Criminal Justice

signed · North Carolina · House Oct 3, 2025

HB 307: Iryna's Law.

HB 307, "Iryna's Law," modifies North Carolina's pretrial release rules for defendants charged with specific violent offenses, including murder, rape, and certain sexual offenses against children. It requires police to inform judicial officials about defendant behavior observed during arrest that suggests danger to self/others, and restricts pretrial release for those charged with the listed violent crimes. The bill also extends probation terms for youth convicted of violent offenses, mandates victim notification when probation ends, and appropriates funds for additional legal staff in Judicial District 26. These changes directly affect defendants facing violent crime charges, victims, and court resources in the specified district.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts pretrial release for violent offenses and extends probation terms, increasing custody duration and limiting defendant rights.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

passed both · North Carolina · House Sep 22, 2025

HB 42: Back the Blue Pay Act.

This bill revises North Carolina's burglary and breaking-and-entering laws to increase penalties when a firearm or deadly weapon is used. It raises the felony classification by one level for offenses like burglary (first/second degree), breaking out of a dwelling at night, or entering a building with intent to commit a felony or terrorize occupants, if a weapon was present during the crime. The law directly affects individuals convicted of these specific offenses when a firearm was involved, not the general public. It does not change sentencing for weapon-free offenses or address police pay, despite the title "Back the Blue Pay Act" suggesting otherwise. The changes take effect December 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for weapon-assisted burglaries by raising felony classifications - directly expanding criminalization and mandatory sentencing per bill summary.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

Track

signed · North Carolina · House Jul 29, 2025

HB 318: The Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act.

HB 318 requires North Carolina county jails and detention facilities to check the immigration status of individuals charged with specific offenses (including certain felonies, misdemeanors, and impaired driving) and to notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) if a detainer is issued. If ICE issues a detainer, facilities must hold the person for up to 48 hours (or until ICE takes custody) and notify ICE 2 hours before the person would otherwise be released. For pretrial defendants facing similar charges, the bill mandates a two-hour hold to allow ICE to issue a detainer; if none is received, the defendant must be released. The law also shields state officials from liability when following these procedures.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRequires local jails to hold individuals for ICE detainers, reducing defendant rights and expanding immigration enforcement within criminal justice system85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates local jails to verify immigration status and hold individuals for ICE detainers, increasing state cooperation with federal enforcement per bill's requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · North Carolina · Senate Jul 9, 2025

SB 311: The Law and Order Act.

SB 311, titled "The Law and Order Act," increases penalties for assaulting utility and communications workers while they are identifiable in uniform and performing duties. It also creates new offenses, including criminal possession of embalming fluid, larceny of gift cards, and unlawful possession of certain explosive devices. The bill enhances punishments for reckless driving causing death, hit-and-run offenses, and firearm use by felons during crimes, while adding a mitigating factor for impaired drivers using ignition interlocks. Additional provisions revise burglary penalties, expand workplace violence prevention to cover mass picketing, and establish civil liability for gift card theft. The bill directly affects workers in essential services and individuals committing specified violent or property crimes.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for multiple offenses, creates new crimes (e.g., embalming fluid possession), and enhances punishments without reform elements, expanding criminalization.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · North Carolina · Senate Jul 9, 2025

SB 429: 2025 Public Safety Act.

SB 429 creates new criminal offenses for knowingly exposing children under 16 to controlled substances (like drugs or opioids), with penalties ranging from a Class H felony (exposure alone) to a Class B1 felony (if exposure causes death). It also revises rules for sharing autopsy records: medical examiners must provide finalized toxicology and autopsy reports to prosecutors during criminal investigations, but public disclosure is restricted to specific recipients like family members or estate representatives. The law applies to offenses occurring on or after December 1, 2025, and excludes cases where a medical professional administers prescribed medication to a child. This bill directly affects caregivers, medical examiners, and prosecutors handling child exposure cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offenses for drug exposure to minors with enhanced penalties (Class B1 felony for causing death), expanding criminalization and increasing sentencing severity, opposing reform efforts.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · North Carolina · House Jul 2, 2025

HB 620: Administrative Office of the Courts Agency Requests.

