A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to provide for the clerk to appoint an interim guardian ad litem on the clerk's own motion; to provide for the clerk to extend the time for filing inventory in the property of the deceased; to provide for issuance of an order for an arrest when a person fails to APPEAR after being served with a show cause in a civil proceeding; to amend how costs in administration of estates are assessed; to allow for TEMPORARY assistance for district attorneys when there is a CONFLICT of interest; and to amend other statutes governing the general court of justice, as recommended by the north carolina administrative office of the courts.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 1A‑1, Rule 5(e), reads as rewritten:
"Rule 5. Service and filing of pleadings and other papers.
…
(e)	(1)	Filing with the court defined. – The filing of pleadings and other papers with the court as required by these rules shall be made by filing them with the clerk of the court, pursuant to the rules promulgated under G.S. 7A‑109 or subsection (e)(2) hereunder, except that the judge may permit the papers to be filed with him, in which event he shall note thereon the filing date and forthwith transmit them to the office of the clerk.
(2)	Filing by electronic means. – If, pursuant to G.S. 7A‑34, G.S. 7A‑49.5, and G.S. 7A‑343, the Supreme Court and the Administrative Officer of the Courts establish uniform rules, regulations, costs, procedures and specifications for the filing of pleadings or other court papers by electronic means, filing may be made by the electronic means when, in the manner, and to the extent provided therein.
(3)	The failure to affix a date stamp or file stamp on any order or judgment filed in a civil action, estate proceeding, or special proceeding shall not affect the sufficiency, validity, or enforceability of the order or judgment if the clerk or the court, after giving the parties adequate notice and opportunity to be heard, enters the order or judgment nunc pro tunc to the date of filing."
SECTION 2.  G.S. 1A‑1, Rule 58, reads as rewritten:
"Rule 58. Entry of judgment.
Subject to the provisions of Rule 54(b), a judgment is entered when it is reduced to writing, signed by the judge, and filed with the clerk of court pursuant to Rule 5. The party designated by the judge or, if the judge does not otherwise designate, the party who prepares the judgment, shall serve a copy of the judgment upon all other parties within three days after the judgment is entered. Service and proof of service shall be in accordance with Rule 5. If service is by mail, three days shall be added to the time periods prescribed by Rule 50(b), Rule 52(b), and Rule 59. All time periods within which a party may further act pursuant to Rule 50(b), Rule 52(b), or Rule 59 shall be tolled for the duration of any period of noncompliance with this service requirement, provided however that no time period under Rule 50(b), Rule 52(b), or Rule 59 shall be tolled longer than 90 days from the date the judgment is entered. Subject to the provisions of Rule 7(b)(4), consent for the signing and entry of a judgment out of term, session, county, and district shall be deemed to have been given unless an express objection to such action was made on the record prior to the end of the term or session at which the matter was heard.
Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, any judgment entered by a magistrate in a small claims action pursuant to Article 19 of Chapter 7A shall be entered in accordance with this Rule except judgments announced and signed in open court at the conclusion of a trial are considered to be served on the parties, and copies of any judgment not announced and signed in open court at the conclusion of a trial shall be served by the magistrate on all parties in accordance with this Rule, within three days after the judgment is entered. If service is by mail, three days shall be added to the time periods prescribed by G.S. 7A‑228. All time periods within which a party may further act pursuant to G.S. 7A‑228 shall be tolled for the duration of any period of noncompliance of this service requirement, provided that no time period shall be tolled longer than 90 days from the date judgment is entered."
SECTION 3.  G.S. 28A‑9‑2(a) reads as rewritten:
"§ 28A‑9‑2.  Summary revocation.
(a)	Grounds. – Letters testamentary, letters of administration, or letters of collection, shall be revoked by the clerk of superior court without hearing when:
(1)	After letters of administration or collection have been issued, a will is subsequently admitted to probate.
(2)	After letters testamentary have been issued:
a.	The will is set aside, or
b.	A subsequent testamentary paper revoking the appointment of the executor is admitted to probate.
(3)	Any personal representative or collector required to give a new bond or furnish additional security pursuant to G.S. 28A‑8‑3 fails to do so within the time ordered.
(4)	A nonresident personal representative refuses or fails to obey any citation, notice, or process served on that nonresident personal representative or the process agent of the nonresident personal representative.
