The North Carolina House has passed “Iryna’s Law,” a measure targeting the elimination of cashless bail for violent offenders, following the fatal stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte. The legislation, named after the 23-year-old victim, aims to restrict judicial discretion in pretrial release decisions and establish guidelines for involuntary commitment of offenders.

The bill, which received overwhelming support with an 82-30 vote in the House, now moves to Gov. Roy Cooper’s desk after passing the Senate. It seeks to address concerns over public safety by imposing stricter conditions for pretrial release and reviving the death penalty in North Carolina. The legislation was amended to include the name “Iryna’s Law” following Zarutska’s Aug. 22 killing, which drew national attention to transit safety in Charlotte.

Key provisions of the bill include barring cashless bail for certain violent crimes and requiring defendants to meet strict criteria for release. Additionally, the law would revive capital punishment by mandating courts to review death penalty appeals by 2027. A Senate amendment, proposed by leader Phil Berger, directs the state Adult Correction Department to identify alternative execution methods if lethal injection becomes unavailable, potentially including firing squads or electrocution.

Lawmakers argue the measure restores confidence in the justice system, citing the need to hold violent offenders accountable. Rep. Destin Hall, the Republican House speaker, criticized local governments for losing control over public safety. The bill’s fate hinges on Cooper’s approval, as it faces uncertainty amid ongoing legal challenges to North Carolina’s execution protocols.