A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT to make various changes and technical corrections to the laws governing the administration of justice.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

PART I. PROPOSED STATUTORY CHANGES AS RECOMMENDED BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS

INCREASED FLEXIBILITY OF EMERGENCY JUDGE ASSIGNMENTS
SECTION 1.  G.S. 7A‑52(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a)	Judges of the district court and judges of the superior court who have not reached the mandatory retirement age specified in G.S. 7A‑4.20, but who have retired under the provisions of G.S. 7A‑51, or under the Uniform Judicial Retirement Act after having completed five years of creditable service, may apply as provided in G.S. 7A‑53 to become emergency judges of the court from which they retired. From the commissioned emergency district, superior, and special superior court judges, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall create two lists of active emergency judges and two lists of inactive emergency judges. For emergency superior and special superior court judges, the active list shall be limited to a combined total of 10 emergency judges; all other emergency superior and special superior court judges shall be on an inactive list. For emergency district court judges, the active list shall be limited to 25 emergency judges; all other emergency district court judges shall be on an inactive list. There is no limit to the number of emergency judges on either inactive list. In the Chief Justice's discretion, emergency judges may be added or removed from their respective active and inactive lists, as long as the respective numerical limits on the active lists are observed. The Chief Justice is requested to consider geographical distribution in assigning emergency judges to an active list but may utilize any factor in determining which emergency judges are assigned to an active list. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court may order any emergency district, superior, or special superior court judge on an active list who, in his opinion, is competent to perform the duties of a judge, to hold regular or special sessions of the court from which the judge retired, as needed. Order of assignment shall be in writing and entered upon the minutes of the court to which such emergency judge is assigned. An emergency judge shall only be assigned in the event of a:
(1)	Death of a sitting judge.
(2)	Medical leave absence of a sitting judge.
(3)	Recall to active military duty of a sitting judge.
(4)	Retirement or removal of a sitting judge.
(5)	Court case‑management emergency.
(6)	Disaster declaration made pursuant to G.S. 166A‑19.3(3) within a judicial district."

ELIMINATE COURT COST WAIVER NOTICE AND REPORT
SECTION 2.  G.S. 7A‑304 reads as rewritten:
"§ 7A‑304.  Costs in criminal actions.
(a)	In every criminal case in the superior or district court, wherein the defendant is convicted, or enters a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, or when costs are assessed against the prosecuting witness, the following costs shall be assessed and collected. No costs may be assessed when a case is dismissed. Only upon entry of a written order, supported by findings of fact and conclusions of law, determining that there is just cause, the court may (i) waive costs assessed under this section or (ii) waive or reduce costs assessed under subdivision (7), (8), (8a), (11), (12), or (13) of this section.
…
	
…."

REDUCE NORTH CAROLINA ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS REPORTS TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
SECTION 3.(a)  G.S. 7A‑343 reads as rewritten:
"§ 7A‑343.  Duties of Director.
The Director is the Administrative Officer of the Courts, and the Director's duties include all of the following:
…
(8a)	Prepare and submit an annual report on the activities of each North Carolina business court site to the Chief Justice, the chairs of the House of Representatives Appropriations Committee on Justice and Public Safety and the Senate Appropriations Committee on Justice and Public Safety, the chairs of the of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety, and all other members of the General Assembly on February 1. The report shall include the following information for each business court site:
a.	The number of new, closed, and pending cases for the previous three years.
b.	The average age of pending cases.
c.	The number of motions pending over six months after being filed.
d.	The number of cases in which bench trials have been concluded for over six months without entry of judgment, including any accompanying explanation provided by the Business Court.
The report shall include an accounting of all business court activities for the previous fiscal year, including the itemized annual expenditures.
…."
SECTION 3.(b)  G.S. 7A‑346.2 reads as rewritten:
"§ 7A‑346.2.  Various reports to General Assembly.
…
	
