Rep. Rhyne files North Carolina House bill for domestic violence offender registry

A new bill filed by State Rep. Heather H. Rhyne in the North Carolina House aims to establish a registration program for persistent domestic violence offenders, according to the North Carolina State House.

The bill, filed as HB 1075 on April 28 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘Persistent D.V. Offender Registry.’

The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.

In essence, this bill creates a persistent domestic violence offender registration program managed by the State Bureau of Investigation, requiring people convicted of a domestic violence offense with at least one prior domestic violence conviction to register. Courts must issue written orders setting registration terms of 2, 5 or 10 years based on the number of prior convictions, with adjustments or termination if convictions are reversed or pardoned. The registry, available online to the public, will list each offender’s name, date of birth, conviction date, county of conviction and photo. Offenders must pay a $150 fee to support registry administration. The bill takes effect Dec. 1, 2026, for offenses committed on or after that date.

Of the four sponsors of this bill, Charles W. Miller proposed the most bills (42) 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.

Rhyne graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1998.

Rhyne, a Republican, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2024 to represent the state’s 97th House district, replacing previous state representative Jason Saine.