Bradley introduces bill to boost funding for victims’ assistance programs in North Carolina Senate

A bill introduced by state Sen. Woodson Bradley is designed to enhance services for crime victims in North Carolina by allocating specific funds to victim assistance programs, according to the North Carolina State Senate.

The legislation, filed as SB 794 on April 21 during the 2025 regular session, is officially titled the ‘NC Victims of Crime Assistance Act.’

We provide this summary of its provisions, reviewed and clarified from the actual bill text.

In summary, the bill establishes the North Carolina Victims of Crime Assistance Act, setting up a dedicated fund and a grant program managed by the Governor’s Crime Commission. Both public and nonprofit organizations serving victims are eligible, with grants capped at $1 million per recipient each fiscal year. Funded activities must address the emotional, physical, financial and safety concerns of victims. Recipients must submit detailed reports regarding provided services, spending, and the number of individuals served. The bill mandates an annual legislative report summarizing fund activities. Funding will come from an increase in certain criminal court fees and a bump in the marriage license fee, from $60 to $65, channeling $3.50 from each qualified court cost and $5 from each marriage license into the fund. Most changes become effective once the act is law, while fee adjustments start Dec. 1, 2026.

Bradley submitted an additional 75 bills throughout the 2025 session.

In North Carolina, proposed legislation goes through a multi-step legislative process. Bills are initially filed by lawmakers, sent to committees for review, and must clear three readings in both the Senate and House. If lawmakers in one chamber amend the bill following passage in the other, each chamber must agree to the revised version. After approval in both chambers, the bill heads to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 days while the legislature is adjourned) to sign it, veto it, or allow it to become law without a signature.

Bradley holds a BA from Hollins University, earned in 1995.

A member of the Democratic Party, Bradley was elected in 2025 to represent North Carolina’s 42nd Senate district, succeeding former senator Rachel Hunt.