Criminal Justice

failed · North Carolina · House Aug 6, 2026

HB 308: 2026 Criminal Law Changes.

HB 308 reclassifies strangulation as a Class H felony (up from Class G) and clarifies "serious bodily injury" to include permanent disfigurement or prolonged hospitalization. It clarifies that certain domestic violence misdemeanors cannot be treated as lesser offenses under related statutes and creates a new "habitual misdemeanor assault" offense for repeat offenders involving domestic violence. The bill prohibits expunging criminal records for individuals with pending charges and requires judges to review criminal history when setting pretrial release conditions in domestic violence cases. Judges must also impose specific conditions like staying away from victims' homes or abstaining from alcohol for those charged under domestic violence laws.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeReclassifies strangulation as higher felony, prohibits expungement for pending charges, creates habitual offender provision - increases penalties and restricts defendant rights.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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vetoed · North Carolina · House Jul 27, 2026

HB 437: Drug-Free Zones/Unauthorized Public Camping.

HB 437 establishes "Drug-Free Homeless Service Zones" within 300 feet of facilities that provide homeless services (like shelters or transitional housing) using public funds. It increases penalties for drug offenses committed in these zones: individuals 21+ face Class E felony charges, while facility operators allowing such offenses face Class 1 misdemeanor charges. Facilities must display visible signs identifying the zone, and the law applies to offenses committed on or after December 1, 2025. The bill directly affects homeless service providers, their operators, and individuals committing drug offenses in designated zones.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for drug offenses in homeless zones (Class E felony), expanding criminalization and opposing reform by prioritizing punishment over support services.95% confidence ✗ HousingOpposes HousingBill imposes stricter penalties near homeless services, potentially deterring housing facility development and limiting access to homeless services, opposing housing advancement.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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signed · North Carolina · House Jul 2, 2026

HB 83: Revise Laws on Minors/Human Trafficking.

HB 83 increases criminal penalties for adults who share inappropriate content with minors under 13 (Class G felony) or under 16 (Class H felony), and creates a new felony for habitual indecent exposure near minors (two prior convictions). It requires courts to consider sex offender registration for these offenses and prohibits transportation companies (like ride-share services) from serving unemancipated minors without parental consent. The bill directly affects adults sharing content with minors, individuals exposing themselves to minors, and transportation companies serving minors. It focuses on concrete policy changes to strengthen protections for minors through stricter penalties and registration requirements.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for minor-related offenses (Class G/H felonies) and expands criminalization, directly opposing reform goals by strengthening punitive measures.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

passed both · North Carolina · House Jun 25, 2026

HB 34: Strengthen Medicaid Provider Controls.

HB 34 creates a new criminal offense for stealing or misusing someone else's mail, directly affecting individuals who unlawfully take, control, or transfer mail intended for others. The bill defines "mail" broadly to include letters, packages, or valuable items sent to another person and prohibits two specific actions: stealing mail to deprive the owner, or transferring mail to benefit someone not entitled to it. Punishments range from a Class A1 misdemeanor for first-time, low-value thefts (under $200) to a Class D felony for repeat offenses or high-value thefts (over $2,000). This law, effective December 1, 2025, applies to offenses committed after that date.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense for mail theft, expanding criminalization which aligns with 'oppose' indicators per bill's explicit focus on theft penalties.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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signed · North Carolina · House Oct 3, 2025

HB 307: Iryna's Law.

HB 307, "Iryna's Law," modifies North Carolina's pretrial release rules for defendants charged with specific violent offenses, including murder, rape, and certain sexual offenses against children. It requires police to inform judicial officials about defendant behavior observed during arrest that suggests danger to self/others, and restricts pretrial release for those charged with the listed violent crimes. The bill also extends probation terms for youth convicted of violent offenses, mandates victim notification when probation ends, and appropriates funds for additional legal staff in Judicial District 26. These changes directly affect defendants facing violent crime charges, victims, and court resources in the specified district.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts pretrial release for violent offenses and extends probation terms, increasing custody duration and limiting defendant rights.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

passed both · North Carolina · House Sep 22, 2025

HB 42: Back the Blue Pay Act.

This bill revises North Carolina's burglary and breaking-and-entering laws to increase penalties when a firearm or deadly weapon is used. It raises the felony classification by one level for offenses like burglary (first/second degree), breaking out of a dwelling at night, or entering a building with intent to commit a felony or terrorize occupants, if a weapon was present during the crime. The law directly affects individuals convicted of these specific offenses when a firearm was involved, not the general public. It does not change sentencing for weapon-free offenses or address police pay, despite the title "Back the Blue Pay Act" suggesting otherwise. The changes take effect December 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for weapon-assisted burglaries by raising felony classifications - directly expanding criminalization and mandatory sentencing per bill summary.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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signed · North Carolina · House Jul 29, 2025

HB 318: The Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act.

HB 318 requires North Carolina county jails and detention facilities to check the immigration status of individuals charged with specific offenses (including certain felonies, misdemeanors, and impaired driving) and to notify U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) if a detainer is issued. If ICE issues a detainer, facilities must hold the person for up to 48 hours (or until ICE takes custody) and notify ICE 2 hours before the person would otherwise be released. For pretrial defendants facing similar charges, the bill mandates a two-hour hold to allow ICE to issue a detainer; if none is received, the defendant must be released. The law also shields state officials from liability when following these procedures.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRequires local jails to hold individuals for ICE detainers, reducing defendant rights and expanding immigration enforcement within criminal justice system85% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationMandates local jails to verify immigration status and hold individuals for ICE detainers, increasing state cooperation with federal enforcement per bill's requirements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

passed · North Carolina · Senate Apr 15, 2025

SB 220: Protect Private Property Rights.-AB

This bill amends North Carolina law to strengthen property rights for landowners regarding recreational activities. It requires written permission (signed, dated within 12 months, and carried on person) for hunting, fishing, or trapping on private land, with fines of $500 for first offenses on posted property and $1,000 for repeat violations. Landowners can also prohibit pine straw harvesting without written consent, creating a Class 1 misdemeanor for unauthorized removal. Repeat trespass offenses trigger license suspensions for hunting/fishing, and new rules ban launching watercraft from public roadways into waterways. The law directly affects hunters, fishers, landowners, and pine straw harvesters.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new Class 1 misdemeanor for pine straw harvesting and increases trespassing penalties, expanding criminalization of property-related activities.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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