(5)	A trustee in bankruptcy, liquidating agent, or receiver has been appointed for any personal representative or collector, or any personal representative or collector has executed an assignment for the benefit of creditors.
(6)	A personal representative has failed to file an inventory or an annual account with the clerk of superior court, as required by Article 20 and Article 21 of this Chapter, and proceedings to compel such filing pursuant to G.S. 28A‑20‑2 or 28A‑21‑4 cannot be had because service cannot be completed because the personal representative cannot be found.
(7)	A personal representative or collector is a licensed attorney, and the clerk is in receipt of an order entered pursuant to G.S. 84‑28 enjoining, suspending, or disbarring the attorney."
SECTION 4.  G.S. 35A‑1290 reads as rewritten:
"§ 35A‑1290.  Removal by Clerk.
…
(b)	It is the clerk's duty to remove a guardian or to take other action sufficient to protect the ward's interests in the following cases:
(1)	The guardian wastes the ward's money or estate or converts it to his own use.
(2)	The guardian in any manner mismanages the ward's estate.
(3)	The guardian neglects to care for or maintain the ward or his dependents in a suitable manner.
(4)	The guardian or his sureties are likely to become insolvent or to become nonresidents of the State.
(5)	The original appointment was made on the basis of a false representation or a mistake.
(6)	The guardian has violated a fiduciary duty through default or misconduct.
(7)	The guardian has a private interest, whether direct or indirect, that might tend to hinder or be adverse to carrying out his duties as guardian.
	
(8)	The guardian has been adjudged incompetent by a court of competent jurisdiction and has not been restored to competence.
(9)	The guardian has been convicted of a felony under the laws of the United States or of any state or territory of the United States or of the District of Columbia and his citizenship has not been restored.
(10)	The guardian was originally unqualified for appointment and continues to be unqualified, or the guardian would no longer qualify for appointment as guardian due to a change in residence, a change in the charter of a corporate guardian, or any other reason.
(11)	The guardian is the ward's spouse and has lost his rights as provided by Chapter 31A of the General Statutes.
(12)	The guardian fails to post, renew, or increase a bond as required by law or by order of the court.
(13)	The guardian refuses or fails without justification to obey any citation, notice, or process served on him in regard to the guardianship.
(14)	The guardian fails to file required accountings with the clerk.
(15)	The clerk finds the guardian unsuitable to continue serving as guardian for any reason.
(16)	The guardian is a nonresident of the State and refuses or fails to obey any citation, notice, or process served on the guardian or the guardian's process agent.
(17)	The guardian is a licensed attorney, and the clerk is in receipt of an order entered pursuant to G.S. 84‑28 enjoining, suspending, or disbarring the attorney."
SECTION 5.  G.S. 30‑17 reads as rewritten:
"§ 30‑17.  When children entitled to an allowance.
Whenever any parent dies survived by any child under the age of 18 years, including an adopted child or a child with whom the widow may be pregnant at the death of her husband, or a child who is less than 22 years of age and is a full‑time student in any educational institution, or a child under 21 years of age who has been declared mentally incompetent, or a child under 21 years of age who is totally disabled, or any other person under the age of 18 years residing with the deceased parent at the time of death to whom the deceased parent or the surviving parent stood in loco parentis, every such child shall be entitled to receive an allowance of five thousand dollars ($5,000) for the child's support for the year next ensuing the death of the parent. The allowance shall be in addition to the child's share of the deceased parent's estate and shall be exempt from any lien by judgment or execution against the property of the deceased parent. The personal representative of the deceased parent shall, within one year after the parent's death, assign to every such child the allowance herein provided for; but if there is no personal representative or if the personal representative fails or refuses to act within 10 days after written application by a guardian or next friend on behalf of the child, the allowance may be assigned by a magistrate or clerk of court upon application.
