RALEIGH — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein signed Iryna’s Law on Friday, the final day for action on the measure. Stein made the announcement in a video message posted to his official YouTube channel and linked in a press release on the governor’s website.
In his message, Stein said he signed the bill because it “alerts the judiciary to take a special look at people who may pose unusual risks of violence before determining their bail.”
The governor also criticized the measure for not prioritizing a person’s ability to post bail and for reinstatement of the death penalty, which could use firing squads.
“The law fails, however, to focus appropriately on the threat that people pose instead of their ability to post bail,” Stein said. “And most alarming, the General Assembly sprung a last-minute amendment that aims to bring about execution by firing squad to North Carolina. It’s barbaric. There will be no firing squads in North Carolina during my time as governor.”
He also said he is “troubled by its lack of ambition or vision,” and that the law “simply does not do enough to keep you safe” before calling for the legislature to come back and “pass my comprehensive public safety package.”
The governor also appeared to call for measures like Red Flag laws, saying, “We can respect people’s Second Amendment rights while also ensuring that anyone who is violent or dangerously mentally ill does not have access to guns.”
Stein called for more mental health programs and said lawmakers “must fully fund Medicaid” when they return to session this month.
Iryna’s Law ends cashless bail for certain defendants, creates a “violent offense” category requiring a secured bond or GPS-monitored house arrest for offenders of those crimes, and scales back the discretion of magistrates and judges to release a person on a promissory note to reappear in court.
The bill is named after Iryna Zarutska, the woman who died after being stabbed on Charlotte’s light rail system in August. Her alleged attacker, DeCarlos Brown Jr., has an extensive arrest record that includes prison time. Brown faces a murder charge in Mecklenburg County as well as a federal charge, and he could receive either life in prison or the death penalty if convicted.
Additionally, Iryna’s Law requires judicial officers to order a mental health evaluation for individuals charged with a violent crime who have been involuntarily committed within a three-year period or if a current mental health crisis may be present.
House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Granite Falls) applauded the signing, stating in a post on X, “Iryna’s Law has been signed and is now a reality in NC.”
“This is critical legislation that makes our state safer by ending cashless bail and getting career criminals off the street,” wrote Hall. “We will never forget Iryna Zarutska and this is the right first step to ensure what happens to her never happens again.”
Rep. Tricia Cotham (R-Mecklenburg), who championed the bill on the House floor, said in a press release that she was “thrilled” the bill was now law.
“Finally, we are getting dangerous criminals off our streets so we can make sure no one else suffers the heartbreak that Iryna Zarutska’s family endured,” said Cotham. “I’m especially proud that, through our efforts, this law provides additional prosecutors for Mecklenburg County, giving our local law enforcement the tools they need to fight violent crime. I thank my colleagues.”
Iryna’s Law was presented to Stein on Sept. 23, and he waited the 10 days allowed under statute to sign the bill. His video message did not explain why he waited until the last day available to sign the measure. The legislation would have become law without Stein’s signature after the 10th day.
In a Sept. 24 CNN interview, the governor claimed twice he was “reviewing” Iryna’s Law.
“This is a 21-page bill sent to @nc_governor three days ago. He’s a lawyer with a team of lawyers on staff,” wrote Hall the day after Stein’s CNN interview. “This is not hard. Sign the damn bill.”
Earlier in the day before Stein signed the bill, Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Eden) questioned what was taking so long.
“Gov. Stein has HOURS left to do the right thing and sign Iryna’s Law. What’s taking him so long” Berger said in an X post. “He should have signed it as soon as it hit his desk.”
U.S Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-Hickory) reacted to the signing on X, writing that Stein “dragged his feet for nine days, but Iryna’s Law is finally signed.”
NCGOP Chairman Jason Simmons was also critical of Stein taking so long to act on the bill.
“Governor Stein’s reluctance to take action on Iryna’s Law shows he cannot be trusted to do the right thing for North Carolina families,” said Simmons. “As a leader, decisive action was needed. Republican legislators acted immediately while Governor Stein chose to belatedly act on a Friday afternoon.”
