NC legislature passes bill limiting execution transparency

RALEIGH, NC (AP) – A bill that would allow quicker changes to North Carolina’s execution process and block information about the manufacturing of lethal injection drugs has passed the legislature and is going to the governor.

The House on Wednesday agreed with changes made by the Senate earlier this week allowing parts of the law to stand if one portion is struck down in court. Lawmakers supporting the bill say they expect lengthy legal challenges.

Democrats and death penalty opponents oppose a part of the bill clarifying that executions are exempt from the state’s rule making process, which requires proposed changes go through the public input process.

The bill also ends a requirement that a doctor supervise executions. A physician would still be needed to certify death.

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