HB 620 adds High Point University School of Law to the list of educational institutions receiving five free copies of appellate court reports annually. It establishes a new program within the Administrative Office of the Courts to oversee local accountability and recovery courts, requiring annual reports on their operation and effectiveness. The bill also prohibits modifying court forms without clear notation of changes and removes public notice requirements for name changes when applicants are in address confidentiality programs or victims of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking, keeping related records private. These changes directly affect courts, law schools, attorneys, and individuals seeking name changes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes program for recovery courts (addressing substance abuse) with annual effectiveness reports, directly supporting criminal justice reform through rehabilitation oversight.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

passed · North Carolina · House May 8, 2025

HB 781: Unauthorized Public Camping and Sleeping.

HB 781 bans unauthorized public camping or sleeping on public property across North Carolina, directly affecting individuals experiencing homelessness and local governments. It prohibits counties and municipalities from allowing such activities, but permits them to designate specific public property for temporary camping for up to one year. These designated sites must meet standards for safety, sanitation (including restrooms and water), and access to behavioral health services, and prohibit illegal substance use. Such designations require certification from the Department of Health and Human Services, which assesses factors like shelter bed availability and proximity to residential areas. Residents or businesses can take legal action against local governments that fail to enforce the ban.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCriminalizes homelessness through trespassing penalties, expanding criminalization of poverty-related behavior without addressing root causes.95% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBans unauthorized public camping/sleeping, restricting housing access for homeless individuals and limiting local government options to address homelessness, contradicting housing support indicators.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

Track

passed · North Carolina · House May 7, 2025

HB 681: Update Opioid Abatement Treatment Program Rules.

HB 681 directs the Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services to update state rules for outpatient opioid treatment programs (OTPs). The bill aims to align these rules more closely with federal regulations governing medications for opioid use disorder, affecting patients receiving treatment and the OTPs providing care. Key changes include removing home environment stability as a criterion for take-home medication and prohibiting administrative discharge due to continued substance use or missed doses. It also reduces the frequency of required drug tests, removes observed testing, and allows OTPs to administer methadone to non-enrolled patients. The Commission must engage with clients and providers for input and publish the proposed amended rules by July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves barriers to opioid treatment (home environment stability), aligning with federal standards to improve access and reduce recidivism through rehabilitation, supporting criminal justice reform.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves home stability barrier for take-home meds and prohibits administrative discharge, improving patient access to opioid treatment under federal-aligned rules.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track

passed · North Carolina · House May 5, 2025

HB 483: Juvenile Justice Legislative Proposals.

HB 483 proposes several changes to juvenile justice procedures. The bill extends the maximum terms of probation and post-release supervision for youth adjudicated of certain violent offenses (Class A, B1, or B2 felonies) to up to three years. It clarifies a victim's right to be notified and heard regarding the termination of a juvenile's probation or post-release supervision. Additionally, the bill modifies criteria for secure custody, allowing a superior court judge to issue such an order after a case is moved to juvenile court and authorizing it for juveniles who violate domestic violence protective orders.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExtends probation terms for violent juvenile offenses, increasing supervision duration and punitive sentencing measures per bill's explicit language.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

Track

passed · North Carolina · House May 5, 2025

HB 908: Modify Civil Commitment Hearing Procedures.

This bill modifies North Carolina's civil commitment hearing procedures by giving judges discretion to dismiss criminal charges when a defendant lacks the capacity to proceed. Currently, judges are required to dismiss charges under certain conditions, but this change would allow them to decide whether dismissal is appropriate in each case. The law applies to offenses committed on or after the bill becomes effective. It affects criminal defendants who have mental health or cognitive issues that prevent them from participating in their own defense.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill grants judges discretion to dismiss charges for defendants lacking capacity, aligning with criminal justice reform by protecting civil rights and reducing unnecessary prosecutions of vulnerable individuals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

Track