A new bill filed by State Rep. Brenden H. Jones in the North Carolina House seeks to regulate court filings by individuals adjudicated as incompetent through guardian or legal counsel oversight, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 354 on March 10 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Civil Procedure/Gatekeeper Orders/Database.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill amends Rule 17 of the North Carolina Rules of Civil Procedure by introducing provisions for issuing gatekeeper orders. Specifically, it mandates that individuals adjudicated as incompetent may file court pleadings only through their guardian or legal counsel. If such individuals attempt to file on their own, the court is required to strike the filing and issue a gatekeeper order to prevent further unauthorized filings. Additionally, the bill directs the Administrative Office of the Courts to develop a database of all individuals adjudicated as incompetent in North Carolina, accessible to judges and Clerks of Superior Court. This act takes effect Dec. 1, 2025, and applies to actions and proceedings commenced or ongoing on or after that date.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Charles W. Miller proposed the most bills (24) 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.
Jones, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2017 to represent the state’s 46th House district, replacing previous state representative Ken Waddell.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brenden H. Jones, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Charles W. Miller, and Dudley Greene | HB 354 | 03/10/2025 | Civil Procedure/Gatekeeper Orders/Database. |
| Brenden H. Jones, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Charles W. Miller, and Dudley Greene | HB 355 | 03/10/2025 | OSFM to Study Future of Rural Firefighting. |
| Brenden H. Jones, Frank Iler, Karl E. Gillespie, and Steve Tyson | HB 295 | 03/05/2025 | Req. DOT to Install Prop. Corner Markers. |
| Brenden H. Jones, Celeste C. Cairns, Howard Penny, Jr., and William D. Brisson | HB 296 | 03/05/2025 | Corn Farmer Recovery Act – Phase I. |
| Brenden H. Jones, Brian Echevarria, Carson Smith, and Destin Hall | HB 318 | 03/05/2025 | The Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act. |
| Brenden H. Jones, Celeste C. Cairns, Kyle Hall, and Mike Clampitt | HB 276 | 03/04/2025 | Align Benefits for Firefighters with Cancer. |
| Brenden H. Jones, Brian Biggs, Brian Echevarria, and Neal Jackson | HB 244 | 02/27/2025 | Depoliticize Government Property Act. |
| Brenden H. Jones, Allen Chesser, Bill Ward, and Jarrod Lowery | HB 224 | 02/26/2025 | Strengthen Our Tribal Communities Act. |
| Brenden H. Jones, Carson Smith, and Jake Johnson | HB 218 | 02/25/2025 | Emergency Info on DMV Applications. |
| Brenden H. Jones | HB 220 | 02/25/2025 | Tabor City/Certain Public Enterprise Funds. |
| Brenden H. Jones | HB 221 | 02/25/2025 | Tabor City/Railroad Revitalization Project. |
| Brenden H. Jones, Jake Johnson, Jarrod Lowery, and Matthew Winslow | HB 222 | 02/25/2025 | C.O.O.P.E.R. Accountability Act. |
| Brenden H. Jones, Blair Eddins, Jarrod Lowery, and Neal Jackson | HB 171 | 02/21/2025 | Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI. |
| Brenden H. Jones | HB 116 | 02/12/2025 | Local Bd. of Ed. Election Changes. |
| Brenden H. Jones, Allen Chesser, Heather H. Rhyne, and Jay Adams | HB 35 | 02/03/2025 | Establish Military Appreciation Month. |
