North CarolinaHB 6202025-2026 SessionHouseWALLET

AN ACT TO MODIFY PROVISIONS AFFECTING THE COURTS OF NORTH CAROLINA AND THE ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE OF THE COURTS.

Sponsored By: Sarah Stevens (Republican)

Signed by Governor

AOCCHILD CUSTODYCOUNTIESCOURT CLERKSCOURTSCRIMESDEATH & DYINGDOMESTIC VIOLENCEESTATESGUARDIANSHIPID SYSTEMSINCOMPETENTSINSTITUTIONALIZED PERSONSJUDICIAL DEPT

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

20 provisions identified: 10 benefits, 1 costs, 9 mixed.

Up to 180 days of treatment commitment

If the court finds by clear, cogent, and convincing evidence that a person is a dangerous substance abuser, the court orders treatment for up to 180 days. The named facility or doctor manages care. The clerk must send the order quickly to the provider. The court follows set steps before using non‑inpatient facilities.

At least one magistrate in every county

Every county must have at least one magistrate. The Administrative Office of the Courts decides any extra magistrates after consulting the chief district court judge.

Business Court expands for tech disputes

Beginning December 1, 2025, the Chief Justice can name up to six judges to serve as Business Court Judges. Certain intellectual property and technology cases must go to the Business Court, including software, data security, pharma, and biotech disputes. Some defendants have set deadlines, such as 30 days after service, to ask for Business Court designation. If the Oil and Gas Commission decides to release or withhold information, you have 30 days to appeal to the Business Court. The Commission must hold the information until the appeal window closes or the court makes a final ruling.

Eviction attorney fees capped at 15%

If a landlord wins an eviction and the lease allows fees, the landlord can recover reasonable attorneys' fees up to 15% of what the tenant owes. For evictions not based on nonpayment, the cap is 15% of one month's rent. If the tenant appeals and the court finds the appeal frivolous, unreasonable, without foundation, in bad faith, or solely to delay, the landlord can recover all actual reasonable fees. This rule applies back to September 9, 2024.

Statewide e‑filing and electronic court records

Effective July 2, 2025, the Supreme Court sets statewide e‑filing rules and must allow fee waivers for indigent filers. Users must register, and pro se filers must provide identification. Verified or notarized papers can be converted to electronic files that become the official court record, except original wills and codicils must still be filed in paper. Courts may use an electronic seal. Money the courts receive from the e‑filing vendor (not court costs) goes to the Court Information Technology Fund.

Easier, no fee DV protective orders

Any person in North Carolina can file for a domestic violence protective order and represent themselves. The court does not charge filing, issuance, registration, or service costs for these orders. Defendants must answer within 10 days. You can also file a contempt motion yourself using court forms. The clerk or a magistrate must set a quick show‑cause hearing when danger is shown, and law enforcement serves the papers.

Fairer juvenile custody and bond rules

Beginning December 1, 2025, courts must consider nonsecure custody first and limit secure custody to specific reasons with a factual basis. If a juvenile is detained, the petition and any custody order must be served and sent to the facility within 72 hours. When a case moves to juvenile court, the person who posted the juvenile’s bond is released from the bond at the court’s custody review. The law also ends a bond obligation when the court reviews custody after remand or removal.

Private name changes for abuse victims

Starting December 1, 2025, victims using the address confidentiality program or who show proof of abuse can skip public notice of a name change. The court seals the application and records. They are only opened by court order or your written consent.

Faster juror and witness payments

The courts can set faster ways to pay jurors, witnesses, and other small bills. Payments can be made by debit card or similar methods. The State Auditor must approve the new process before it starts.

Faster notice for mental health commitments

Commitment orders must name the treatment doctor, clinic, or facility. The clerk must send outpatient orders to the provider and the person within 48 hours. If inpatient care is ordered while an outpatient order is active, the outpatient order ends and the supervising clerk is notified.