(c)	The Administrative Office of the Courts, in consultation with the Conference of Clerks of Superior Court, shall make any necessary modifications to its information systems to maintain records of all cases in which the defendant in a criminal case withdraws an appeal for trial de novo in superior court and the superior court judge has signed an order remanding the case to the district court. The Administrative Office of the Courts may obtain any information that may be needed from individual clerks of superior court in order to make the modifications necessary to maintain the records required under this section."
SECTION 3.(c)  G.S. 7A‑346.3 is repealed.
SECTION 3.(d)  G.S. 7A‑350 reads as rewritten:
"§ 7A‑350.  Records of criminal court cost waivers.
The Administrative Office of the Courts shall maintain records of all cases in which a judge makes a finding of just cause to grant a waiver of criminal court costs under G.S. 7A‑304(a)."

CONFORM PETITION FOR SPOUSAL ALLOWANCE TO REFLECT CURRENT SPOUSAL YEARLY ALLOWANCE MAXIMUM
SECTION 4.  G.S. 30‑29 reads as rewritten:
"§ 30‑29.  What petition must show.
In the petition the petitioner shall set forth, besides the facts entitling petitioner to a year's support and the value of the support claimed, the further facts that the personal estate of which the decedent died possessed exceeded sixty thousand dollars ($60,000) and also whether or not an allowance has been made to petitioner and the nature and value thereof."

CLARIFY DAYS IN WHICH FORECLOSURE SALES ARE PERMITTED
SECTION 5.(a)  G.S. 45‑21.21(f) reads as rewritten:
"(f)	A sale shall begin at the time designated in the notice of sale or as soon thereafter as practicable, but not later than one hour after the time fixed therefor unless it is delayed by other sales held at the same place."
SECTION 5.(b)  G.S. 45‑21.23 reads as rewritten:
"§ 45‑21.23.  Time of sale.
A sale shall begin at the time designated in the notice of sale or as soon thereafter as practicable, but not later than one hour after the time fixed therefor unless it is delayed by other sales held at the same place. The sale shall be held between the hours of 10:00 A.M. and 4:00 P.M. on any day on which the clerk's office is normally open for transactions."

DOCKETING OF STATE BAR ORDERS AND FINAL DETERMINATIONS
SECTION 6.  G.S. 84‑32(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a)	In cases heard by the disciplinary hearing commission or any committee thereof, the proceedings shall be recorded by a certified court reporter and an official copy of all exhibits introduced into evidence shall be made and preserved in the office of the secretary‑treasurer. Final judgments of censure, suspension, or disbarment shall be entered upon the judgment docket of the superior court in the district wherein the respondent resides or practices law, and also upon the minutes of the Supreme Court of North Carolina; and the judgment shall be effective throughout the State. Final determinations of incapacity or disability shall be entered upon the judgment docket of the superior court in the same manner as final judgments of censure, suspension, or disbarment."

ESTABLISH FEE FOR FAILURE TO ATTEND A HEARING AS RECOMMENDED BY THE DISPUTE RESOLUTION COMMISSION
SECTION 7.(a)  G.S. 7A‑38.2(f) reads as rewritten:
"(f)	In connection with any investigation or hearing conducted pursuant to an application for certification or qualification of any mediator, other neutral, or training program, or conducted pursuant to any disciplinary matter, the chair of the Dispute Resolution Commission or the chair's designee, may:
(1)	Administer oaths and affirmations.
(2)	Sign and issue subpoenas in the name of the Dispute Resolution Commission or direct its executive secretary to issue such subpoenas on its behalf requiring attendance and the giving of testimony by witnesses and the production of books, papers, and other documentary evidence.
(3)	Apply to the General Court of Justice, Superior Court Division, for any order necessary to enforce the powers conferred in this section, including an order for injunctive relief pursuant to G.S. 1A‑1, Rule 65, when a certified mediator's conduct necessitates prompt action.
(4)	Assess and collect an administrative fee from any person who appeals an adverse determination to the full Commission for a hearing and fails to attend the hearing without good cause as determined by the chair of the Commission. The fee assessed shall be the lesser of the Commission's actual expenses for the hearing or two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500). The fees collected shall be deposited in the Dispute Resolution Fund established pursuant to subsection (d) of this section."
SECTION 7.(b)  This section is effective July 1, 2019, and applies to hearings held on or after that date.

