Criminal Justice

signed · North Carolina · Senate Jul 9, 2025

SB 429: 2025 Public Safety Act.

SB 429 creates new criminal offenses for knowingly exposing children under 16 to controlled substances (like drugs or opioids), with penalties ranging from a Class H felony (exposure alone) to a Class B1 felony (if exposure causes death). It also revises rules for sharing autopsy records: medical examiners must provide finalized toxicology and autopsy reports to prosecutors during criminal investigations, but public disclosure is restricted to specific recipients like family members or estate representatives. The law applies to offenses occurring on or after December 1, 2025, and excludes cases where a medical professional administers prescribed medication to a child. This bill directly affects caregivers, medical examiners, and prosecutors handling child exposure cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offenses for drug exposure to minors with enhanced penalties (Class B1 felony for causing death), expanding criminalization and increasing sentencing severity, opposing reform efforts.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · North Carolina · House Jul 2, 2025

HB 620: Administrative Office of the Courts Agency Requests.

HB 620 adds High Point University School of Law to the list of educational institutions receiving five free copies of appellate court reports annually. It establishes a new program within the Administrative Office of the Courts to oversee local accountability and recovery courts, requiring annual reports on their operation and effectiveness. The bill also prohibits modifying court forms without clear notation of changes and removes public notice requirements for name changes when applicants are in address confidentiality programs or victims of domestic violence, sexual offense, or stalking, keeping related records private. These changes directly affect courts, law schools, attorneys, and individuals seeking name changes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes program for recovery courts (addressing substance abuse) with annual effectiveness reports, directly supporting criminal justice reform through rehabilitation oversight.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

passed · North Carolina · House May 8, 2025

HB 781: Unauthorized Public Camping and Sleeping.

HB 781 bans unauthorized public camping or sleeping on public property across North Carolina, directly affecting individuals experiencing homelessness and local governments. It prohibits counties and municipalities from allowing such activities, but permits them to designate specific public property for temporary camping for up to one year. These designated sites must meet standards for safety, sanitation (including restrooms and water), and access to behavioral health services, and prohibit illegal substance use. Such designations require certification from the Department of Health and Human Services, which assesses factors like shelter bed availability and proximity to residential areas. Residents or businesses can take legal action against local governments that fail to enforce the ban.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCriminalizes homelessness through trespassing penalties, expanding criminalization of poverty-related behavior without addressing root causes.95% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBans unauthorized public camping/sleeping, restricting housing access for homeless individuals and limiting local government options to address homelessness, contradicting housing support indicators.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · North Carolina · House May 7, 2025

HB 681: Update Opioid Abatement Treatment Program Rules.

HB 681 directs the Commission for Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Use Services to update state rules for outpatient opioid treatment programs (OTPs). The bill aims to align these rules more closely with federal regulations governing medications for opioid use disorder, affecting patients receiving treatment and the OTPs providing care. Key changes include removing home environment stability as a criterion for take-home medication and prohibiting administrative discharge due to continued substance use or missed doses. It also reduces the frequency of required drug tests, removes observed testing, and allows OTPs to administer methadone to non-enrolled patients. The Commission must engage with clients and providers for input and publish the proposed amended rules by July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves barriers to opioid treatment (home environment stability), aligning with federal standards to improve access and reduce recidivism through rehabilitation, supporting criminal justice reform.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves home stability barrier for take-home meds and prohibits administrative discharge, improving patient access to opioid treatment under federal-aligned rules.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · North Carolina · House May 5, 2025

HB 483: Juvenile Justice Legislative Proposals.

HB 483 proposes several changes to juvenile justice procedures. The bill extends the maximum terms of probation and post-release supervision for youth adjudicated of certain violent offenses (Class A, B1, or B2 felonies) to up to three years. It clarifies a victim's right to be notified and heard regarding the termination of a juvenile's probation or post-release supervision. Additionally, the bill modifies criteria for secure custody, allowing a superior court judge to issue such an order after a case is moved to juvenile court and authorizing it for juveniles who violate domestic violence protective orders.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExtends probation terms for violent juvenile offenses, increasing supervision duration and punitive sentencing measures per bill's explicit language.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · North Carolina · House May 5, 2025

HB 908: Modify Civil Commitment Hearing Procedures.

This bill modifies North Carolina's civil commitment hearing procedures by giving judges discretion to dismiss criminal charges when a defendant lacks the capacity to proceed. Currently, judges are required to dismiss charges under certain conditions, but this change would allow them to decide whether dismissal is appropriate in each case. The law applies to offenses committed on or after the bill becomes effective. It affects criminal defendants who have mental health or cognitive issues that prevent them from participating in their own defense.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill grants judges discretion to dismiss charges for defendants lacking capacity, aligning with criminal justice reform by protecting civil rights and reducing unnecessary prosecutions of vulnerable individuals.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · North Carolina · House May 5, 2025

HB 789: Mitigating Factor/Pretrial Use of Ignition Interlock Device.

HB 789 creates a new mitigating factor for individuals charged with impaired driving offenses in North Carolina. This factor applies if the defendant voluntarily equips their vehicle with an approved ignition interlock system within 45 days of being charged and uses it for at least six months prior to trial, without violations. The bill aims to incentivize early intervention and responsible behavior by offering a potential reduction in sentencing for eligible defendants who meet specific criteria. It also allows individuals who voluntarily install the system and meet certain requirements to apply for a waiver of a portion of the costs if they cannot afford it.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates sentencing mitigation for DWI offenders who voluntarily use ignition interlocks, incentivizing responsible behavior and reducing recidivism per criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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passed · North Carolina · House May 1, 2025

HB 261: Sentence Enhancement/Immigration-Related Crimes.

HB 261 establishes new sentence enhancements for individuals convicted of certain crimes. It increases the severity of a felony sentence (excluding Class A) if the person was unlawfully in the United States and had prior immigration issues, raising the felony by one or two classes. The bill also enhances sentences for felonies (excluding Class A) and misdemeanors committed while conspiring with others to benefit or promote criminal activity. For these offenses, the sentence is increased by one class, or a Class A1 misdemeanor becomes a Class I felony. These enhancements apply if the specific conditions are proven beyond a reasonable doubt during trial.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases felony sentences for immigration-related crimes and conspiracy offenses, expanding punitive measures rather than promoting reform.95% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill increases felony sentences for individuals unlawfully in US with prior immigration issues, directly restricting immigrant protections through enhanced criminal penalties.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · North Carolina · House May 1, 2025

HB 575: The Hunter Robinson Act.

HB 575, known as "The Hunter Robinson Act," revises North Carolina's laws governing post-release supervision for criminal offenders. The bill modifies how the "maximum imposed term" is calculated for prisoners serving consecutive sentences by adjusting the months deducted based on felony class. It also changes when prisoners become eligible for post-release supervision and extends the required length of the supervision period for most felony categories. These changes generally result in longer post-release supervision terms for affected offenders. The act applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExtends post-release supervision periods and modifies sentencing calculations to lengthen supervision, increasing restrictions on offenders.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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passed · North Carolina · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 771: Criminal Law Procedures.

House Bill 771 modifies criminal law procedures by expanding the ability to preserve witness testimony through depositions. It authorizes the State to take depositions from material witnesses in criminal cases under specific conditions, such as when a witness is in danger, elderly, or unlikely to be available for trial. Defendants already have the right to depose witnesses who are infirm, incapacitated, or non-residents. The bill outlines procedures for these depositions, ensuring defendants receive notice, have the right to be present, and can have legal counsel.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands State's ability to preserve witness testimony under specific conditions, enhancing procedural fairness in criminal cases without restricting defendant rights.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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