AN ACT promoting greater efficiency in the office of vital records by establishing a deadline for processing birth aND death certificate amendment requests and by prohibiting office of vital records employees from teleworking, except as necessary during declared emergencies.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.(a)  G.S. 130A‑118 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:

(a1)    The Office of Vital Records and each local register of deeds office shall process each request for amendment of a certificate of birth or death within 30 calendar days after the date the office receives the appropriate completed application, any required proof, and payment of any applicable fee for the amendment.

SECTION 1.(b)  Subsection (a) of this section applies to birth and death certificate amendment requests made on or after the effective date of this act.

SECTION 2.(a)  Notwithstanding any policy implemented by the Office of State Human Resources or the Department of Health and Human Services, or any provision of State law to the contrary, employees of the Office of Vital Records are not permitted to telework if doing so will adversely impact the time line provided in G.S. 130A‑118(a1), unless telework is determined to be necessary by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services during any period of time when there is a declared disaster or emergency pursuant to Chapter 166A of the General Statutes. As used in this section, the term telework means to use the internet, email, or telephone to perform work duties at a location other than an assigned primary workstation.

SECTION 2.(b)  Subsection (a) of this section applies to all permanent and temporary employees of the Office of Vital Records.

SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.