North Carolina 2025 Session Status: Passed House 5 R cosponsors

HB 698 — Center for Missing Persons to Highway Patrol.

Last action — Special Message Sent To Senate

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has passed the House. Introduced April 02, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.

Next likely step: consideration and a floor vote in the Senate.

Prognosis

Advancing 56% · moderate confidence

Where this bill stands today.

Odds of enactment

Moderate

How often bills like it became law.

  • Passed House

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 5 sponsors

    1 primary, 4 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (5 R).

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 1 recorded vote so far.

Prognosis reads this bill's own signals — stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes and cross-state momentum. Odds come from a model trained on which bills have become law.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

215 added · 214 removed

Plain-language change summary

The updated version of Bill HB 698 modifies the structure of the North Carolina Center for Missing Persons, now placing it under the purview of the State Highway Patrol within the Department of Public Safety. This change aims to enhance the effectiveness of the Center by ensuring it is organized and operated more efficiently. Additionally, the amendment clarifies the authority of the Secretary of the Department to appoint personnel, potentially improving the agency's ability to respond to cases of missing persons, especially children. This reorganization is significant as it underscores the state's commitment to prioritizing and managing missing persons cases.

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GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2025 H 2 HOUSE BILL 698 Committee Substitute Favorable 4/30/25 Short Title:
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2025 H 1 HOUSE BILL 698 Short Title:
Representatives Miller and Pyrtle (Primary Sponsors).
For a complete list of sponsors, refer to the North Carolina General Assembly web site.
April 3, 2025 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO TRANSFER THE NORTH CAROLINA CENTER FOR MISSING PERSONS TO THE STATE HIGHWAY PATROL.
Emergency Management and Disaster Recovery, if favorable, State and Local Government, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House April 3, 2025 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO TRANSFER THE NORTH CAROLINA CENTER FOR MISSING PERSONS TO THE STATE HIGHWAY PATROL.
There is established within the Department of Public Safety State Highway Patrol the North Carolina Center for Missing Persons, which shall be organized and staffed in accordance with applicable laws.
*H698-v-1* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 There is established within the Department of Public Safety State Highway Patrol the North Carolina Center for Missing Persons, which shall be organized and staffed in accordance with applicable laws.
The purpose of the Center is to serve as a central repository for information *H698-v-2* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 regarding missing persons and missing children, with special emphasis on missing children.
The purpose of the Center is to serve as a central repository for information regarding missing persons and missing children, with special emphasis on missing children.
… "§ 143B-1768.
… Page 2 House Bill 698-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 "§ 143B-1768.
… Page 2 House Bill 698-Second Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (4) Any person engaged in bona fide research when approved by the Secretary;
… (4) Any person engaged in bona fide research when approved by the Secretary;
"§ 143B-1772.
House Bill 698-First Edition Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 "§ 143B-1772.
The purpose of the Missing Endangered System Silver Alert House Bill 698-Second Edition Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 is to provide a statewide system for the rapid dissemination of information regarding a missing person or missing child aged 65 or older who is believed to be suffering from dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or a cognitive impairment that, in light of the person's or child's missing status, requires the person or child to be protected from potential abuse or other physical harm, neglect, or exploitation.that causes an irreversible deterioration of intellectual faculties that makes them unable to meet their own needs or to seek help without assistance.
The purpose of the Missing Endangered System Silver Alert is to provide a statewide system for the rapid dissemination of information regarding a missing person or missing child aged 65 or older who is believed to be suffering from dementia, Alzheimer's disease, or a cognitive impairment that, in light of the person's or child's missing status, requires the person or child to be protected from potential abuse or other physical harm, neglect, or exploitation.that causes an irreversible deterioration of intellectual faculties that makes them unable to meet their own needs or to seek help without assistance.
(b) If the Center receives a request that involves a missing person or missing child as described in subsection (a) of this section, and at the time of receipt no more than 72 hours have passed since the person or child went missing, the Center shall issue an alert providing for rapid disseminationofinformationstatewideregardingthemissingpersonormissingchild.TheCenter shall make every effort to disseminate the information as quickly as possible when the person's or child's status as missing has been reported to a law enforcement agency, including procedures for the use of the Wireless Emergency Alert.
(b) If the Center receives a request that involves a missing person or missing child as described in subsection (a) of this section, and at the time of receipt no more than 72 hours have passed since the person or child went missing, the Center shall issue an alert providing for rapid disseminationofinformationstatewideregardingthemissingpersonormissingchild.TheCenter shall make every effort to disseminate the information as quickly as possible when the person's Page 4 House Bill 698-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 or child's status as missing has been reported to a law enforcement agency, including procedures for the use of the Wireless Emergency Alert.
(c) The Center shall adopt guidelines and develop procedures for issuing a 90-day alert for missing persons and missing children as described in subsection (a) of this section and shall Page 4 House Bill 698-Second Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 provide education and training to encourage radio and television broadcasters to participate in the alert.
(c) The Center shall adopt guidelines and develop procedures for issuing a 90-day alert for missing persons and missing children as described in subsection (a) of this section and shall provide education and training to encourage radio and television broadcasters to participate in the alert.
(c) The Center shall adopt guidelines and develop procedures for issuing a 30-day alert for missing persons as described in subsection (a) of this section and shall provide education and training to encourage radio and television broadcasters to participate in the alert." SECTION 5.
(c) The Center shall adopt guidelines and develop procedures for issuing a 30-day alert for missing persons as described in subsection (a) of this section and shall provide education and training to encourage radio and television broadcasters to participate in the alert." House Bill 698-First Edition Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 5.
This act becomes effective July 1, 2025.
This act is effective when it becomes law.
House Bill 698-Second Edition Page 5
Page 6 House Bill 698-First Edition
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View plain text versions (3)

