Erin Paré, representative of the 37th House district, has urged Governor Josh Stein to sign Iryna’s Law. The legislation was proposed following the fatal stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska and is considered critical for restoring public safety in the state. Paré made this statement on X.
“This is embarrassingly weak,” said Paré. “Just sign the bill and help restore public safety and protect the people of NC.”
According to Carolina Journal, “Iryna’s Law” passed the North Carolina House by a vote of 81–31 and cleared the Senate by 28–8, indicating broad bipartisan support. The bill was drafted in response to concerns about violent offenders being released under lenient bail conditions and subsequent public safety risks. By advancing through both chambers with strong margins, the General Assembly has positioned the legislation as a key piece of North Carolina’s criminal justice reforms in 2025.
As reported by The Center Square, the bill was delivered to Governor Josh Stein’s desk on September 23, 2025. Under North Carolina law, he has until October 3 to sign or veto it. If no action is taken by this deadline, the legislation will automatically become law without his signature—a constitutional mechanism designed to prevent indefinite stalling. At the time of reporting, Stein had not indicated whether he would approve or veto the measure.
Carolina Journal also reports that the legislation authorizes prosecutors to seek the death penalty in certain cases similar to Zarutska’s killing. This reflects lawmakers’ intent to pursue harsher penalties for particularly egregious crimes involving repeat or violent offenders. By expanding prosecutorial discretion in capital cases, the bill ties into broader debates on punishment severity and deterrence within North Carolina’s justice system.
The Center Square notes that Iryna’s Law was prompted by Zarutska’s murder on Charlotte’s light rail system on August 22, 2025. Police arrested Decarlos Brown Jr., charging him with first-degree murder at the state level while federal authorities charged him with committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system. Reports highlighted that Brown had been arrested 15 times over a span of 15 years, fueling public outrage and demands for bail reform in North Carolina.
Paré is a Republican member of the North Carolina House representing District 37 (Wake County) and is serving her third term. She is a small business owner and active in legislative committees and caucuses. Her experience and legislative role make her a relevant actor in debates over justice reform measures like Iryna’s Law.
