A new bill filed by State Rep. Heather H. Rhyne in the North Carolina House seeks to promote recovery-friendly workplaces by encouraging supportive practices and reducing stigma in employment settings, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 351 on March 10 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Recovery-Friendly Workplace Program/Funds.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill establishes the Recovery-Friendly Workplace Program to support individuals in recovery by promoting inclusive workplace environments in North Carolina. The program, led by the Department of Health and Human Services, encourages public and private employers to become participants or certified as Recovery-Friendly Workplaces. Employers will receive guidance on fostering recovery-supportive practices, with an emphasis on reducing stigma, using evidence-based strategies, and implementing nondiscriminatory hiring and support policies. Key components include applying a formal orientation process, assigning Recovery-Friendly Workplace Advisors, and developing resources, such as education materials on naloxone administration. The program will be funded with $300,000 from the Opioid Settlement Fund for the 2025-26 fiscal year. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Kyle Hall, Allen Chesser, and Cody Huneycutt proposed the most bills (15) 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.
Rhyne graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1998.
Rhyne, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2024 to represent the state’s 97th House district, replacing previous state representative Jason Saine.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Chesser, Cody Huneycutt, and Kyle Hall | HB 351 | 03/10/2025 | Recovery-Friendly Workplace Program/Funds. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Charles W. Miller, and Cody Huneycutt | HB 330 | 03/06/2025 | Controlled Substances Act – Updates. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Dean Arp, Donny Lambeth, and Erin Paré | HB 309 | 03/05/2025 | Various Local Provisions VI. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Howard Penny, Jr., Jonathan L. Almond, and Paul Scott | HB 239 | 02/26/2025 | Change to EC Funding Formula. |
| Heather H. Rhyne and Jeffrey C. McNeely | HB 190 | 02/24/2025 | SchCal Mandatory Winter Break/Date Adjustment. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Cody Huneycutt, Hugh Blackwell, and Jarrod Lowery | HB 163 | 02/21/2025 | Pharmacy Benefits Manager Provisions. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Buansi, Grant L. Campbell, MD, and Jarrod Lowery | HB 145 | 02/17/2025 | Funds for Diabetes Research Institute/UNC-CH. |
| Heather H. Rhyne, Allen Chesser, Brenden H. Jones, and Jay Adams | HB 35 | 02/03/2025 | Establish Military Appreciation Month. |
| Heather H. Rhyne | HB 41 | 02/03/2025 | Lincoln/Catawba Common Boundary Line. |
