Raleigh, NC — Rep. John Bell introduced Jaleeyah's Law (HB 1173), an anti-gang bill to combat violent crime, protect vulnerable victims, and equip law enforcement and prosecutors with stronger tools to keep our communities safe.

Jaleeyah’s Law is named in memory of 13-year-old Jaleeyah Tune, who was tragically killed in a gang-related shooting in Goldsboro last December. The bipartisan bill bolsters our state’s efforts to dismantle criminal organizations and get weapons out of the hands of dangerous individuals.

Among its provisions, Jaleeyah’s Law:

• ‍Cracks down on firearm possession by criminal gang members. ‍
• Creates tougher penalties for predators who recruit minors into gangs. ‍
• Increases punishment for gang-related crimes. ‍
• Gives investigators and prosecutor stronger tools to break up gangs and target organized criminal activity.

House Rules Chairman John Bell said, “What happened to Jaleeyah is an unbearable loss, and no family should ever have to go through what her family has experienced. We will never accept gangs that prey on children and tear families apart as normal. With Jaleeyah’s Law, we are targeting these criminals by giving law enforcement and prosecutors the power they need to hold them accountable and better protect our communities.”

The bill passed the House 111-2 and now heads to the Senate.