How this bill changes current law

5 changes Share ↗

Compared against the N.C. General Statutes as published AI-generated reading aid — verify against the official bill.

The bill transfers the North Carolina Center for Missing Persons from the Department of Public Safety to the State Highway Patrol.

  • G.S. 143A-6

    its statutory authority, powers, duties, and functions, records, personnel, property, unexpended balances of appropriations, allocations or other funds, including the functions of budgeting and purchasing, are transferred to the principal department. → All functions, powers, duties, and obligations vested in the North Carolina Center for Missing Persons in the Department of Public Safety are transferred to, vested in, and consolidated within the State Highway Patrol by a Type I transfer, as defined in G.S. 143A-6.

    This change consolidates the functions of the Center for Missing Persons under the authority of the State Highway Patrol.

  • G.S. 143B-1021

    Recodified as G.S. 143B-1771 by Session Laws 2025-4, s. 5.1(c), effective May 14, 2025.

    This section is now recodified to change its reference following the amendments.

  • G.S. 143B-1771

    There is established within the North Carolina Center for Missing Persons the AMBER Alert System. → There is established within the Department of Public Safety State Highway Patrol the North Carolina Center for Missing Persons, which shall be organized and staffed in accordance with applicable laws.

    This change reestablishes the AMBER Alert System within the new context of the Center being under the State Highway Patrol.

  • G.S. 143B-1772

    Part 4 of Article 17 of Chapter 143B of the General Statutes, as recodified by Section 3 of this act, reads as rewritten.

    This addition sets the framework for the newly defined part concerning the Center for Missing Persons.

  • G.S. 143B-1773

    North Carolina Blue Alert System established.

    This addition establishes a new alert system within the framework of the Center.

Action History

  1. Special Message Sent To Senate

  2. Special Message Received From House

  3. Passed 1st Reading

  4. Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

  5. Reptd Fav

  6. Cal Pursuant Rule 36(b)

  7. Added to Calendar

  8. Passed 2nd Reading

  9. Passed 3rd Reading

  10. Reptd Fav

  11. Re-ref Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

  12. Reptd Fav Com Substitute

  13. Re-ref Com On State and Local Government

  14. Passed 1st Reading

  15. Ref to the Com on Emergency Management and Disaster Recovery, if favorable, State and Local Government, if favorable, Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House

  16. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 4 co-sponsors · 174 not signed on · 5 voted No

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (4)

Not signed on (174)

174 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 174 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Votes