If the child resides with the surviving spouse of the deceased parent at the time the allowance is paid, the allowance shall be paid to the surviving spouse for the benefit of the child. If the child resides with its surviving parent who is other than the surviving spouse of the deceased parent, the allowance shall be paid to the surviving parent for the use and benefit of the child. The payment shall be made regardless of whether the deceased died testate or intestate or whether the surviving spouse petitioned for an elective share under Article 1A of Chapter 30 of the General Statutes. Provided, however, the allowance shall not be available to a deceased father's child born out of wedlock, unless the deceased father has recognized the paternity of the child by deed, will, or other paper‑writing, or unless the deceased father died prior to or within one year after the birth of the child and is established to have been the father of the child by DNA testing. If the child does not reside with a surviving spouse or a surviving parent when the allowance is paid, the allowance shall be paid to the child's general guardian or guardian of the estate, if any, and if none, to the clerk of the superior court who shall receive and disburse the allowance for the benefit of the child."
SECTION 6.  G.S. 35A‑1114 reads as rewritten:
"§ 35A‑1114.  Appointment of interim guardian.
(a)	At the time of or subsequent to the filing of a petition under this Article, the petitioner or guardian ad litem may also file a verified motion with the clerk seeking the appointment of an interim guardian.
(b)	The motion filed by the petitioner or guardian ad litem shall set forth facts tending to show:
(1)	That there is reasonable cause to believe that the respondent is incompetent, and
(2)	One or both of the following:
a.	That the respondent is in a condition that constitutes or reasonably appears to constitute an imminent or foreseeable risk of harm to his physical well‑being and that requires immediate intervention;
b.	That there is or reasonably appears to be an imminent or foreseeable risk of harm to the respondent's estate that requires immediate intervention in order to protect the respondent's interest, and
(3)	That the respondent needs an interim guardian to be appointed immediately to intervene on his behalf prior to the adjudication hearing.
(c)	Upon filing of the motion for appointment of an interim guardian by the petitioner or the guardian ad litem, the clerk shall immediately set a date, time, and place for a hearing on the motion. The motion and a notice setting the date, time, and place for the hearing shall be served promptly on the respondent and on his counsel or guardian ad litem and other persons the clerk may designate. The hearing shall be held as soon as possible but no later than 15 days after the motion has been served on the respondent.
(c1)	The motion and notice setting the date, time, and place for the hearing shall be served promptly on the petitioner, the respondent and on his counsel or guardian ad litem, and other persons the clerk may designate. The hearing shall be held as soon as possible but not later than 15 days after the motion has been served on the respondent.
…."
SECTION 7.  G.S. 35A‑1112 reads as rewritten:
"§ 35A‑1112.  Hearing on petition; adjudication order.
…
(b1)	At the hearing on the petition, on the clerk's own motion, the clerk may appoint an interim guardian pursuant to G.S. 35A‑1114(d) and (e) if the clerk determines such an appointment to be in the best interests of the respondent.
…."
SECTION 8.  G.S. 28A‑20‑1 reads as rewritten:
"§ 28A‑20‑1.  Inventory within three months.
Unless the time for filing the inventory has been extended by the clerk of superior court, every personal representative and collector, within three months after the qualification of that personal representative or collector, shall return to the clerk, on oath, a just, true and perfect inventory of all the real and personal property of the deceased, which have come to the hands of the personal representative or collector, or to the hands of any person for the personal representative or collector, which inventory shall be signed by the personal representative or collector and be recorded by the clerk."
SECTION 9.  G.S. 28A‑21‑1 reads as rewritten:
"§ 28A‑21‑1.  Annual accounts.
Until the final account has been filed pursuant to G.S. 28A‑21‑2, the personal representative or collector shall, for so long as any of the property of the estate remains in the control, custody or possession of the personal representative or collector, file annually in the office of the clerk of superior court an inventory and account, under oath, of the amount of property received by the personal representative or collector, or invested by the personal representative or collector, and the manner and nature of such investment, and the receipts and disbursements of the personal representative or collector for the past year. Such accounts shall be due 30 days after the expiration of one year from the date of qualification of the personal representative or collector, or if a fiscal year is selected by the fifteenth day of the fourth month after the close of the fiscal year selected by the personal representative or collector, and annually on the same date thereafter. The election of a fiscal year shall be made by the personal representative or collector upon filing of the first annual account. In no event may a personal representative or collector select a fiscal year‑end which is more than twelve months from the date of death of the decedent or, in the case of trust administration, the date of the opening of the trust. Any fiscal year selected may not be changed without the permission of the clerk of superior court.
