North Carolina H722: Enact Criminal Justice Debt Reform.

What the bill says

An act to promote criminal justice debt reform.

From the introduced text:

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT TO PROMOTE CRIMINAL JUSTICE DEBT REFORM. The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts: PART I. MODIFY ASSESSMENT REQUIREMENTS AND REPORTING SURROUNDING COURT COSTS AND FEES SECTION 1.(a) G.S. 7A-304 reads as rewritten: "§ 7A-304. Costs in criminal actions. (a) In every criminal case in the superior or district court, wherein the defendant is convicted, or enters a plea of guilty or nolo contendere, or when costs are assessed against the prosecuting witness, the court shall determine the defendant's ability to pay any costs assessed and shall then, weighing that determination, assess and collect the following costs shall be assessed and collected. costs. No costs may be assessed when a case is dismissed. Only upon entry of a written order, supported by findings of fact and conclusions of law, determining that there is just cause, the court may (i) waive costs assessed under this section or (ii) waive or reduce costs assessed under subdivision (7), (8), (8a), (11), (12), or (13) of this section. No court may waive or remit all or part of any court fines or costs without providing notice and opportunity to be heard by all government entities directly affected. The court shall provide notice to the government entities directly affected of (i) the date and time of the hearing and …

Read the full official text

Sponsors

• Alston, Vernetta (D, 29) · primary sponsor
• Buansi, Allen (D, 56) · primary sponsor
• Brockman, Cecil (D, 60) · primary sponsor
• Smith, Charles (D, 44) · primary sponsor
• Baker, Amber M. (D, 72)
• Butler, Deb (D, 18)
• Cervania, Maria (D, 41)
• Greenfield, Julia (D, 100)
• Harrison, Pricey (D, 61)
• Hawkins, Zack (D, 31)
• Johnson-Hostler, Monika (D, 33)
• Majeed, Nasif (I, 99)

Latest actions

1. April 3, 2025: Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House
2. April 3, 2025: Passed 1st Reading
3. April 2, 2025: Filed

Common questions

What is H722?

H722 is a bill in the North Carolina Legislature (2025-2026 Session): Enact Criminal Justice Debt Reform.

What does H722 do?

In its own words: An act to promote criminal justice debt reform.

What is the status of H722?

In committee as of April 3, 2025. Latest action: Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House (April 3, 2025).

Who sponsored H722?

Alston, Vernetta (D, 29), with 11 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for H722?

On the North Carolina Legislature website: https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H722