RALEIGH (AP) — State legislators have filed a bill recommending that people forcibly sterilized decades ago in North Carolina get $50,000 each.
If the legislation becomes law, North Carolina will become the first state to compensate victims of eugenics programs that ended the child-bearing abilities of people deemed undesirable.
In an unusual move, the House sponsors of the bill filed today include Speaker Thom Tillis. The Republican has said a compensation plan would show state officials are serious about trying to redeem a dark chapter in North Carolina history.
Gov. Beverly Perdue’s budget proposal last week included more than $10 million to give $50,000 in tax-free compensation to each living victim. Some of the funds would support other services of the North Carolina Justice for Sterilization Victims Foundation.