NOTIFICATION OF FAILURE TO APPEAR FOR FINGERPRINTING
SECTION 8.  G.S. 15A‑502(f) reads as rewritten:
"(f)	If a person is charged with an offense for which fingerprints are required pursuant to this section but the person is not arrested for that offense, the court before which the charge is pending shall order the defendant to submit to fingerprinting by the Sheriff or other appropriate law enforcement agency at the earliest practical opportunity. If the person fails to appear for fingerprinting as ordered by the court, the Sheriff or other designated agency shall so inform the court, and the court may initiate proceedings for criminal contempt against the person pursuant to G.S. 5A‑15, including issue of an order for arrest pursuant to G.S. 5A‑16, if necessary. The defendant shall continue to be subject to the court's order to provide fingerprints until submitted."
SECTION 9.(a)  G.S. 15A‑1452 reads as rewritten:
"§ 15A‑1452.  Execution of sentence upon determination of appeal; compliance with directive of appellate court.
(a)	If an appeal is withdrawn for a judgment that imposed an active sentence or imposed only monetary obligations without probation, the clerk of superior court must enter an order reflecting that fact and directing compliance with the judgment.
(a1)	If an appeal is withdrawn for a judgment that imposed a suspended sentence, the clerk of superior court shall bring the matter to the attention of the district attorney, who shall calendar a review hearing as provided in subsection (d) of this section.
(b)	If the appellate division affirms in whole or in part a judgment that imposed an active sentence or imposed only monetary obligations without probation, the clerk of superior court must file the directive of the appellate division and order compliance with its terms.
(b1)	If the appellate division affirms a judgment that imposed a suspended sentence, the clerk of superior court shall file the directive of the appellate division and bring the matter to the attention of the district attorney, who shall calendar a review hearing as provided in subsection (d) of this section.
(c)	If the appellate division orders a new trial or directs other relief or proceedings, the clerk must file the directive of the appellate court and bring the directive to the attention of the district attorney or the court for compliance with the directive.
(d)	When notified by the clerk as provided in this section, the district attorney shall calendar a hearing in superior court for review of the judgment imposed. The defendant shall be entitled to be present and represented by counsel to the same extent as in the original sentencing hearing.
(1)	At the review hearing, the court shall enter an order directing compliance with the judgment either as imposed or as modified as provided in this subsection. The defendant's period of probation shall commence as of the date of the court's order.
(2)	If the defendant's ability to comply with any date or period of time specified in the original judgment has become impractical or impossible due to the pendency of the appeal, the court may modify those dates in order to give effect to the original judgment as closely as possible.
(3)	The court shall not modify the judgment other than to adjust dates or periods for compliance as provided in subdivision (2) of this subsection, unless the court otherwise complies with the procedures for modification of probation in G.S. 15A‑1344."
SECTION 9.(b)  This section is effective December 1, 2019, and applies to any mandate of the appellate division received in the trial division on or after that date.

ALIGN NOTIFICATION PERIOD FOR FAILURE TO PAY WITH CURRENT STATUTORY COMPLIANCE PERIOD
SECTION 10.  G.S. 20‑217(g2) reads as rewritten:
"(g2)	Pursuant to G.S. 20‑54, failure of a person to pay any fine or costs imposed pursuant to this section shall result in the Division withholding the registration renewal of a motor vehicle registered in that person's name. The clerk of superior court in the county in which the case was disposed shall notify the Division of any person who fails to pay a fine or costs imposed pursuant to this section within 40 days of the date specified in the court's judgment, as required by G.S. 20‑24.2(a)(2). The Division shall continue to withhold the registration renewal of a motor vehicle until the clerk of superior court notifies the Division that the person has satisfied the conditions of G.S. 20‑24.1(b) applicable to the person's case. The provisions of this subsection shall be in addition to any other actions the Division may take to enforce the payment of any fine imposed pursuant to this section."