Second Reading

Passed 107 Yea · 5 Nay · 8 Other
Party YeaNayPresentNot Voting
Democratic 35504
U 2000
Unaffiliated 6000
Republican 64004
Total 107508
% of votes cast 89%4%0%7%
How each member voted (120)
Member Party Vote
CharlesSmith — Yea
vonHaefen — Yea
Campbell — Yea
Reeder — Yea
C. Smith — Yea
F. Jackson — Yea
Abe Jones Democratic Yea
Aisha O. Dew Democratic Not Voting
Allen Buansi Democratic Yea
Allison A. Dahle Democratic Yea
Amber M. Baker Democratic Not Voting
Amos L. Quick, III Democratic Not Voting
B. Ray Jeffers Democratic Yea
Becky Carney Democratic Yea
Beth Helfrich Democratic Yea
Brandon Lofton Democratic Yea
Brian Turner Democratic Yea
Bryan Cohn Democratic Yea
Carolyn G. Logan Democratic Nay
Cecil Brockman Democratic Yea
Cynthia Ball Democratic Yea
Dante Pittman Democratic Yea
Deb Butler Democratic Yea
Eric Ager Democratic Yea
Garland E. Pierce Democratic Yea
Gloristine Brown Democratic Yea
James Roberson Democratic Yea
Jordan Lopez Democratic Yea
Julia Greenfield Democratic Yea
Kanika Brown Democratic Yea
Laura Budd Democratic Yea
Lindsey Prather Democratic Not Voting
Marcia Morey Democratic Yea
Maria Cervania Democratic Nay
Mary Belk Democratic Yea
Mike Colvin Democratic Yea
Monika Johnson-Hostler Democratic Yea
Phil Rubin Democratic Nay
Pricey Harrison Democratic Nay
Renée A. Price Democratic Yea
Robert T. Reives, II Democratic Yea
Rodney D. Pierce Democratic Yea
Sarah Crawford Democratic Yea
Shelly Willingham Democratic Yea
Terry M. Brown Jr. Democratic Yea
Tim Longest Democratic Yea
Tracy Clark Democratic Yea
Vernetta Alston Democratic Yea
Ya Liu Democratic Yea
Zack Hawkins Democratic Nay
A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr. Republican Yea
Allen Chesser Republican Yea
Ben T. Moss, Jr. Republican Not Voting
Bill Ward Republican Yea
Blair Eddins Republican Yea
Brenden H. Jones Republican Yea
Brian Biggs Republican Yea
Brian Echevarria Republican Yea
Celeste C. Cairns Republican Yea
Charles W. Miller Republican Yea
Chris Humphrey Republican Yea
Cody Huneycutt Republican Not Voting
David Willis Republican Yea
Dean Arp Republican Yea
Dennis Riddell Republican Yea
Destin Hall Republican Not Voting
Diane Wheatley Republican Yea
Donna McDowell White Republican Yea
Donnie Loftis Republican Yea
Donny Lambeth Republican Yea
Dudley Greene Republican Yea
Edward C. Goodwin Republican Yea
Erin Paré Republican Yea
Frank Iler Republican Yea
Harry Warren Republican Yea
Heather H. Rhyne Republican Yea
Howard Penny, Jr. Republican Yea
Hugh Blackwell Republican Yea
Jarrod Lowery Republican Yea
Jay Adams Republican Yea
Jeff Zenger Republican Yea
Jeffrey C. McNeely Republican Yea
Jennifer Balkcom Republican Yea
Jerry "Alan" Branson Republican Yea
Jimmy Dixon Republican Yea
John A. Torbett Republican Yea
John M. Blust Republican Yea
John R. Bell, IV Republican Yea
John Sauls Republican Yea
Jonathan L. Almond Republican Yea
Joseph Pike Republican Yea
Julia C. Howard Republican Yea
Karl E. Gillespie Republican Yea
Keith Kidwell Republican Yea
Kelly E. Hastings Republican Yea
Kyle Hall Republican Yea
Larry C. Strickland Republican Yea
Larry W. Potts Republican Yea
Mark Brody Republican Yea
Mark Pless Republican Yea
Matthew Winslow Republican Yea
Mike Clampitt Republican Not Voting
Mike Schietzelt Republican Yea
Mitchell S. Setzer Republican Yea
Neal Jackson Republican Yea
Paul Scott Republican Yea
Phil Shepard Republican Yea
Ray Pickett Republican Yea
Sam Watford Republican Yea
Sarah Stevens Republican Yea
Stephen M. Ross Republican Yea
Steve Tyson Republican Yea
Ted Davis, Jr. Republican Yea
Todd Carver Republican Yea
Todd Johnson Republican Yea
Tricia Ann Cotham Republican Yea
William D. Brisson Republican Yea
Wyatt Gable Republican Yea
Carla D. Cunningham U Yea
Nasif Majeed U Yea

Official roll call →

Subjects

public-safety transportation
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors HB 698?
HB 698 is sponsored by Bill Ward (Republican), Ben T. Moss, Jr. (Republican), Donnie Loftis (Republican), A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr. (Republican), and Charles W. Miller (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 698?
This bill has passed the House. Introduced April 02, 2025. It now moves to the second chamber.
Where can I track HB 698?
Track HB 698 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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