The personal representative or collector shall produce vouchers for all payments or verified proof for payments in lieu of vouchers. The clerk of superior court may examine, under oath, such accounting party, or any other person, concerning the receipts, disbursements or any other matter relating to the estate. The clerk of superior court must carefully review and audit such account and, if the clerk approves the account, the clerk must endorse the approval of the clerk thereon, which shall be prima facie evidence of correctness, and cause the same to be recorded."
SECTION 10.  G.S. 28A‑21‑2 reads as rewritten:
"§ 28A‑21‑2.  Final accounts.
(a)	Unless the time for filing the final account has been extended by the clerk of superior court, the personal representative or collector must file the final account for settlement within one year after qualifying or within six months after receiving a State estate or inheritance tax release, or in the time period for filing an annual account pursuant to G.S. 28A‑21‑1, whichever is later. If no estate or inheritance tax return was required to be filed for the estate, the personal representative or collector shall so certify in the final account filed with the clerk of superior court. Such certification shall list the amount and value of all of the decedent's property, and with respect to real estate, its particular location within or outside the State, including any property transferred by the decedent over which the decedent had retained any interest, or any property transferred within three years prior to the date of the decedent's death, and after being filed and accepted by the clerk of superior court shall be prima facie evidence that such property is free of any State inheritance or State estate tax liability. The personal representative or collector shall produce vouchers for all payments or verified proof for all payments in lieu of vouchers. With the approval of the clerk of superior court, such account may be filed voluntarily at any time. In all cases, the accounting shall be reviewed, audited and recorded by the clerk of superior court in the manner prescribed in G.S. 28A‑21‑1.
(a1)	If no estate or inheritance tax return was required to be filed for the estate, the personal representative or collector shall so certify in the final account filed with the clerk of superior court. Such certification shall list the amount and value of all of the decedent's property and, with respect to real estate, its particular location within or outside the State, including any property transferred by the decedent over which the decedent had retained any interest, or any property transferred within three years prior to the date of the decedent's death, and, after being filed and accepted by the clerk of superior court, shall be prima facie evidence that such property is free from any State inheritance or State estate tax liability. This subsection only applies to estates of decedents who died before January 1, 2013.
(a2)	The personal representative or collector shall produce vouchers for all payments or verified proof for all payments in lieu of vouchers. With the approval of the clerk of superior court, such account may be filed voluntarily at any time. In all cases, the accounting shall be reviewed, audited, and recorded by the clerk of superior court in the manner prescribed by G.S. 28A‑21‑1.
(b)	Except as provided in subsection (a), after the date specified in the general notice to creditors as provided for in G.S. 28A‑14‑1, if all of the debts and other claims against the estate of the decedent duly presented and legally owing have been paid in the case of a solvent estate or satisfied pro rata according to applicable statutes in the case of an insolvent estate, the personal representative or collector may file the personal representative's or collector's final account to be reviewed, audited and recorded by the clerk of superior court. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as limiting the right of the surviving spouse or minor children to file for allowances under G.S. 30‑15 through 30‑18 and the right of a surviving spouse to file for property rights under G.S. 29‑30."
SECTION 11.  G.S. 5A‑23(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b)	Except when the clerk of superior court has original subject matter jurisdiction and issued the order or when the General Statutes specifically provide for the exercise of contempt power by the clerk of superior court, proceedings under this section are before a district court judge, unless a court superior to the district court issued the order in which case the proceedings are before that court. When the proceedings are before a superior court, venue is in the superior court district or set of districts as defined in G.S. 7A‑41.1 of the court which issued the order. Otherwise, venue is in the county where the order was issued."
SECTION 12.  G.S. 15A‑305(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b)	When Issued. – An order for arrest may be issued when:
(1)	A grand jury has returned a true bill of indictment against a defendant who is not in custody and who has not been released from custody pursuant to Article 26 of this Chapter, Bail, to answer to the charges in the bill of indictment.
(2)	A defendant who has been arrested and released from custody pursuant to Article 26 of this Chapter, Bail, fails to appear as required.
(3)	The defendant has failed to appear as required by a duly executed criminal summons issued pursuant to G.S. 15A‑303 or a citation issued by a law enforcement officer or other person authorized by statute pursuant to G.S. 15A‑302 that charged the defendant with a misdemeanor.
(4)	A defendant has violated the conditions of probation.
