A new bill filed by State Rep. Stevens in the North Carolina House seeks to improve witness testimony processes and strengthen rights for sexual assault victims, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 771 on April 3 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Criminal Law Procedures.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill authorizes the use of depositions in criminal proceedings to preserve the testimony of witnesses who may be unable to attend trial due to factors such as illness or imminent departure from the state. For victim support, it establishes additional rights for victims of sexual assault, including the right to information about the status of their evidence kits and to have a support person during court proceedings. It mandates the Attorney General to publish a list of these rights by Dec. 1, 2025. The bill also revises the structure and meetings protocol of the state’s Conference of District Attorneys, impacting officer elections and meeting schedules, effective July 1, 2025. Overall, the bill aims to enhance witness testimony processes, support sexual assault victims, and refine prosecutorial governance.
Stevens proposed another 24 bills during the 2025 regular session.
Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
Stevens graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in 1981 with a BS and again in 1986 from Campbell University Norman Adrian Wiggins School of Law with a JD.
Stevens, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2009 to represent the state’s 90th House district, replacing previous state representative Jim Harrell.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarah Stevens | HB 771 | 04/03/2025 | Criminal Law Procedures. |
| Sarah Stevens | HB 770 | 04/03/2025 | Est. Procedure/Complex Family Financial Cases. |
| Sarah Stevens, Blair Eddins, Heather H. Rhyne, and Jennifer Balkcom | HB 791 | 04/03/2025 | Women’s Safety and Protection Act. |
| Sarah Stevens, Brian Biggs, Jennifer Balkcom, and Neal Jackson | HB 690 | 04/02/2025 | The Citizens Support Act. |
| Sarah Stevens | HB 640 | 04/01/2025 | Public Assistance Verification Enhancements. |
| Sarah Stevens | HB 648 | 04/01/2025 | Disposition Placement/Findings of Fact. |
| Sarah Stevens, Carla D. Cunningham, Edward C. Goodwin, and Howard Penny, Jr. | HB 600 | 03/31/2025 | Recognition of the Tuscarora. |
| Sarah Stevens | HB 620 | 03/31/2025 | AOC Agency Requests.-AB |
| Sarah Stevens, Brian Biggs, Kyle Hall, and Neal Jackson | HB 557 | 03/27/2025 | The Andy Griffith Show as State TV Show. |
| Sarah Stevens, Brian Biggs, Jennifer Balkcom, and Neal Jackson | HB 535 | 03/26/2025 | Title Fraud Prevention Act. |
| Sarah Stevens and Dudley Greene | HB 537 | 03/26/2025 | Alena’s Law. |
| Sarah Stevens, Brian Biggs, Jennifer Balkcom, and Kyle Hall | HB 478 | 03/20/2025 | Modify Appointment Process for DA Vacancies. |
| Sarah Stevens, Brian Biggs, Laura Budd, and Ya Liu | HB 431 | 03/18/2025 | Preventing Deed Fraud. |
| Sarah Stevens, Cody Huneycutt, Hugh Blackwell, and Kyle Hall | HB 443 | 03/18/2025 | Const. Amendment: Council of State Vacancies. |
| Sarah Stevens, A. Reece Pyrtle, Jr., Charles W. Miller, and Jennifer Balkcom | HB 449 | 03/18/2025 | Crimes Against Minors/Revise Law. |
| Sarah Stevens and Tricia Ann Cotham | HB 426 | 03/17/2025 | Workforce Diploma Program. |
| Sarah Stevens | HB 388 | 03/12/2025 | Amend Business Corporations Act. |
| Sarah Stevens | HB 377 | 03/11/2025 | Changes to Estates and Trusts Statutes. |
| Sarah Stevens | HB 334 | 03/06/2025 | GSC Unif. Community Prop. Disp. at Death Act. |
| Sarah Stevens | HB 307 | 03/05/2025 | Various Criminal Law Revisions. |
| Sarah Stevens | HB 308 | 03/05/2025 | Criminal Law Changes. |
| Sarah Stevens | HB 237 | 02/26/2025 | Child Welfare. |
| Sarah Stevens, Hugh Blackwell, Kyle Hall, and Mike Schietzelt | HB 182 | 02/24/2025 | Rev. Law Perm. Protect Order/Child Abuse. |
| Sarah Stevens and Keith Kidwell | HB 188 | 02/24/2025 | Automatic Renewal of Contracts. |
| Sarah Stevens, Carson Smith, Grant L. Campbell, MD, and Jennifer Balkcom | HB 164 | 02/21/2025 | Parental Consent to Release Child Autopsies. |
