North Carolina House Bill 307, named “Iryna’s Law” for Iryna Zarutska, is headed to Gov. Josh Stein’s desk after passing through the state House.
Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee, was fatally stabbed on a Charlotte light-rail train in late August 2025. The incident received national attention, sparking outrage and discussion around criminal proceedings in the U.S.
The bill passed through the North Carolina Senate on Sept. 22 at 7:14 p.m. with a 28-8 vote, and through the House on Sept. 23 at 4:22 p.m. with an 81-31 vote. Here’s what you need to know as the bill heads to Stein’s desk.
What is ‘Iryna’s Law,’ House Bill 307?
HB 307 contains a number of provisions around criminal justice, including changes to death penalty proceedings, procedures for defendants with previous criminal histories and more. Some of the provisions of Iryna’s Law include:
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Stricter guidelines for defendants with previous violent offenses and/or extensive criminal histories
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New procedures for defendants with suspected mental health issues to be evaluated for involuntary commitment
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Eliminating cashless bail, the condition to release a defendant on a written promise to appear
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Changes to death penalty proceedings so that all appeals and post-conviction motions must be decided within two years, and all related proceedings must take place in the county where the person was convicted
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What happened to Iryna Zarutska?
Zarutska was stabbed three times from behind with a pocketknife while riding on the Charlotte Area Transit System light rail train, according to federal prosecutors. Zarutska, who authorities said was on her way home from a shift at a pizza shop, was pronounced dead at the scene.
USA TODAY reported that Zarutska, who moved to the U.S. three years ago after fleeing war in Ukraine where she had lived in a bomb shelter, worked several jobs during her time in Charlotte including at a pizzeria and senior care facility. In her obituary, her family said she dreamed of one day becoming a veterinary assistant.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt speaks on a fatal stabbing of a Ukrainian woman Iryna Zarutska aboard a North Carolina train during a press briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., Sept. 9, 2025.
Has someone been charged in the death of Iryna Zarutska?
Decarlos Brown, 34, faces a charge of committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system in connection with the stabbing that killed Zarutska on Aug. 22, inside a light rail car. He was arrested by responding officers on the light rail platform and subsequently charged.
Brown faces a previously filed state charge of first-degree murder in connection with what authorities say was an unprovoked attack, and has a long criminal history, including several years spent in prison for armed robbery.
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy said local leaders failed Zarutska by “failing to properly punish” Brown and announced the Department of Transportation would investigate the city.
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: What is ‘Iryna’s Law’? HB 307 heads to NC Gov. Josh Stein’s desk
