Governor Josh Stein signed House Bill 307, known as “Iryna’s Law,” into law on Thursday, October 3. The legislation, recently approved by both chambers of the North Carolina General Assembly, introduces a series of criminal justice reforms aimed at tightening pretrial release policies, addressing repeat offenders, and expediting death penalty appeals.
According to lawmakers, the measure was inspired by the August 22, 2025, killing of Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte train. The bill eliminates cashless bail and limits the discretion of judges and magistrates when determining pretrial release conditions for certain defendants.
Under the new law, a new category of “violent offenses” is created, requiring judges and magistrates to impose specific pretrial conditions, including GPS monitoring. First-time violent offenders may be released only on secured bond or under house arrest with electronic monitoring. Those charged with a second or subsequent violent offense must have both secured bond and electronic monitoring.
The law also includes new requirements for repeat offenders. Anyone convicted of three or more offenses within the last ten years, regardless of the type of crime, must be placed under secured bond or house arrest with electronic monitoring before release.
Addressing concerns over mental health in the criminal justice system, the bill requires judicial officials to order mental health evaluations in certain circumstances. This applies to defendants charged with violent crimes who have been involuntarily committed in the last three years, or when officials have reason to believe a defendant poses a danger to themselves or others. If a mental health examiner determines the defendant needs commitment, the examiner must initiate proceedings.
House Bill 307 also modifies procedures surrounding death penalty cases. Appeals in such cases must now be heard within two years of filing, with extensions allowed only in exceptional situations. Cases filed more than two years ago must be scheduled for hearings by December 2026, with those hearings completed by December 2027. Additionally, any capital felony committed while the victim was using public transportation is now considered an aggravating factor that can support seeking the death penalty.
The legislation includes several other reforms:
• Judicial officials must review a defendant’s criminal history before setting pretrial conditions.
• Officials must provide written explanations for their decisions on release conditions.
• Failure to include these written findings may serve as grounds for removal from office.
• The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court or Chief District Court Judge may initiate suspension proceedings for magistrates.
• The North Carolina Collaboratory is tasked with studying the connection between mental health and the criminal justice system for both adults and juveniles, as well as evaluating the use of house arrest and potential alternative execution methods.
Supporters say the law will help prevent violent and repeat offenders from being released too easily and strengthen accountability within the judicial system.