RALEIGH, N.C. — A North Carolina bill that would make drugging someone's drink illegal now heads to the state Senate.
The House passed the bill unanimously Monday.
[RELATED: Police continue to investigate case of women being allegedly drugged at bars]
Current law states an individual can't put drugs in someone's food, but doesn't specifically mention drinks and House Bill 3-93 would change that while closing the so-called 'incapacitation loophole.'
The bill would also punish anyone who takes advantage of people who have physical or mental disabilities.
Mecklenburg County representative Chaz Beasley got the idea for the bill from a case in uptown Charlotte.
Beasley said Leah McGuirk contacted him after she says she was drugged at the Epicentre, but not sexually assaulted.
[PAST COVERAGE: Police investigate claim that woman was drugged at EpiCentre bar]
Beasley told Channel 9 it takes courage for victims to share their stories.
"I really appreciate all the survivors and stakeholders who share their stories in order to bring this to our attention so we can do something about it," said Beasley.
A plan to speed up rape kit testing is also currently advancing in the State house.
Read full bill here.
NC bill to prevent future rape kit delays OK'd by House panel
New processes to test thousands of sexual assault kits held by local North Carolina law enforcement agencies are advancing in the House.
A bill approved by the House Judiciary Committee on Monday seeks to prevent future backlogs of sometimes-forgotten rape kits held in police storage lockers around the state.
[PAST COVERAGE: North Carolina measure would require testing for all rape kits]
The measure directs police and sheriff departments starting this summer to submit new, completed kits for testing to the State Crime Lab, an approved third-party lab or the Department of Public Safety within 45 days of receiving them. It also directs local law enforcement to create panels that review sexual assault kits and prioritize which should be tested first.
The House budget is expected to contain $3 million to help pay for outside lab testing of the outstanding kits.
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Associated Press
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