In the wake of a tragic killing on Charlotte’s light rail system, North Carolina lawmakers have passed a sweeping criminal justice reform bill known as Iryna’s Law, aiming to tighten pretrial rules, mandate mental health evaluations, and potentially revive executions in the state. The measure, House Bill 307, was approved by the House in an 81-31 vote on September 23, 2025, following a 28-8 Senate vote the previous day. The bill now awaits the decision of Democratic Governor Josh Stein, who has expressed support for some pretrial reforms but has not yet indicated whether he will sign or veto the legislation, according to the Associated Press.
The legislation comes in direct response to the fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, on August 22, 2025. Zarutska was attacked on Charlotte’s Blue Lynx Line after finishing work, with surveillance footage showing the suspect, 34-year-old Decarlos Brown, standing up and stabbing her three times. Zarutska died instantly, and Brown was apprehended soon after. The incident shocked the state and drew national attention, especially after the release of security video that captured the violence in real time.
Brown, who has a documented history of mental illness and 14 prior criminal charges ranging from larceny to armed robbery, had been released from jail earlier in 2025 on a misdemeanor count without bond. His mother told ABC News that he suffers from schizophrenia and had refused to take prescribed medication. Brown now faces first-degree murder charges in state court and federal charges for causing death on a mass transit system—both potentially punishable by the death penalty.
House Bill 307, named in Zarutska’s honor, aims to address perceived gaps in North Carolina’s criminal justice system that critics say allowed Brown to remain free despite his violent record. The bill eliminates cashless bail for many crimes, restricts judicial discretion in granting pretrial release, and mandates more mental health evaluations for defendants charged with violent offenses. It also adds an aggravated sentencing factor for crimes committed while victims are using public transport, a direct nod to the circumstances of Zarutska’s death, as reported by ABC News.
“For too long, activist judges and magistrates have turned dangerous criminals loose, endangering lives and spreading chaos in our communities,” said House Speaker Rep. Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, according to a press release. “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.”
The bill’s pretrial reforms are extensive. It creates a new category of “violent offenses” that require GPS monitoring, house arrest, or a secured bond for those accused. Judicial officials must now order mental health evaluations if a defendant is charged with a violent offense and has been involuntarily committed within the last three years, or if the official has reason to believe the defendant is a danger to themselves or others. If the evaluation determines that commitment is necessary, proceedings must be initiated, according to WBTV.
Supporters argue these changes will keep violent and repeat offenders off the streets and hold magistrates more accountable for their release decisions. “No family should have to endure what Iryna’s family has suffered,” said Rep. Tricia Cotham, R-Mecklenburg. “People across Mecklenburg County and North Carolina should never have to fear for their safety in their own neighborhoods. Iryna’s Law prevents violent offenders from walking free and ensures that those who threaten our community face real consequences before they can harm another soul.”
The bill also introduces new protocols for capital cases. It sets firmer timelines for death penalty appeals, requiring that any pending filings over 24 months old be scheduled for a hearing by December 2026, with hearings held by December 2027. Importantly, it adds committing a capital felony on public transportation to the list of aggravating factors that can make a defendant eligible for the death penalty. “This law is about restoring common sense and protecting innocent lives,” said Rep. Brian Echevarria, R-Cabarrus.
Perhaps the most contentious aspect of the legislation is its provision to restart executions in North Carolina, which have been on hold since 2006 due to legal and administrative challenges. Senate leader Phil Berger added language directing the state to select an alternative method of execution if lethal injection is unavailable. This could include a firing squad or electrocution, methods that have been used in other states. “For nearly two decades, judicial and administrative roadblocks have stopped true justice for victims, and it’s time for that to end,” Berger stated in a news release shared by ABC News.
Democrats and criminal justice advocates have voiced strong opposition to the bill’s death penalty provisions, arguing that they could lead to “barbaric” and risky punishments. Democratic Rep. Vernetta Alston, an attorney who previously represented death-row inmates, warned, “No matter what you think about the death penalty more generally, there’s just no question that these methods are risky and have the potential to be extremely gruesome.” Others, like Mecklenburg County Democratic Sen. Mujtaba Mohammed, criticized the measure for exploiting grief and failing to address the root causes of violent crime, such as mental health support and crime prevention. “Their name deserves dignity, not weaponization. It’s not about politics, it’s about respect,” Mohammed said.
Some Democrats also pointed out that the bill does not include funding for additional police officers, crisis responders, or housing for defendants with behavioral health issues. Rep. Marcia Morey of Durham, a former judge, argued, “Tough on crime doesn’t only mean let’s pay attention to punishment after the fact. We grieve the murder. It was senseless, it was horrible. But what you are voting on today does nothing to take it back or would have prevented it. Let’s get smart on crime.”
Despite these criticisms, the bill garnered bipartisan support in the House, with over one-third of House Democrats joining all Republicans to vote in favor. The strong margins suggest that a veto from Governor Stein could be overridden, though his final decision remains pending.
Beyond its immediate reforms, Iryna’s Law also directs the North Carolina Collaboratory to study the intersection of mental health and the justice system for both adults and juveniles. It calls for an evaluation of the availability of house arrest as a pretrial release condition and a review of alternative execution methods beyond those currently authorized in the state.
Meanwhile, Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles has announced increased security on commuter trains in response to the attack. Decarlos Brown’s next court hearing is scheduled for October 16, 2025, as the state continues to grapple with broader issues, including a Medicaid budget shortfall with no resolution expected before lawmakers return to Raleigh on October 20.
The passage of Iryna’s Law marks a turning point in North Carolina’s approach to criminal justice, with supporters championing it as a necessary safeguard and critics warning of its limitations and potential consequences. As the state awaits Governor Stein’s decision, the debate over how best to balance safety, justice, and compassion is far from over.