NOTICE OF ADOPTION PROCEEDINGS BY PETITIONER
SECTION 11.  G.S. 48‑2‑403 reads as rewritten:
"§ 48‑2‑403.  Additional notice of proceedings by petitioner.
No later than five days after a petition is filed, the petitioner shall mail or otherwise deliver notice of the adoption proceeding to any agency that has undertaken but not yet completed a preplacement assessment and any agency ordered to make a report to the court pursuant to Part 5 of this Article. The petitioner shall provide proof of service of the notice to the court."

PART II. PROPOSED STATUTORY CHANGES AS RECOMMENDED BY THE CONFERENCE OF SUPERIOR COURT CLERKS

MODIFY FEES IN THE ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATES
SECTION 12.(a)  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, in the administration 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, in power of attorney proceedings under G.S. 32C‑1‑116(a), and in collections of personal property by affidavit, the following costs shall be assessed:
…
(2b)	Notwithstanding subdivisions (1) and (2) of this subsection, the only cost assessed when the estate is administered or settled pursuant to G.S. 28A‑25‑6 shall be a fee of twenty dollars ($20.00) to be assessed upon filing of the application.
…
(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	20.00
…."
SECTION 12.(b)  This section is effective January 1, 2020, and applies to petitions filed on or after that date.

ELIMINATE OBSOLETE REPORT ON IMPLEMENTATION OF CHARACTER RECOGNITION SOFTWARE
SECTION 13.  G.S. 7A‑809 is repealed.

IN REM FORECLOSURE EXECUTION PROCEDURE AND FEES
SECTION 14.(a)  G.S. 7A‑308(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a)	The following miscellaneous fees and commissions shall be collected by the clerk of superior court and remitted to the State for the support of the General Court of Justice:
(1)	Foreclosure under power of sale in deed of trust or mortgage	$300.00
If the property is sold under the power of sale, an additional amount will be charged, determined by the following formula: forty‑five cents (.45) per one hundred dollars ($100.00), or major fraction thereof, of the final sale price. If the amount determined by the formula is less than ten dollars ($10.00), a minimum ten dollar ($10.00) fee will be collected. If the amount determined by the formula is more than five hundred dollars ($500.00), a maximum five hundred‑dollar ($500.00) fee will be collected.
(1a)	In rem foreclosures conducted under G.S. 105‑375…………….…..$300.00
If the property is sold under execution, an additional fee will be collected.
…."
SECTION 14.(b)  G.S. 105‑375 reads as rewritten:
"§ 105‑375.  In rem method of foreclosure.
…
(b)	Docketing Certificate of Taxes as Judgment. – In lieu of following the procedure set forth in G.S. 105‑374, the governing body of any taxing unit may direct the tax collector to file with the clerk of superior court, no earlier than 30 days after the tax liens were advertised, a certificate showing the following: the name of the taxpayer as defined in G.S. 105‑273(17), for each parcel on which the taxing unit has a lien for unpaid taxes, together with the amount of taxes, penalties, interest, and costs that are a lien thereon; the year or years for which the taxes are due; and a description of the property sufficient to permit its identification by parol testimony. The fees for docketing and indexing the certificate assessed pursuant to G.S. 7A‑308(a)(11) shall be payable to the clerk of superior court at the time the taxes are collected or the property is sold.
…
(i)	Issuance of Execution. – At any time after three months and before two years from the indexing of the judgment as provided in subsection (b), above, execution shall be issued at the request of the tax collector in the same manner as executions are issued upon other judgments of the superior court, and the real property shall be sold by the sheriff in the same manner as other real property is sold under execution with the following exceptions:
(1)	No debtor's exemption shall be allowed.
(2)	In lieu of personal service of notice on the taxpayer, the sheriff shall send notice by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the taxpayer at the taxpayer's last known address at least 30 days prior to the day fixed for the sale. If within 10 days following the mailing of the notice, a return receipt has not been received by the sheriff indicating receipt of the notice, then the sheriff shall make additional efforts to locate and notify the taxpayer and all lienholders of record of the sale under execution in accordance with subdivision (4) of subsection (c) of this section.
(3)	The sheriff shall add to the amount of the judgment as costs of the sale any postage expenses incurred by the tax collector and the sheriff in foreclosing under this section.
(4)	In any advertisement or posted notice of sale under execution, the sheriff may (and at the request of the governing body shall) combine the advertisements or notices for properties to be sold under executions against the properties of different taxpayers in favor of the same taxing unit or group of units; however, the property included in each judgment shall be separately described and the name of the taxpayer specified in connection with each.
The purchaser at the execution sale shall acquire title to the property in fee simple free and clear of all claims, rights, interests, and liens except the liens of other taxes or special assessments not paid from the purchase price and not included in the judgment.
(i1)	Execution Fee. – The fee assessed in G.S. 7A‑308(a)(1a) shall be payable to the clerk of superior court out of the sale proceeds at the time the property is sold.
…."
SECTION 14.(c)  This section is effective October 1, 2019, and applies to execution sales conducted on or after that date.

