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North Carolina Legislature Sends ‘Iryna’s Law’ to Governor After House Vote

Republicans inserted an execution‑method directive alongside tougher bail and magistrate oversight in response to the Charlotte light‑rail killing.

North Carolina state Senate leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, left, speaks while House Speaker Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, listens and stands next to a photo of commuter train stabbing victim Iryna Zarutska, during a Legislative Building news conference, in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (AP Photo/Gary D. Robertson)
Rep. Tricia Cotham, R-Mecklenburg, center, holds a "Justice for Iryna" notebook before she introduces a bill in response to the murder of Ukrainian Iryna Zarutska during a North Carolina legislative session, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
Rep. Marcia Morey, D-Durham, speaks as a bill is debated that was proposed in response to the murder of Ukrainian Iryna Zarutska during a North Carolina legislative session, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
Rep. Tricia Cotham, R-Mecklenburg, introduces a bill in response to the murder of Ukrainian Iryna Zarutska during a North Carolina legislative session, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025, in Raleigh, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)

Overview

  • The House approved the omnibus bill 82–30 after a 28–8 Senate vote, sending it to Gov. Josh Stein for signature or veto.
  • The measure ends cashless bail for specified offenses, creates a new violent‑offense category requiring secured bond or GPS monitoring, and expands state authority to discipline magistrates.
  • The bill mandates mental health evaluations for defendants charged with violent offenses who were involuntarily committed in the past three years and makes renewed commitment more likely.
  • A late amendment directs the Adult Correction secretary to select an alternative execution method if lethal injection is unconstitutional or unavailable, and it seeks to speed death‑penalty appeals; executions have been paused since 2006.
  • The package funds 10 new prosecutor positions in Mecklenburg County as Democrats fault the lack of new money for police and mental‑health services, while some House Democrats joined Republicans in support, suggesting a veto could be overridden.