RALEIGH, N.C. — A sweeping set of new North Carolina laws — including dramatic changes to pretrial release rules, new felony offenses, and updates to state criminal procedures — will officially take effect December 1, reshaping the state’s justice system heading into 2026.
At the center of this legislative shift is “Iryna’s Law,” a high-profile Republican-backed measure inspired by the death of Iryna Zarutska, a Ukrainian woman killed on a Charlotte city bus, a case that drew national attention and pressure from federal leaders. State lawmakers fast-tracked the bill earlier this year, framing it as a direct response to what they called failures in how the state handles violent offenders before trial.
House Speaker Destin Hall (R-Caldwell) has described the law as a “first step to ensure what happened to her never happens again.”
Governor Josh Stein, who signed the bill in October, offered mixed praise — supporting the tighter pretrial release rules, while calling the death penalty provisions “barbaric” and urging lawmakers to invest more heavily in mental health resources.
Stricter Pretrial Release Rules & New Oversight of Magistrates
Under “Iryna’s Law,” people charged with violent offenses will now face significantly tougher release conditions. Instead of being able to secure quick release through a magistrate, defendants accused of certain crimes must receive:
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A secured bond, or
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GPS-monitored house arrest
The law is designed to eliminate low-level release options for repeat or high-risk offenders and shifts greater responsibility onto the judiciary. Court magistrates, who often oversee the earliest release decisions, are now subject to suspension by Chief Justice Paul Newby if they fail to follow the law’s requirements — a level of oversight not previously in place.
Death Penalty Process Tightened — New Methods Could Be Required
“Iryna’s Law” also aims to streamline parts of North Carolina’s long-stalled death penalty process. Lethal injection remains the state’s default method, but executions have been paused for nearly 20 years due to ongoing legal battles and regulatory challenges.
Under the new statute:
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If lethal injection is ever ruled unconstitutional,
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North Carolina must adopt a new method — potentially including the electric chair or firing squad.
‘Public Safety Act of 2025’: New Felonies & Tougher Penalties for Drugs and Repeat Offenders
Also taking effect December 1 is the Public Safety Act of 2025, a wide-ranging criminal justice package that alters several parts of state law — from drug offenses to domestic violence protections and firearm release rules.
Key changes include:
New Felony Crimes
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Exposing a child under 16 to controlled substances
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A new “habitual domestic violence” felony for people with repeated DV convictions
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Online solicitation of minors now upgraded to more severe felony levels
Stronger Drug Penalties
Penalties increase for possession, trafficking, and sale of:
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Fentanyl
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Carfentanil
Firearms Release Changes
Sheriffs may now release surrendered firearms back to defendants without a court order — if a background check shows they are legally eligible.
Tightened Post-Conviction Deadlines
Defendants must file motions for relief within seven years of a qualifying event related to their conviction.
Out-of-State Protective Orders
People who live in another state can now pursue North Carolina protective orders if the abuse occurred within NC.
More North Carolina Laws Taking Effect Dec. 1
The December legal rollout includes dozens of additional changes. Some of the most notable:
New Criminal Penalties & Enhancements
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Illegal sale/possession of embalming fluid
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Larceny of gift cards
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Higher penalties for mail theft
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Longer sentences for assaulting utility or communications workers
Online Sexual Exploitation Protections
Websites hosting content must adopt procedures to remove pornographic images upon request. The Attorney General can pursue violators — including users and site operators.
The law also requires the state registrar to keep earlier versions of birth certificates when individuals request sex-marker changes.
A controversial section defining “male,” “female,” and “biological sex” will take effect Jan. 1, following a veto override of Gov. Stein.
Expanded Auditor Powers
State Auditor Beth Wood’s office can now investigate any entity receiving state or federal funds. Gov. Stein vetoed the measure, but lawmakers overrode it.
Disaster Recovery Non-Discrimination
Discriminating based on political affiliation during disaster recovery assistance is now a felony — legislation sparked by a reported incident involving a FEMA supervisor after Hurricane Milton.
Faster Squatter Removal
Property owners can now initiate an expedited process for removing squatters.
Changes to Tinted Window Rules
Window tint is no longer part of the state’s safety inspection checklist. Drivers must simply roll down their windows when stopped by law enforcement.
Nonprofit Donor Privacy
Government agencies are now barred from collecting or releasing unnecessary information about nonprofit organizations’ members, volunteers, or donors. This measure also passed after a veto override.
