Special to IFN

The N.C. House of Representatives on Tuesday passed House Bill 307, “Iryna’s Law,” with a bipartisan, veto-proof majority. Named in memory of Iryna Zarutska—who was killed in Charlotte last month by a repeat violent offender on pretrial despite severe mental health issues—the legislation ensures stronger protections for victims and communities.

The bill now heads to the Gov. Josh Stein’s desk for his consideration.

Key provisions of Iryna’s Law include:

♦ Ending cashless bail: Certain defendants will no longer be released on a mere written promise to appear in court.

♦Stricter rules for violent offenders: Creates a new “violent offense” category requiring secured bond or house arrest with GPS monitoring for first-time offenders under pretrial release, and mandatory house arrest with monitoring for second-time offenders. For defendants with three or more convictions in the past 10 years—violent or not—judges must impose a secured bond or electronic monitoring.

♦Restricting judicial loopholes: Reduces magistrates’ and judges’ discretion that has allowed violent and repeat offenders to walk free before trial.

♦Mandatory mental health evaluations: Judicial officials must order an evaluation if a defendant is charged with a violent offense and has been involuntarily committed within the past three years, or if credible evidence shows a current mental health crisis. If medical professionals determine the defendant poses a danger, involuntary commitment proceedings must begin before pretrial release conditions are set.

♦Death penalty reforms: Restoring enforcement by requiring appeals to be heard within two years, resolving older appeals within one year, holding hearings in the county of conviction, and adding an aggravating factor for capital felonies committed against victims using public transportation.

“For too long, activist judges and magistrates have turned dangerous criminals loose, endangering lives and spreading chaos in our communities,” House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Caldwell) said. “That ends now. Iryna Zarutska’s murder is a tragic reminder of what’s at stake. That’s why we are delivering some of the strongest tough-on-crime reforms in North Carolina history.”