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S503 • 2025

A More Efficient Office of Vital Records.

A More Efficient Office of Vital Records.

Passed Legislature

This bill passed both chambers and reached final enrollment, even if later executive action is not shown here.

Sponsor
McInnis, Sawyer, Lazzara, Hanig, Johnson
Last action
2026-06-08
Official status
Re-ref to the Com on State and Local Government, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

A More Efficient Office of Vital Records.

S503-SMCJ-18(e1)-v-4 (2025-04-01): A More Efficient Office of Vital Records.

What This Bill Does

  • S503-SMCJ-18(e1)-v-4 (2025-04-01): A More Efficient Office of Vital Records.
  • S503-SMDC-15(e1)-v-3 (2025-04-30): A More Efficient Office of Vital Records.
  • S503-SMDC-31(e2)-v-2 (2025-05-01): A More Efficient Office of Vital Records.

Limits and Unknowns

  • This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

Filed

Plain English: 2025-2026 General Assembly SENATE BILL 503: A More Efficient Office of Vital Records.

  • 2025-2026 General Assembly SENATE BILL 503: A More Efficient Office of Vital Records.
  • Committee: Senate State and Local Government.
  • If favorable, re-refer to Health Care.
  • If favorable, re-refer to Rules and Operations of the Senate Date: April 1, 2025 Introduced by: Sens.
Filed

Plain English: 2025-2026 General Assembly SENATE BILL 503: A More Efficient Office of Vital Records.

  • 2025-2026 General Assembly SENATE BILL 503: A More Efficient Office of Vital Records.
  • Committee: Senate Health Care.
  • If favorable, re -refer to Rules and Operations of the Senate Date: April 30, 2025 Introduced by: Sens.
  • McInnis, Sawyer, Lazzara Prepared by: Stewart Sturkie Committee Co-Counsel Analysis of: First Edition Kara McCraw Director *S503-SMDC-15(e1)-v-3* Legislative Analysis Division 919-733-2578 This bill analysis was prepared by the nonpartisan legislative staff for the use of legislators in their deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
Filed

Plain English: 2025-2026 General Assembly SENATE BILL 503: A More Efficient Office of Vital Records.

  • 2025-2026 General Assembly SENATE BILL 503: A More Efficient Office of Vital Records.
  • Committee: Senate Rules and Operations of the Senate Date: May 1, 2025 Introduced by: Sens.
  • McInnis, Sawyer, Lazzara Prepared by: Stewart Sturkie Committee Co-Counsel Analysis of: Second Edition Kara McCraw Director *S503-SMDC-31(e2)-v-2* Legislative Analysis Division 919-733-2578 This bill analysis was prepared by the nonpartisan legislative staff for the use of legislators in their deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
  • OVERVIEW: Senate Bill 503 would require the Office of Vital Records and local register of deeds offices to process birth and death certificate amendments requests within 30 days after receipt of the completed application, required proof, and payment of the applicable fee.

Bill History

  1. 2026-06-08 House

    Re-ref to the Com on State and Local Government, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

  2. 2026-06-08 House

    Withdrawn From Com

  3. 2025-05-06 House

    Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

  4. 2025-05-06 House

    Passed 1st Reading

  5. 2025-05-06 House

    Special Message Received From Senate

  6. 2025-05-06 Senate

    Special Message Sent To House

  7. 2025-05-06 Senate

    Passed 3rd Reading

  8. 2025-05-06 Senate

    Passed 2nd Reading

  9. 2025-05-05 Senate

    Reptd Fav

  10. 2025-04-30 Senate

    Re-ref Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

  11. 2025-04-30 Senate

    Com Substitute Adopted

  12. 2025-04-30 Senate

    Reptd Fav Com Substitute

  13. 2025-04-01 Senate

    Re-ref Com On Health Care

  14. 2025-04-01 Senate

    Reptd Fav

  15. 2025-03-26 Senate

    Re-ref to State and Local Government. If fav, re-ref to Health Care. If fav, re-ref to Rules and Operations of the Senate

  16. 2025-03-26 Senate

    Withdrawn From Com

  17. 2025-03-26 Senate

    Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

  18. 2025-03-26 Senate

    Passed 1st Reading

  19. 2025-03-25 Senate

    Filed

Official Summary Text

S503-SMCJ-18(e1)-v-4
(2025-04-01): A More Efficient Office of Vital Records.
S503-SMDC-15(e1)-v-3
(2025-04-30): A More Efficient Office of Vital Records.
S503-SMDC-31(e2)-v-2
(2025-05-01): A More Efficient Office of Vital Records.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored 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 GRE ATER EFFICIENCY IN T HE OFFICE OF VITAL R ECORDS 2
BY ESTABLISHING A DE ADLINE FOR PROCESSIN G BIRTH AND DEATH 3
CERTIFICATE AMENDMEN T REQUESTS AND BY PR OHIBITING 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 He alth 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