A bill aims to keep the severely mentally ill off Death Row.

State Rep. Verla Insko filed a bill this week that would prevent prosecutors from giving the death penalty to people who were not able to understand their crime due to a severe mental illness.

Under the bill, a hearing would be held on the defendant's mental health before the trial, rather than after. Insko said that would cut down on post-sentencing litigation.

Although some other states list the specific illnesses, Insko said her proposal was actually narrower because it only says that the defendant had to be incapable of understanding what they were doing at the time of the crime.

She pointed out that some people with bipolar disorder or schizophrenia, for example, could understand the consequences of a crime if they were properly medicated.

The Chapel Hill Democrat said that she believes the bill would only affect one or two capital punishment cases a year.

A 2001 bill prohibited the death penalty for the mentally retarded. 

A few notable House bills filed:

H.B. 132: Jury Duty Tax Deduction, Rep. Timothy Spear

H.B. 133: Prudent Management of Institutional Funds, Rep. Deborah Ross

H.B. 134: Assault State or Local Officer or Employee, Rep. Russell Tucker

H.B. 135: Broadband Service Providers, Reps. Bill Faison, Joe Tolson, Phil Haire and Thom Tillis

H.B. 137: Capital Procedure / Severe Mental Disability, Reps. Verla Insko, Pricey Harrison, Larry Womble and Paul Luebke

H.B. 149: Require Arts Educ. Credit for Graduation, Reps. Becky Carney, Rick Glazier, Alma Adams and Linda Johnson

H.B. 154: Appoint State Superintendent, Rep. Leo Daughtry

H.B. 155: Appoint State School Superintendent, Reps. Haire, Harold Brubaker, Johnson and Marvin Lucas