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The violent murder of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska shocked the nation. In response to the public transit violence, North Carolina lawmakers passed Iryna’s Law, and the legislation is expected to be sent to Democratic Gov. Josh Stein.
According to the Associated Press, North Carolina House members passed Iryna’s Law 81-31. This fast-tracked bill passed the state Senate on Monday and includes provisions to limit bail, increase sentences for mental health evaluations and brought the capital punishment debate back into the conversation, but was not included in the final bill.
House Bill 307 also adds aggravated sentencing if the victim of a crime was harmed while using public transportation and updates the rules to suspend and remove magistrates.
RSBN previously reported that the suspect in Zarutska’s stabbing murder had been arrested 14 times prior to this latest act.
On Monday, North Carolina House Rep. John Bell posted about the need for Iryna’s Law, noting, “NC deserves safe communities. NOT reckless pro-criminal policies.”
Despite uncertainty over whether Democratic North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein will sign the bill into law, he committed to “protecting the people of North Carolina.”
Every North Carolinian deserves to feel safe, no matter what. We can and we must work together across the aisle to make progress to protect our communities. pic.twitter.com/sUKp45HOZe
— Governor Josh Stein (@NC_Governor) September 18, 2025
In a public statement addressing Zarutska’s murder on Sept. 18, he noted that law enforcement on public transit had been increased. He also wrote, “Every North Carolinian deserves to feel safe, no matter what. We can and we must work together across the aisle to make progress to protect our communities.”