North Carolina Rep. Stevens’s Alena’s Law on presumption of death passes both chambers of North Carolina General Assembly

Passed bill Alena’s Law, sponsored by State Rep. Stevens, aims to establish a presumption of death for individuals missing after a disaster declaration and outlines civil procedures for managing their property, according to the North Carolina State House.

In the House, 46 Democrats and 65 Republicans voted in favor of the bill.

Meanwhile, in the Senate, 15 Democrats and 27 Republicans voted in favor of the bill.

Stevens filed the bill in the North Carolina House on March 26 during the 2025 regular session.

The legislation, known as HB 537, was passed on June 19 during the 2025 regular session.

According to the North Carolina General Assembly site, the bill’s official text was formally listed with the short title: “Alena’s Law.”

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill, known as Alena’s Law, amends North Carolina statutes to allow a presumption of death when a person’s disappearance coincides with a disaster declaration. If a person remains absent for at least 90 days following a disaster declaration, this absence creates a rebuttable presumption of death. Additionally, the bill outlines procedures for initiating a civil action to appoint a receiver for the property of a missing person. This action can be filed if an individual is absent for 30 days and their whereabouts remain unknown. The complaint must include details about the absentee and their property, and involve all interested parties. The act becomes effective upon becoming law and applies to relevant complaints filed thereafter.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Sarah Stevens (Republican-90th District) and Rep. Dudley Greene (Republican-85th District).

Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.

You can read more about the bills and other measures here.

Stevens graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1981 with a BS and again in 1986 from Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law with a JD.

Stevens, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2009 to represent the state’s 90th House district, replacing previous state representative Jim Harrell.

Under North Carolina law, bills must receive three readings in each chamber. According to the UNC School of Government, once a bill “passes its constitutionally required second reading and moves to its constitutionally required third reading,” additional debate can occur, but the final stage is often treated as a formality. Unless a legislator requests a roll-call, the third reading may be approved by voice vote or unanimous consent without a separate recorded tally.