Labor & Employment (Workforce Development)

House Bill 859 proposes to prohibit counties and cities in North Carolina from establishing or enforcing guaranteed income programs. This directly affects local governments by restricting their ability to implement certain types of financial aid programs for their residents. The bill defines a "guaranteed income program" as one that issues unconditional cash payments to individuals on a regular basis for any purpose. However, it clarifies that programs requiring recipients to seek reemployment, perform work, or attend training are not included in this prohibition. This restriction would apply unless such programs are specifically authorized by other general or local laws.