AUTHORIZE RETIRED CLERK TO ADMINISTER OATHS
SECTION 15.  G.S. 11‑7.1(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a)	Except as otherwise specifically required by statute, an oath of office may be administered by:
(1)	A justice, judge, magistrate, clerk, assistant clerk, or deputy clerk of the General Court of Justice, a retired justice, judge, or clerk of the General Court of Justice, or any member of the federal judiciary.
(2)	The Secretary of State.
(3)	A notary public.
(4)	A register of deeds.
(5)	A mayor of any city, town, or incorporated village.
(5a)	A chairman of the board of commissioners of any county.
(6)	A member of the House of Representatives or Senate of the General Assembly.
(7)	The clerk of any county, city, town or incorporated village."

DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS OWED TO DECEDENT
SECTION 16.  G.S. 28A‑25‑6(f) reads as rewritten:
"(f)	If no administrator has been appointed, the clerk of superior court shall, upon motion of the clerk or upon the application of an interested party, disburse the money received under this section for the following purposes and in the following order:
(1)	To pay the surviving spouse's year's allowance and children's year's allowance assigned in accordance with law.
(2),	(3) Repealed by Session Laws 1981, c. 383, s. 3.
(4)	All other claims shall be disbursed according to the order set out in G.S. 28A‑19‑6.
Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this subsection, the clerk shall pay, out of funds provided the deceased pursuant to G.S. 111‑18 and Part 3 of Article 2 of Chapter 108A of the General Statutes of North Carolina, any lawful claims for care provided by an adult care home to the deceased, incurred not more than 90 days prior to the deceased's death. After the death of a spouse who died intestate and after the disbursements have been made in accordance with this subsection, the balance in the clerk's hands belonging to the estate of the decedent shall be paid to the surviving spouse, and if there is no surviving spouse, the clerk shall pay it to the heirs in proportion to their respective interests."