(5)	In any criminal proceeding in which the defendant has become subject to the jurisdiction of the court, it becomes necessary to take the defendant into custody.
(6)	It is authorized by G.S. 15A‑803 in connection with material witness proceedings.
(7)	The common‑law writ of capias has heretofore been issuable, including when a person fails to appear after being served with a show cause order in a civil contempt proceeding.
(8)	When a defendant fails to appear as required in a show cause order issued in a criminal proceeding.
(9)	It is authorized by G.S. 5A‑16 in connection with contempt proceedings."
SECTION 13.  G.S. 7A‑307 reads as rewritten:
"§ 7A‑307.  Costs in administration of estates.
(a)	In the administration of the estates of decedents, minors, incompetents, of missing persons, and of trusts under wills and under powers of attorney, in trust proceedings under G.S. 36C‑2‑203, in estate proceedings under G.S. 28A‑2‑4, and in collections of personal property by affidavit, the following costs shall be assessed:
(1)	For the use of the courtroom and related judicial facilities, the sum of ten dollars ($10.00), to be remitted to the county. Funds derived from the facilities fees shall be used in the same manner, for the same purposes, and subject to the same restrictions, as facilities fees assessed in criminal actions.
(1a)	For the upgrade, maintenance, and operation of the judicial and county courthouse telecommunications and data connectivity, the sum of four dollars ($4.00), to be credited to the Court Information Technology Fund.
(2)	For support of the General Court of Justice, the sum of one hundred six dollars ($106.00), plus an additional forty cents (40¢) per one hundred dollars ($100.00), or major fraction thereof, of the gross estate, not to exceed six thousand dollars ($6,000). Gross estate shall include the fair market value of all personalty when received, and all proceeds from the sale of realty coming into the hands of the fiduciary, but shall not include the value of realty. In collections of personal property by affidavit, the fee based on the gross estate shall be computed from the information in the final affidavit of collection made pursuant to G.S. 28A‑25‑3 and shall be paid when that affidavit is filed. In all other cases, this fee shall be computed from the information reported in the inventory. If additional gross estate, including income, comes into the hands of the fiduciary after the filing of the inventory, the fee for such additional value shall be computed from the information reported in the account or report disclosing such additional value. For each filing the minimum fee shall be fifteen dollars ($15.00). Sums collected under this subdivision shall be remitted to the State Treasurer. The State Treasurer shall remit the sum of one dollar and fifty cents ($1.50) of each one hundred six‑dollar ($106.00) General Court of Justice fee collected under this subdivision to the North Carolina State Bar for the provision of services described in G.S. 7A‑474.4.
(2a)	Notwithstanding subdivision (2) of this subsection, the fee of forty cents (40¢) per one hundred dollars ($100.00), or major fraction, of the gross estate, not to exceed six thousand dollars ($6,000), shall not be assessed on personalty received by a trust under a will when the estate of the decedent was administered under Chapters 28 or 28A of the General Statutes. Instead, a fee of twenty dollars ($20.00) shall be assessed on the filing of each annual and final account. However, the fee shall be assessed only on newly contributed or acquired assets, all interest or other income that accrues or is earned on or with respect to any existing or newly contributed or acquired assets, and realized gains on the sale of any and all trust assets. Newly contributed or acquired assets do not include assets acquired by the sale, transfer, exchange, or otherwise of the amount of trust property on which fees were previously assessed.
(2b)	Notwithstanding subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, no costs shall be assessed when the estate is administered or settled pursuant to G.S. 28A‑25‑6.
(2c)	Notwithstanding subdivision (2) of this subsection, the fee of forty cents (40¢) per one hundred dollars ($100.00), or major fraction, of the gross estate shall not be assessed on the gross estate of a trust that is the subject of a proceeding under G.S. 36C‑2‑203 if there is no requirement in the trust that accountings be filed with the clerk.
(2d)	Notwithstanding subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, the only cost assessed in connection with the qualification of a limited personal representative under G.S. 28A‑29‑1 shall be a fee of twenty dollars ($20.00) to be assessed upon the filing of the petition.
(3)	For probate of a will without qualification of a personal representative, the clerk shall assess a facilities fee as provided in subdivision (1) of this subsection and shall assess for support of the General Court of Justice, the sum of twenty dollars ($20.00).
