Directs the State Controller to create the Pandemic Safety and Temporary Jobs Fund (Fund) in the General Fund to be administered by the Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) to fund the immediate creation of time-limited public employment opportunities associated with mitigating or responding to the pandemic. Directs the State Controller to transfer $500 million in nonrecurring funds from the Coronavirus Relief Reserve to the Fund for the 2019-20 fiscal year. Appropriates $500 million in nonrecurring funds from the Fund to OSBM for the 2019-20 fiscal year. Specifies that the funds remain available until December 30, 2020.

Directs OSBM to allocate the appropriated funds in the form of grants to the following specified public entities, subject to the federal CARES Act, for pandemic health and safety measures, to create temporary employment for mitigating or responding to the pandemic, and to provide teleworking and paid sick leave for current public employees: local governments; local boards of education, local community colleges, UNC, and the Community College System Office; public hospitals; public libraries; public health departments; sheriffs' departments; police departments; and public entities determined eligible by OSBM. Requires OSBM to establish a formula and protocol for awarding grants that will: create jobs with compensation set at at least $25,000 a year, annualized, for a time-limited period of 6-12 months with rate of pay at 80% of the average pay for the employer's same or similar jobs for full-time employees; provide availability of funds for all counties; prioritize the unemployed or underemployed; not displace or supplant current employees; and create up to 20,000 participant jobs. Requires strict adherence to the requirements of the federal CARES Act.

Grants the Division of Employment Security maximum flexibility in determining eligibility for unemployment benefits during the coronavirus pandemic to assist the unemployed and to help individuals return to suitable work. Mandates liberal construction. Expires December 31, 2020.