work Integrity Act of 2021.

SECTION 2.  Article 2C of Chapter 96 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:

§ 96‑14.16.  Back‑to‑work integrity reporting requirement.

(a)        If an employer offers an individual employment during the work search required by G.S. 96‑14.9(b), and the claimant refuses the offer made by the employer, then the employer shall report this event to the Division in accordance with procedures adopted pursuant to this section.

(b)        The Division shall establish a process by which employers may report offers of employment.

(c)        The Division shall conduct an ongoing review of the enforcement and administrative steps appropriate to ensure that claimants who refuse offers of suitable work are disqualified under G.S. 96‑14.11.

(d)       Beginning September 1, 2021, and then quarterly thereafter, the Division shall report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Commission on Unemployment Insurance in compliance with this section.

SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.