(4)	For the support of the General Court of Justice, the sum of twenty dollars ($20.00) shall accompany any filing of a notice of hearing on a motion not listed in G.S. 7A‑308 that is filed with the clerk. No costs shall be assessed to a notice of hearing on a motion containing as a sole claim for relief the taxing of costs, including attorneys' fees, or to a motion filed pursuant to G.S. 1C‑1602 or G.S. 1C‑1603. No more than one fee shall be assessed for any motion for which a notice of hearing is filed, regardless of whether the hearing is continued, rescheduled, or otherwise delayed.
(5)	For the filing of a caveat to a will, the clerk shall assess for support of the General Court of Justice, the sum of two hundred dollars ($200.00).
(6)	Notwithstanding subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, the only cost assessed in connection with the reopening of an estate administration under G.S. 28A‑23‑5 shall be forty cents (40¢) per one hundred dollars ($100.00), or major fraction, of any additional gross estate, including income, coming into the hands of the fiduciary after the estate is reopened; provided that the total cost assessed when added to the total cost assessed in all prior administrations of the estate shall not exceed six thousand dollars ($6,000).
(b)	In collections of personal property by affidavit, the facilities fee and thirty dollars ($30.00) of the General Court of Justice fee shall be paid at the time of filing the qualifying affidavit pursuant to G.S. 28A‑25‑1. If the sole asset of the estate is a cause of action, these fees shall be paid at the time of the qualification of the fiduciary.
(b1)	The clerk shall assess the following miscellaneous fees:
(1)	Filing and indexing a will with no probate
– first page	$  1.00
– each additional page or fraction thereof	 .25
(2)	Issuing letters to fiduciaries, per letter over five letters issued	1.00
(3)	Inventory of safe deposits of a decedent, per box, per day	15.00
(4)	Taking a deposition	10.00
(5)	Docketing and indexing a will probated in another county in the State
– first page	6.00
– each additional page or fraction thereof	 .25
(6)	Hearing petition for year's allowance to surviving spouse or child,
in cases not assigned to a magistrate, and allotting the same	8.00
(c)	The following additional expenses, when incurred, are also assessable or recoverable, as the case may be:
(1)	Witness fees, as provided by law.
(2)	Counsel fees, as provided by law.
(3)	Costs on appeal, of the original transcript of testimony, if any, insofar as essential to the appeal.
(4)	Fees for personal service of civil process, and other sheriff's fees, as provided by law.
(5)	Fees of guardians ad litem, referees, receivers, commissioners, surveyors, arbitrators, appraisers, and other similar court appointees, as provided by law.
(d)	Costs assessed before the clerk shall be added to costs assessable on appeal to the judge or upon transfer to the civil issue docket.
(e)	Nothing in this section shall affect the liability of the respective parties for costs, as provided by law."
SECTION 14.  G.S. 7A‑64 reads as rewritten:
"§ 7A‑64.  Temporary assistance for district attorneys.
(a)	A district attorney may apply to the Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts to:
(1)	Temporarily assign an assistant district attorney from another district, after consultation with the district attorney thereof, to assist in the prosecution of cases in the requesting district;
(2)	Authorize the temporary appointment, by the requesting district attorney, of a qualified attorney to assist the requesting district attorney; or
(3)	Enter into contracts with local governments for the provision of services by the State pursuant to G.S. 153A‑212.1 or G.S. 160A‑289.1.
(a1)	Repealed by Session Laws 2012‑7, s. 9, effective June 7, 2012.
(b)	The Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts may provide this assistance only upon a showing by the requesting district attorney supported by facts, that:
(1)	Criminal cases have accumulated on the dockets of the superior or district courts of the district beyond the capacity of the district attorney and the district attorney's full‑time assistants to keep the dockets reasonably current;
(2)	The overwhelming public interest warrants the use of additional resources for the speedy disposition of cases involving drug offenses, domestic violence, or other offenses involving a threat to public safety; or
(3)	There is a conflict of interest.
(c)	The length of service and compensation of any temporary appointee or the terms of any contract entered into with local governments shall be fixed by Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts in each case. Nothing in this section shall be construed to obligate the General Assembly to make any appropriation to implement the provisions of this section or to obligate the Administrative Office of the Courts to provide the administrative costs of establishing or maintaining the positions or services provided for under this section. Further, nothing in this section shall be construed to obligate the Administrative Office of the Courts to maintain positions or services initially provided for under this section."
