NCJC calls on Gov. Stein to veto recent crime bill and take action on policy priorities that protect safety and well-being

The NC Justice Center calls on Governor Stein to veto recent crime bill and take action on policy priorities that protect safety and well-being

(Raleigh, NC—September 25, 2025) At a time when lawmakers refuse to come together to protect Medicaid provider rates or secure funding for a sound, basic education for every child, they have united to pass HB 307—a regressive bill that dismantles hard-fought protections for justice and civil rights.  

The NC Justice Center urges Governor Josh Stein to veto HB 307—a bill that is policy violence disguised as public safety. This bill is political theater, seeking to advance a cynical agenda that exploits the heartbreaking murder of Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte. It neither addresses the root causes of harm, nor does it make communities safer. 

“We expect those who represent the people of NC to act in rational ways and provide proven solutions to address the root causes of crime—rather than knee jerk reactions that cause harm to our communities,” said Quisha Mallette, an attorney with Fair Chance Project at the NC Justice Center. 

HB 307: 

  • Promotes the use of methods of execution that are proven to be torturous and flawed. 
  • Creates more barriers to opportunity for people with mental illness, preventing expunction for dismissed charges based on a person’s lack of capacity to proceed. 
  • Eliminates cashless bail for certain offenses and establishes a new category of offenses which restricts pre-trial release, keeping more people trapped in poverty. 

We cannot have safe communities while increasing carceral punishment that disproportionately impacts marginalized people. We build safe communities with fully funded health care programs, substance use disorder treatment, and fully funded schools that give new generations the opportunities and resources they deserve.  

“Our lawmakers are failing to work together on urgent priorities, like passing a budget that invests in people, healthcare, and education,” said Nicole Dozier, the NC Justice Center’s Director of the Health Advocacy Project. “Instead, they united to pass a bill that rolls back years of bipartisan criminal justice reform efforts that will only cause further harm to marginalized communities.” 

We are standing in coalition to call on Governor Josh Stein to veto HB 307. North Carolina needs leaders who support proven solutions to reducing violence and strengthening communities. We need to reject a fear-based agenda that dismantles the rights of people involved in the justice system.

Contact: Timothy Young-Jackson, Communications Specialist, Fair Chance Criminal Justice Project, timothy@ncjustice.org  

 

Take action with us and tell Governor Josh Stein to Veto HB307

Call Gov Stein’s Office at (919)-814-2000 and press #5
Script:
“Hello, my name is ______ and I live in [City], North Carolina.
I am calling to urge Governor Stein to please veto House Bill 307.

HB 307 does nothing to make our communities safer. It expands executions and criminalizes mental illness without actually addressing the root causes of crime. Please veto HB 307 and support proven solutions like health care, mental health treatment, housing, and education that truly keep communities safe. Thank you.