North Carolina General Assembly - Iryna's Law, Back the Blue, Criminal Justice

During the week ending on September 26th, the North Carolina Senate passed critical legislative initiatives, focused on criminal justice and healthcare.

Iryna's Law

The North Carolina Senate passed House Bill 307, "Iryna's Law," which includes criminal justice reforms tackling weak crime policies that contributed to Iryna Zarutska's murder.

"Iryna's Law," eliminates cashless bail, removes some magistrate and judge's discretion and imposes more incarceration safeguards for violent and repeat offenders.

The bill creates a new category of "violent offenses" where a judge or magistrate must impose certain pretrial release conditions, including GPS monitoring.  

For first-time violent offenders, the only options are a secured bond or house arrest with electronic monitoring. For subsequent offenses, the only option for release is a secured bond and house arrest with electronic monitoring. For repeat offenders, the bill requires judicial officials to impose a secured bond or house arrest with electronic monitoring on any defendant convicted of three or more offenses in the last 10 years, regardless of the violent nature of those offenses.

The bill also requires a new protocol where judicial officials must order mental health evaluations.

Back the Blue Pay Act

The North Carolina Senate unanimously approved the "Back the Blue Pay Act," which creates a first-of-its-kind, state-funded bonus for state and local law enforcement officers and implements the Senate budget's law enforcement pay plan.

The law enforcement bonus provides a total of $3,000 over the biennium for state and local law enforcement officers. 

Under this bill, correctional officers will receive a 6.5% raise, for a total raise of 8.9%, including step increases. Probation and Parole Officers will receive a total raise of 6.9%, including step increases. State law enforcement officers, State Capitol Police, and law enforcement officers within the Division of Marine Fisheries, Forestry, Parks, and Wildlife Resources, will also receive a 6.5% raise. 

Death Penalty/Criminal Justice Reforms

North Carolina Senate Republicans approved a measure that seeks to revive the death penalty in the state as part of a broader criminal justice reform package.

House Bill 307, "Iryna’s Law," removes roadblocks that prevent carrying out the death penalty in North Carolina. 

Death penalty appeals will not sit indefinitely but must now be heard within two years of filing, and do not allow continuances unless the judge finds extenuating circumstances. 

Any appeal or motion that was filed more than 24 months ago must be scheduled for a hearing by December 2026, and the hearing must occur on or before December 2027. Any hearings related to a death penalty case must be held in the county where the offender was convicted.

Health Care Support

The North Carolina Senate addressed executive-level Medicaid provider rate cuts and ensured the completion of rural healthcare investments.

The "Healthcare Investment Act" increases funding for the Medicaid rebase. The Senate's proposal funds the rebase at $690 million recurring and includes separate funding for administrative needs.

It directs the Department of Health and Human Services to eliminate vacant positions and achieve savings of nearly $34 million. The department must also develop a plan to improve health outcomes, program integrity, cost savings, and efficiency measures for Medicaid.

House Bill 562 also includes the last round of funding for both the N.C. Care initiative and the N.C. Children's Hospital, per the 2023-25 state budget.

The N.C. Children's Hospital would establish the state's first freestanding children's hospital. In 2023, both the House and Senate approved nearly $320 million over three fiscal years for the hospital. This would release $103.5 million to fulfill the third-year obligation.

The N.C. Care initiative supports rural hospitals and helps establish three rural care centers. The House and Senate previously approved $420 million for N.C. Care projects, and this releases $105 million to fulfill the final obligation.