SECTION 16.  G.S. 122C‑268(g) reads as rewritten:
"(g)	Hearings may be held in an appropriate room not used for treatment of clients at the facility in which the respondent is being treated if it is located within the judge's district court district as defined in G.S. 7A‑133, by audio and video transmission between a treatment facility and a courtroom in which the judge and the respondent can see and hear each other, or in the judge's chambers. A hearing may not be held in a regular courtroom, over objection of the respondent, if in the discretion of a judge a more suitable place is available. If the respondent has counsel, the respondent shall be allowed to communicate fully and confidentially with his attorney during the proceeding. Prior to the use of the audio and video transmission, the procedures and type of equipment for audio and video transmission shall be submitted to the Administrative Office of the Courts by the chief district court judge and approved by the Administrative Office of the Courts."
SECTION 17.  G.S. 58‑76‑15 reads as rewritten:
"§ 58‑76‑15.  Summary remedy on official bond.
When a sheriff, coroner, county or town treasurer, or other officer, collects or receives any money by virtue or under color of his office, and on demand fails to pay the same to the person entitled to require the payment thereof, the person thereby aggrieved may move for judgment in the superior court against such officer and his sureties for any sum demanded; and the court shall try the same and render judgment at the session when the motion shall be made, but 10 days' notice in writing of the motion must have been previously given."
SECTION 18.  G.S. 58‑76‑25 reads as rewritten:
"§ 58‑76‑25.  Evidence against principal admissible against sureties.
In actions brought upon the official bonds of sheriffs, coroners, or other public officers, and also upon the bonds of executors, administrators, collectors or guardians, when it may be necessary for the plaintiff to prove any default of the principal obligors, any receipt or acknowledgment of such obligors, or any other matter or thing which by law would be admissible and competent for or toward proving the same as against him, shall in like manner be admissible and competent as presumptive evidence only against all or any of his sureties who may be defendants with or without him in said actions."
SECTION 19.  G.S. 1‑110(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b)	Whenever a motion to proceed as an indigent is filed pro se by an inmate in the custody of the Division of Adult Correction of the Department of Public Safety, the motion to proceed as an indigent and the proposed complaint shall be presented to any superior court judge of the judicial district. This judge shall determine whether the complaint is frivolous. In the discretion of the court, a frivolous case may be dismissed by order. The clerk of superior court shall serve a copy of the order of dismissal upon the prison inmate. If the judge determines that the inmate may proceed as an indigent, the clerk of superior court shall issue service of process nunc pro tunc to the date of filing upon the defendant."
SECTION 20.  G.S. 1A‑1, Rule 3, reads as rewritten:
"Rule 3. Commencement of action.
	A civil action is commenced by filing a complaint with the court. The clerk shall enter the date of filing on the original complaint, and such entry shall be prima facie evidence of the date of filing.
A civil action may also be commenced by the issuance of a summons when
(1)	A person makes application to the court stating the nature and purpose of his action and requesting permission to file his complaint within 20 days and
(2)	The court makes an order stating the nature and purpose of the action and granting the requested permission.
The summons and the court's order shall be served in accordance with the provisions of Rule 4. When the complaint is filed it shall be served in accordance with the provisions of Rule 4 or by registered mail if the plaintiff so elects. If the complaint is not filed within the period specified in the clerk's order, the action shall abate.
	"
SECTION 21.  G.S. 122C‑264 reads as rewritten:
"§ 122C‑264.  Duties of clerk of superior court and the district attorney.
…
	
(f)	The clerk of superior court of the county where inpatient commitment hearings and rehearings are held shall provide all notices, send all records and maintain a record of all proceedings as required by this Part; provided that if the respondent has been committed to a 24‑hour facility in a county other than his county of residence and the district court hearing is held in the county of the facility, the clerk of superior court in the county of the facility shall forward the record of the proceedings to the clerk of superior court in the county of respondent's residence, where they shall be maintained by receiving clerk."
SECTION 22.  G.S. 14‑208.12A(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a)	Ten years from the date of initial county registration, a person required to register under this Part may petition the superior court to terminate the 30‑year registration requirement if the person has not been convicted of a subsequent offense requiring registration under this Article.