Cases keep moving when judges change

If the trial judge cannot finish a case after the hearing or verdict, a substitute judge steps in to complete needed tasks. Effective July 2, 2025, the original judge settles the record on appeal, even after leaving office; if unavailable, appellate rules apply. When the Chief Justice assigns a judge to a case, that judge has the same authority over that case as a regular judge.

Stronger privacy for mediation talks

What people say and do in mediation is generally not allowed in court and not discoverable. There are narrow exceptions, such as enforcing signed settlements, sanctions, discipline, and child or elder abuse cases. Effective July 2, 2025, mediators and neutral observers usually cannot be forced to testify about mediation. A judge may allow limited testimony in some felony trials if no other source exists. Reporting duties and criminal laws still apply.

Six month deadline for receiver claims

When a permanent receiver is appointed, they publish notice. Claimants must file sworn claims within six months of the first notice. If you miss the deadline, the receiver can bar your claim. You can still contest validity in court with proper notice.

Clearer probate steps and faster filings

Clerks accept certified copies of out‑of‑state or foreign wills when the original cannot be produced. Certain probate response times move from 15 to 20 days, giving executors and applicants more time. The DMV can transfer a vehicle title by affidavit when no administrator exists; a surviving spouse who is a parent can sign for a minor or incompetent heir. Starting December 1, 2025, clerks must keep a secure depository for original wills and keep them private until proof of death. Filed estate accounts must list the reporting period, property values, income, gains, payments, and the balance, which adds paperwork but makes records clearer. A surviving spouse’s year’s‑allowance petition must be signed, sworn, and include set facts; attach and record the will if there is one.

New bond and filing rules for guardians

Starting December 1, 2025, a nonresident guardian who receives more than $1,000 of the ward’s property must post a bond (surety, equal cash, or a mortgage worth at least 1.25 times the bond) and name a resident agent. A North Carolina resident guardian of the person does not have to post a bond. Every guardian must file an inventory or account within three months of appointment, with an extension up to six months for good cause. A guardianship ends when the ward becomes an adult, is found competent again, dies, or the case moves out of North Carolina by court order.

Clear rules for forms and juror training

If you change an official court form, you must clearly say it was modified and list the changes. Starting December 1, 2025, the Administrative Office of the Courts sets the rules for any training or educational material given to jurors. Courts may not give jurors material that the AOC rules do not allow.

Court recordings kept; limited public access

The clerk or a designee runs and keeps trial recordings. Original recordings and notes belong to the State and stay with the clerk. Most audio made by court reporters is not a public record and is released only by court order for good cause.

New rules for judges and clerks

No superior or district judge may stay in office past December 31 of the year they turn 72. The law also rewrites how a clerk of superior court can be suspended or removed. A sworn affidavit starts the case; a senior judge reviews it within 10 days and may suspend the clerk if harm is likely. A public hearing happens 30–60 days after probable cause, with findings by clear and convincing evidence. The clerk can appeal to the Court of Appeals, and filings stay confidential until probable cause is found.

Stronger oversight of lawyers in North Carolina

Effective July 2, 2025, the State Bar can discipline any lawyer who practices or offers to practice in North Carolina, including those not admitted here. The Council may act based on a conviction or accepted plea without waiting for appeals. If that conviction is later reversed, discipline based only on the conviction is vacated, but the Bar can still pursue the case on the underlying facts. The Council can ask a Wake County judge for fast injunctive relief to stop ongoing misconduct.

Courts can hire electronic filing vendor

Beginning July 2, 2025, the Administrative Office of the Courts can contract with a private company to run electronic filing. The law does not set user fees or contract terms.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Sarah Stevens
Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 308 • No: 2

House vote • 6/26/2025

HB 620: Administrative Office of the Courts Agency Requests.

Yes: 107 • No: 0 • Other: 10

Senate vote • 6/25/2025

HB 620: AOC Agency Requests.-AB

Yes: 45 • No: 0 • Other: 5