Sen. Bradley introduces legislation in North Carolina Senate to broaden protections for victims of domestic violence

State Sen. Woodson Bradley has introduced a new bill designed to increase protections for individuals experiencing domestic violence and streamline the court process for such cases, the North Carolina State Senate reports.

The proposal, filed on April 21 as SB 792 in the 2025 regular session, appears on the docket under the short title: ‘Kayla’s Act: Protecting Dom. Violence Victims.’

Below is a breakdown based on the actual bill text. This summary may incorporate explanations to clarify its measures.

Kayla’s Act proposes to enhance support for domestic violence victims by allowing the admission of hearsay statements if a party has deliberately prevented a witness from appearing, extending the statute of limitations to 10 years for certain misdemeanors involving special pretrial release terms, and establishing a method for remote testimony by domestic violence victims in criminal proceedings. The bill details requirements for notifications, objections, hearings, technological standards, and guarantees for real-time viewing, cross-examination, and communication between attorneys and clients. Additional updates adjust related statutes on remote testimony, and the act allocates $2 million in one-time funds for the 2026-27 fiscal year to support implementation and a public awareness initiative. Most measures would take effect upon the bill’s enactment.

During the 2025 regular session, Bradley also put forward 75 other legislative proposals.

Legislation in North Carolina follows a multi-step pathway before becoming law. A legislator begins the process by filing a bill, after which it is assigned to a committee for examination. Each chamber must give the bill three readings. Should amendments occur in one chamber after passage in the other, agreement from both is necessary. When both chambers pass the same version, the measure moves to the governor, who then has 10 days (or 30 days if the legislature is adjourned) to sign, veto, or allow the bill to become law without signature.

Bradley is a Hollins University graduate, earning a BA in 1995.

A member of the Democratic Party, Bradley was elected in 2025 to North Carolina’s 42nd Senate district, taking over from Rachel Hunt.