North Carolina S988: Protecting Workers in the Age of AI Act.

What the bill says

An act to protect workers in the age of artificial intelligence and to appropriate funds for its implementation.

From the introduced text:

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO PROTECT WORKERS IN THE AGE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND TO APPROPRIATE FUNDS FOR ITS IMPLEMENTATION. The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: SECTION 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the "Protect Workers in the Age of AI Act." SECTION 2. Part 3B of Article 10 of Chapter 143B of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read: "§ 143B-438.14A. Artificial intelligence workforce transition and retraining. (a) There is established within the Department of Commerce the Artificial Intelligence Workforce Transition Program (Program) and the AI Workforce Transition Fund (Fund). (b) The purpose of the Program is to allocate funding to support workers displaced due to artificial intelligence or automation. Appropriations from the Fund shall be used for job retraining, credentialing programs, and workforce education. Funding shall be prioritized for training programs in health care, advanced manufacturing, infrastructure, and other skilled trades. (c) Employers receiving State economic incentives shall report to the Department layoffs attributable to automation or artificial intelligence. (d) The Department may engage in partnerships with community colleges, workforce boards, and apprenticeship programs to carry out the purposes of this section." SECTION 3. G.S. 115D-20 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read: "(16) To partner with the Department of Commerce to …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Batch, Sydney (D, 17) · primary sponsor
• Garrett, Michael (D, 27) · primary sponsor
• Theodros, Caleb (D, 41) · primary sponsor
• Murdock, Natalie S. (D, 20)
• Salvador, DeAndrea (D, 39)
• Smith, Kandie D. (D, 5)
• Waddell, Joyce (D, 40)

Latest actions

1. May 5, 2026: Re-ref Com On Appropriations/Base Budget
2. May 5, 2026: Withdrawn From Com
3. May 4, 2026: Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate
4. May 4, 2026: Passed 1st Reading
5. April 30, 2026: Filed

Common questions

What is S988?

S988 is a bill in the North Carolina Legislature (2025-2026 Session): Protecting Workers in the Age of AI Act.

What does S988 do?

In its own words: An act to protect workers in the age of artificial intelligence and to appropriate funds for its implementation.

What is the status of S988?

Introduced as of May 5, 2026. Latest action: Re-ref Com On Appropriations/Base Budget (May 5, 2026).

Who sponsored S988?

Batch, Sydney (D, 17), with 6 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for S988?

On the North Carolina Legislature website: https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/S988