S168 - Omnibus Administration of Justice Changes

• Repeals G.S. 7A-6(c) regarding distribution of appellate reporter advance sheets to reduce printing and distribution costs.

• Increases maximum insurance beneficiary distributions for minors from $25,000 to $50,000 and increases maximum estate distributions to minors from $1,500 to $5,000.

• Increases surviving spouse's yearly allowance from $30,000 to $60,000, effective January 1, 2019.

• Modifies arrest warrant procedures to allow issuance based on citizen-initiated complaints supported by affidavit or oral testimony under oath, with specified corroboration requirements, effective October 1, 2018.

• Adds comprehensive foreclosure sale cancellation notice requirements to G.S. 45-21.21, requiring written notice to the Clerk before scheduled sale time and public announcement if notice not received; effective July 1, 2018.

• Establishes Indigent Defense Services model appointment plan with minimum qualification standards for appointed private counsel, with implementation deadline of January 2, 2021 for non-compliant judicial districts.

• Clarifies confidentiality protections for court proceeding notification system records and exempts such calls from automatic dialing restrictions.