North Carolina § 7A-49 - 5. Statewide electronic filing in courts.

§ 7A-49. 5. Statewide electronic filing in courts.

The General Assembly finds that the electronic filing of pleadings and other documents required to be filed with the courts may be a more economical, efficient, and satisfactory procedure to handle the volumes of paperwork routinely filed with, handled by, and disseminated by the courts of this State, and therefore authorizes the use of electronic filing in the courts of this State. The Supreme Court may adopt rules governing this process and associated costs and may supervise its implementation and operation through the Administrative Office of the Courts. The rules adopted under this section shall address the waiver of electronic fees for indigents. The Supreme Court shall promulgate rules authorizing electronic filing and electronic signatures in the General Court of Justice. The rules shall require registration to participate in electronic filing and provide security procedures that include a mandatory submission of a form of identification to electronically file pro se. The Administrative Office of the Courts may contract with a vendor to provide electronic filing in the courts. Any funds received by the Administrative Office of the Courts from the vendor selected pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, other than applicable statutory court costs, as a result of electronic filing, shall be deposited in the Court Information Technology Fund in accordance with G.S. 7A-343.2. History (2006-187, s. 2(c); 2007-323, s. 14.17(c); 2012-142, s. 16.5(f); 2019-243, s. 3(a).) Editor's Note. - Session Laws 2006-187, s. 13, provides in part: "Section 2 of this act is effective when it becomes law [August 3, 2006] and applies to all matters filed with the courts on or after the date that the Supreme Court adopts rules for electronic filing as authorized by that section." Session Laws 2019-243, s. 3(b), provides: "No later than March 1, 2020, the Administrative Office of the Courts shall report the rules promulgated pursuant to G.S. 7A-49.5(b1) to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Justice and Public Safety." Effect of Amendments. - Session Laws 2012-142, s. 16.5(f), effective July 2, 2012, and expiring June 30, 2013, inserted "and Facilities" near the end of subsection (d). Session Laws 2019-243, s. 3(a), effective November 6, 2019, added subsection (b1).