AN ACT TO ALLOW FOR A PRESUMPTION OF DEATH IN INSTANCES WHERE THE DISAPPEARANCE AND CONTINUED ABSENCE OF A PERSON COINCIDES WITH A DISASTER DECLARATION AND TO PROMOTE GREATER EFFICIENCY IN THE OFFICE OF VITAL RECORDS BY ESTABLISHING A DEADLINE FOR PROCESSING BIRTH AND DEATH CERTIFICATE AMENDMENT REQUESTS AND BY PROHIBITING OFFICE OF VITAL RECORDS EMPLOYEES FROM TELEWORKING, EXCEPT AS NECESSARY DURING DECLARED EMERGENCIES. SL 2025-44. Enacted July 1, 2025. Effective July 1, 2025.
Bill Summaries: H537 ALENA'S LAW & OFFICE OF VITAL RECORDS CHANGES. (NEW)
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Tracking:
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Bill H 537 (2025-2026)Summary date: Jul 3 2025 - View Summary
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Bill H 537 (2025-2026)Summary date: Jun 17 2025 - View Summary
Senate committee substitute to the 1st edition adds the following content and makes conforming changes to the act’s titles.
Amends GS 130A-118 by adding the requirement that the Office of Vital Records and each local register of deeds office process each request for amendment of a certificate of birth or death within 30 calendar days after receiving the completed application, any required proof, and payment of any applicable fee for the amendment.
Prohibits employees (both permanent and temporary) of the Office of Vital Records from teleworking if doing so will adversely impact the time line provided above, unless telework is determined to be necessary by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services during any period of time when there is a declared disaster or emergency under GS Chapter 166A. Defines telework to mean to use the internet, email, or telephone to perform work duties at a location other than an assigned primary workstation.
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Bill H 537 (2025-2026)Summary date: Mar 26 2025 - View Summary
Amends GS 28C-1 to add new subsection (c), making a federal finding of presumed death prima face evidence to be considered by a judge in an action where a person’s death is at issue, and new subsection (d), making a disappearance and continued absence for at least 90 days during a disaster declaration a rebuttable presumption of the death of a person.
Amends GS 28C-2 to remove gendered language and add new subparagraph (b)(2a), adding a federal finding of presumed death and averment of disappearance and continued absence for at least 90 days during a disaster declaration to the list of items that should be included in a complaint for an action for receiver. Makes clarifying changes to the punctuation of subsection (b).