CLARIFY TIME PERIODS IN SUMMARY EJECTMENT ACTIONS
SECTION 17.  G.S. 42‑34 reads as rewritten:
"§ 42‑34.  Undertaking on appeal and order staying execution.
…
(c)	In an ejectment action based upon alleged nonpayment of rent where the judgment is entered more than five business days before the day when the next rent will be due under the lease, the appellant shall make an additional undertaking to stay execution pending appeal. Such additional undertaking shall be the payment of the prorated rent for the days between the day that the judgment was entered and the next day when the rent will be due under the lease.
…
(d)	The undertaking by the appellant and the order staying execution may be substantially in the following form:
"State of North Carolina,
"County of _____
"______, Plaintiff
vs. 	Bond to
"______, Defendant	Stay Execution
On Appeal to
District Court
"Now comes the defendant in the above entitled action and respectfully shows the court that judgment for summary ejectment was entered against the defendant and for the plaintiff on the ____ day of ____, ____, by the Magistrate. Defendant has appealed the judgment to the District Court.
"Pursuant to the terms of the lease between plaintiff and defendant, defendant is obligated to pay rent in the amount of $____ per ____, due on the____ day of each ____.
"Where the payment of rent in arrears or an additional undertaking is required by G.S. 42‑34, the defendant hereby tenders $____ to the Court as required.
"Defendant hereby undertakes to pay the periodic rent hereinafter due according to the aforesaid terms of the lease and moves the Court to stay execution on the judgment for summary ejectment until this matter is heard on appeal by the District Court.
"This the __________ day of _________, ____.
______________________________
	Defendant
"Upon execution of the above bond, execution on said judgment for summary ejectment is hereby stayed until the action is heard on appeal in the District Court. If defendant fails to make any rental payment to the clerk's office within five business days of the due date, upon application of the plaintiff, the stay of execution shall dissolve and the sheriff may dispossess the defendant. 
"This the __________ day of _________, ____.
______________________________
	Assistant Clerk of Superior Court."
…
(f)	If the defendant fails to make a payment within five business days of the due date according to the undertaking and order staying execution, the clerk, upon application of the plaintiff, shall issue execution on the judgment for possession.
…."

PART III. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS

TECHNICAL CORRECTION/APPELLATE CLERK STATUTES
SECTION 18.(a)  G.S. 7A‑11 reads as rewritten:
"§ 7A‑11.  Clerk of the Supreme Court; salary; bond; fees; oath.
The clerk of the Supreme Court shall be appointed by the Supreme Court to serve at its pleasure. The annual salary of the clerk shall be fixed by the Administrative Officer of the Courts, subject to the approval of the Supreme Court. The clerk may appoint assistants in the number and at the salaries fixed by the Administrative Officer of the Courts. The clerk shall perform such duties as the Supreme Court may assign, and shall be bonded to the State, for faithful performance of duty, in the same manner as the clerk of the superior court, and in such amount as the Administrative Officer of the Courts shall determine. The clerk shall adopt a seal of office, to be approved by the Supreme Court. A fee bill for services rendered by the clerk shall be fixed by rules of the Supreme Court, and all such fees shall be remitted to the State treasury. Charges to litigants for the reproduction of appellate records and briefs shall be fixed by rule of the Supreme Court and remitted to the Appellate Courts Printing and Computer Operations Fund established in G.S. 7A‑343.3. The operations of the Clerk of the Supreme Court shall be subject to the oversight of the State Auditor pursuant to Article 5A of Chapter 147 of the General Statutes. Before entering upon the duties of his office, the clerk shall take the oath of office prescribed by law."
SECTION 18.(b)  G.S. 7A‑20(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a)	The Court of Appeals shall appoint a clerk to serve at its pleasure. Before entering upon his duties, the clerk shall take the oath of office prescribed for the clerk of the Supreme Court, conformed to the office of clerk of the Court of Appeals, and shall be bonded, in the same manner as the clerk of superior court, in an amount prescribed by the Administrative Officer of the Courts, payable to the State, for the faithful performance of the clerk's duties. The salary of the clerk shall be fixed by the Administrative Officer of the Courts, subject to the approval of the Court of Appeals. The number and salaries of his assistants, and their bonds, if required, shall be fixed by the Administrative Officer of the Courts. The clerk shall adopt a seal of office, to be approved by the Court of Appeals."

TECHNICAL CORRECTION/CLARIFY HUMAN TRAFFICKING COMMISSION VOTING MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 19.  G.S. 7A‑354(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b)	Membership. – The Commission shall consist of no more than 15 members as follows:
…
(4)	The following persons, or their designees, may serve as nonvoting, ex officio members of the Commission:
a.	The Director of the Administrative Office of the Courts.
b.	The President of the North Carolina Conference of Superior Court Judges.
c.	The President of the North Carolina Association of District Court Judges."

