A new bill filed by State Rep. Sarah Stevens in the North Carolina House seeks to create a legal presumption of death for individuals missing following disaster declarations, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 537 on March 26 during the 2025 regular session, 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.
Of the two sponsors of this bill, Stevens proposed the most bills (16) during the 2025 regular session.
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.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarah Stevens and Dudley Greene | HB 537 | 03/26/2025 | Alena’s Law. |
| Sarah Stevens, Brian Biggs, Jennifer Balkcom, and Neal Jackson | HB 535 | 03/26/2025 | Title Fraud Prevention Act. |
| Sarah Stevens, Brian Biggs, Jennifer Balkcom, and Kyle Hall | HB 478 | 03/20/2025 | Modify Appointment Process for DA Vacancies. |
| Sarah Stevens, Brian Biggs, Laura Budd, and Ya Liu | HB 431 | 03/18/2025 | Preventing Deed Fraud. |
| Sarah Stevens, Cody Huneycutt, Hugh Blackwell, and Kyle Hall | HB 443 | 03/18/2025 | Const. Amendment: Council of State Vacancies. |
| Sarah Stevens, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Charles W. Miller, and Jennifer Balkcom | HB 449 | 03/18/2025 | Crimes Against Minors/Revise Law. |
| Sarah Stevens and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 426 | 03/17/2025 | Workforce Diploma Program. |
| Sarah Stevens | HB 388 | 03/12/2025 | Amend Business Corporations Act. |
| Sarah Stevens | HB 377 | 03/11/2025 | Changes to Estates and Trusts Statutes. |
| Sarah Stevens | HB 334 | 03/06/2025 | GSC Unif. Community Prop. Disp. at Death Act. |
| Sarah Stevens | HB 307 | 03/05/2025 | Various Criminal Law Revisions. |
| Sarah Stevens | HB 308 | 03/05/2025 | Criminal Law Changes. |
| Sarah Stevens | HB 237 | 02/26/2025 | Child Welfare. |
| Sarah Stevens, Hugh Blackwell, Kyle Hall, and Mike Schietzelt | HB 182 | 02/24/2025 | Rev. Law Perm. Protect Order/Child Abuse. |
| Sarah Stevens and Keith Kidwell | HB 188 | 02/24/2025 | Automatic Renewal of Contracts. |
| Sarah Stevens, Carson Smith, Grant L. Campbell, MD, and Jennifer Balkcom | HB 164 | 02/21/2025 | Parental Consent to Release Child Autopsies. |
