Big changes for state workers and government hiring

In July, Gov. Josh Stein signed a bill that makes big changes to the laws governing state government employment. He says the laws largely haven’t been updated since the 1960s. Among the changes. state employees will find a faster hiring process, more parental leave and bereavement benefits. The bill passed the legislature unanimously, thanks in part to a bipartisan group of lawmakers and advocacy from the state’s top human resources official in Stein’s administration. Staci Meyer, director of the Office of State Human Resources, joined WUNC News' Colin Campbell to discuss the bill and how it will address the high job vacancy rates across state agencies.