TECHNICAL CORRECTION/MINOR VICTIMS
SECTION 20.  G.S. 14‑43.15 reads as rewritten:
"§ 14‑43.15.  Minor victims.
Any minor victim of a violation of G.S. 14‑43.11, 14‑43.12, or 14‑43.13 shall be alleged to be abused and neglected and the provisions of Subchapter I of Chapter 7B of the General Statutes shall apply."

TECHNICAL CORRECTION/INNOCENCE INQUIRY COMMISSION STATUTORY CITATION
SECTION 21.  G.S. 15A‑1469(b1) reads as rewritten:
"(b1)	The Commission's entire file, including files obtained from other agencies, shall be unencumbered by protective orders when transferred to the district attorney and defense counsel pursuant to G.S. 15A‑1468(g), unless either of the following apply:
(1)	The district attorney and defense counsel have consented to a protective order over a portion of the file.
(2)	The district attorney and defense counsel have been given an opportunity to be heard by the senior judge of the three‑judge panel before a protective order is issued."

TECHNICAL CORRECTION/INCORRECT ESTATES STATUTORY CITATION
SECTION 22.  G.S. 28A‑2‑4(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a)	The clerks of superior court of this State, as ex officio judges of probate, shall have original jurisdiction of estate proceedings. Except as provided in subdivision (4) of this subsection, the jurisdiction of the clerk of superior court is exclusive. Estate proceedings include, but are not limited to, the following:
…
(3)	Determination of the elective share for a surviving spouse as provided in G.S. 30‑3.1.
…."

TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS/NORTH CAROLINA UNIFORM POWER OF ATTORNEY ACT
SECTION 23.(a)  G.S. 32C‑1‑112(c) reads as rewritten:
"(c)	Unless the power of attorney otherwise provides, an agent is entitled upon request to the clerk of superior court to be reimbursed for expenses properly incurred on behalf of the principal."
SECTION 23.(b)  G.S. 32C‑1‑116(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a)	The clerks of superior court of this State shall have original jurisdiction of proceedings under this Chapter. Except as provided in subdivision (4) of this subsection, the clerk of superior court's jurisdiction is exclusive. The following proceedings are included:
…
(3)	To determine compensation and expenses for an agent under G.S. 32C‑1‑112(b) and G.S. 32C‑1‑112(c).
…."
SECTION 23.(c)  G.S. 32C‑4‑403(c) reads as rewritten:
"(c)	References to prior statutes in powers of attorney, whether executed on or after the adoption of this Chapter shall be deemed to refer to the corresponding provisions this Chapter unless application of the rule of construction would substantially impair substantial rights of a party."

TECHNICAL CORRECTION/RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT FOR FILING A PETITION FOR NAME CHANGE
SECTION 24.  G.S. 101‑2(a) reads as rewritten:
"(a)	A person who wishes, for good cause shown, to change his or her name must file an application before the clerk of the superior court of the county in which the person resides, after giving 10 days' notice of the application by publication at the courthouse door."

TECHNICAL CORRECTION/EFFECTIVE DATE FOR INCREASE OF MAXIMUM TESTAMENTARY DISTRIBUTION TO A MINOR
SECTION 25.(a)  Section 8.2 of S.L. 2018‑40 reads as rewritten:
"SECTION 8.2.  This section becomes effective January 1, 2019, and applies to distributions made on or after that date."
SECTION 25.(b)  This section is effective January 1, 2019.

EFFECT OF HEADINGS
SECTION 26.  The headings to the parts, subparts, and sections of this act are a convenience to the reader and are for reference only. The headings do not expand, limit, or define the text of this act, except for effective dates referring to a part or subpart.

EFFECTIVE DATE
SECTION 27.  Except where otherwise provided, this act is effective when it becomes law.