An update on HB 307 and the future of public safety in North Carolina

The North Carolina Justice Center is deeply disappointed to share that House Bill 307 was signed into law this past week. This law was hastily pushed through the General Assembly in response to the recent tragic death of a Charlotte resident. HB 307 fails to provide meaningful solutions for violence prevention or overall community safety; it does not include second chance initiatives to reduce recidivism, address the roots causes of violence, or provide resources to resolve unmet mental health needs.  

Among other harmful impacts, HB 307 threatens to keep more people trapped in poverty by increasing barriers for pre-trial release, criminalizing people experiencing mental health crises, and taking steps to restart executions in North Carolina. 

“Our communities are safer and stronger when people’s needs meet. HB 307 represents a missed opportunity to enact policies that have been proven to promote true public safety,” says Laura Webb, Director of the NC Justice Center’s Fair Chance Criminal Justice Project. “Policies like HB 307 that focus on punishment over accountability are policies that fail to deliver the justice, healing, and safety our communities deserve.” 

We are deeply grateful to the lawmakers who voted against HB 307 and chose to stand for true public safety. The NC Justice Center remains committed to working alongside our community leaders, advocates, and lawmakers to pursue evidence-based policies that will strengthen communities.