North Carolina SB 503: A More Efficient Office of Vital Records.

Bill Text

GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2025
S 2
SENATE BILL 503
Health Care Committee Substitute Adopted 4/30/25

Short Title: A More Efficient Office of Vital Records. (Public)
Sponsors:
Referred to:
March 26, 2025
*S503-v-2*
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED 1
AN ACT PROMOTING GREATER EFFICIENCY IN THE OFFICE OF VITAL RECORDS 2
BY ESTABLISHING A DEADLINE FOR PROCESSING BIRTH AND DEATH 3
CERTIFICATE AMENDMENT REQUESTS AND BY PROHIBITING OFFICE OF 4
VITAL RECORDS EMPLOYEES FROM TELEWORKING, EXCEPT AS NECESSARY 5
DURING DECLARED EMERGENCIES. 6
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: 7
SECTION 1.(a) G.S. 130A-118 is amended by adding a new subsection to read: 8
"(a1) The Office of Vital Records and each local register of deeds office shall process each 9
request for amendment of a certificate of birth or death within 30 calendar days after the date the 10
office receives the appropriate completed application, any required proof, and payment of any 11
applicable fee for the amendment." 12
SECTION 1.(b) Subsection (a) of this section applies to birth and death certificate 13
amendment requests made on or after the effective date of this act. 14
SECTION 2.(a) Notwithstanding any policy implemented by the Office of State 15
Human Resources or the Department of Health and Human Services, or any provision of State 16
law to the contrary, employees of the Office of Vital Records are not permitted to telework if 17
doing so will adversely impact the time line provided in G.S. 130A-118(a1), unless telework is 18
determined to be necessary by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services 19
during any period of time when there is a declared disaster or emergency pursuant to Chapter 20
166A of the General Statutes. As used in this section, the term "telework" means to use the 21
internet, email, or telephone to perform work duties at a location other than an assigned primary 22
workstation. 23
SECTION 2.(b) Subsection (a) of this section applies to all permanent and 24
temporary employees of the Office of Vital Records. 25
SECTION 3. This act is effective when it becomes law. 26