If the reportable conviction is for an offense that occurred in North Carolina, the petition shall be filed in the district where the person was convicted of the offense.
If the reportable conviction is for an offense that occurred in another state, the petition shall be filed in the district where the person resides. A person who petitions to terminate the registration requirement for a reportable conviction that is an out‑of‑state offense shall also do the following: (i) provide written notice to the sheriff of the county where the person was convicted that the person is petitioning the court to terminate the registration requirement and (ii) include with the petition at the time of its filing, an affidavit, signed by the petitioner, that verifies that the petitioner has notified the sheriff of the county where the person was convicted of the petition and that provides the mailing address and contact information for that sheriff.
Regardless of where the offense occurred, if the defendant was convicted of a reportable offense in any federal court, the conviction will be treated as an out‑of‑state offense for the purposes of this section."
SECTION 23.  G.S. 7B‑2901(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a)	The clerk shall maintain a complete record of all juvenile cases filed in the clerk's office alleging abuse, neglect, or dependency. The records shall be withheld from public inspection and, except as provided in this subsection, may be examined only by order of the court. The record shall include the summons, petition, custody order, court order, written motions, the electronic or mechanical recording of the hearing, and other papers filed in the proceeding. The recording of the hearing shall be reduced to a written transcript only when notice of appeal has been timely given. After the time for appeal has expired with no appeal having been filed, the recording of the hearing may be erased or destroyed upon the written order of the court or in accordance with a retention schedule approved by the Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts and the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources under G.S. 121‑5(c).
The following persons may examine the juvenile's record maintained pursuant to this subsection and obtain copies of written parts of the record without an order of the court:
(1)	The person named in the petition as the juvenile;
(2)	The guardian ad litem;
(3)	The county department of social services; and
(4)	The juvenile's parent, guardian, or custodian, or the attorney for the juvenile or the juvenile's parent, guardian, or custodian."
SECTION 24.  G.S. 7B‑3000(d) reads as rewritten:
"(d)	Any portion of a juvenile's record consisting of an electronic or mechanical recording of a hearing shall be transcribed only when notice of appeal has been timely given and shall be copied electronically or mechanically, only by order of the court. After the time for appeal has expired with no appeal having been filed, the court may enter a written order directing the clerk to destroy the recording of the hearing or the recording may be destroyed in accordance with a retention schedule approved by the Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts and the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources under G.S.121‑5(c)."
SECTION 25.  G.S. 7B‑603(b1) reads as rewritten:
"(b1)	The court may require payment of the fee for an attorney appointed pursuant to G.S. 7B‑602 or G.S. 7B‑1101.1 from the respondent. In no event shall the respondent be required to pay the fees for a court‑appointed attorney in an abuse, neglect, or dependency proceeding unless the juvenile has been adjudicated to be abused, neglected, or dependent or, in a proceeding to terminate parental rights, unless the respondent's rights have been terminated. At the dispositional hearing or other appropriate hearing, the court shall make a determination whether the respondent should be held responsible for reimbursing the State for the respondent's attorneys' fees. This determination shall include the respondent's financial ability to pay.
If the court determines that the respondent is responsible for reimbursing the State for the respondent's attorneys' fees, the court shall so order. If the respondent does not comply with the order at the time of disposition, the court shall file a judgment against the respondent for the amount due the State."
SECTION 26.  G.S. 84‑2 reads as rewritten:
"§ 84‑2.  Persons disqualified.
No justice, judge, magistrate, full‑time district attorney, full‑time assistant district attorney, full‑time public defender, full‑time assistant public defender, clerk, deputy or assistant clerk of the General Court of Justice, register of deeds, deputy or assistant register of deeds, sheriff or deputy sheriff shall engage in the private practice of law. As used in this section, the private practice of law shall not include the performance of pro bono legal services by a lawyer, other than a justice or judge of the general court of justice, who is otherwise disqualified by this section if the pro bono services are sponsored or organized by a professional association of lawyers or a nonprofit corporation rendering legal services pursuant to G.S. 84‑5.1. Persons violating this provision shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor and only fined not less than two hundred dollars ($200.00)."
SECTION 27.  Section 22 of this act is effective when it becomes law and applies to petitions filed on or after that date. The remainder of this act is effective when it becomes law.