S 666 Summary

• Modifies health care power of attorney requirements to allow execution with either two qualified witnesses OR acknowledgment before a notary public (previously required both witnesses and notary in some cases).

• Updates advance directive (living will) form requirements to permit execution with either two qualified witnesses OR notary acknowledgment, changing from previous "and" to "or" language.

• Authorizes the North Carolina Secretary of State to accept electronic filings of health care powers of attorney, advance directives, mental health treatment instructions, anatomical gifts, and HIPAA waivers in the Advance Health Care Directive Registry.

• Requires all documents submitted electronically or as hard copies to the registry to be notarized, with exception for anatomical gift declarations, and directs the Secretary to issue wallet-size cards with file numbers and passwords to filers.

• Effective date: October 1, 2021.