North Carolina § 120-20 - When acts take effect.
Full text of North Carolina North Carolina General Statutes § 120-20 — When acts take effect., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 120-20. When acts take effect.
Acts of the General Assembly shall be in force only from and after 60 days after the adjournment of the session in which they shall have passed, unless the commencement of the operation thereof be expressly otherwise directed. History (1799, c. 527, P.R.; R.C., c. 52, s. 35; 1868-9, c. 270, s. 1; Code, s. 2862; Rev., s. 4417; C.S., s. 6105; 1995, c. 20, s. 3.) Editor's Note. - Session Laws 1995, c. 20, s. 17, provided that sections 1 through 16 of that act would become effective only if the constitutional amendments proposed by Session Laws 1995, c. 5, ss. 1-2 were approved as provided by Session Laws 1995, c. 5, ss. 3-4, to be decided in the November, 1996, election, and if so approved, sections 1 through 16 would become effective with respect to bills and joint resolutions passed in either house of the General Assembly on or after January 1, 1997. The constitutional amendments to N.C. Const., Art. II, § 22, and Art. III, § 5, were approved. Session Laws 2009-273, s. 1, as amended by Session Laws 2010-152, s. 25.2, provides: "The General Statutes Commission shall study and recommend ways to make the General Statutes and the North Carolina Constitution gender neutral. These may include recommending legislative changes needed to make the General Statutes and the Constitution gender neutral and a process to be authorized by the General Assembly whereby changes that do not change the law can be made administratively by the Attorney General to make the General Statutes gender neutral." Session Laws 2012-194, s. 44.5, provides: "Any act of the 2011 Regular Session that refers to a bill of the '2012 Regular Session' shall be deemed to be a reference to a bill of the 2011 Regular Session."
Frequently Asked Questions About North Carolina § 120-20
What does North Carolina General Statutes § 120-20 cover?
Section 120-20 ("When acts take effect.") is part of the North Carolina General Statutes, the codified statutory law of North Carolina. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite North Carolina § 120-20?
A common citation format is "North Carolina General Statutes § 120-20" (North Carolina). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of North Carolina law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the North Carolina official source linked on this page or consult a licensed North Carolina attorney.
How does North Carolina § 120-20 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in North Carolina can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in North Carolina.