Iryna’s Law clears North Carolina General Assembly, more than a month after the Ukrainian refugee was stabbed to death; bail limits, mental-health checks, capital-case changes
What does the bill do
The legislation, which cleansed the Senate with 28-8 votes following the previous Parliament’s approval, represents one of the most important justice revisions of the state in the years:
- Bail restrictions: The courts should impose guaranteed bonds or house arrest for those who have at least three prisoners in severe crimes or within 10 years.
- PENALTY DEVELOPMENTS: Hard penalties will be imposed when crimes occur in public transport procedures, which is an added provision after the killing of Zarutska.
- Mental Health Controls: Judges should order assessments for certain defendants, but the measure provides a fund to work on system integration rather than new treatment programs.
- Death Penalty Revival: Since 2006, the bill allows execution methods such as fire teams or electric chairs to address legal barriers that prevent executions in North Carolina.
- Prosecutor’s support: In order to address the increasing case loads, 10 new prosecutors are allocated to Mecklenburg district of Mecklenburg.
The Republican leaders, led by Senate President Pro tempor Phil Berger, refer to the bill in response to increasing crimes and the failure of existing bail policies.
Democrats left. Some supported the measure, but others organized marches on the provisions of the death penalty, and warned that the rules of more strict bail will affect the poor defendants in a disproportionate way. Civil Rights groups also criticized the lack of funds for mental health treatment despite the new evaluation requirements.
The bill now goes to a Democratic Governor Josh Stein and did not say whether he would sign it. Stein expressed support for stronger security measures, but he questioned the re -revival of the death penalty by making a politically accused decision.
