The Northern Ireland Assembly has received the Sentencing Bill from the Department of Justice. The measure had its first reading and aims to impose tougher penalties for various offences.

Provisions raise the maximum sentence for causing death or serious injury through dangerous or careless driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs from 14 years to 20 years. Peter Dolan, whose son Enda died in 2014 after a van driver under the influence struck him on a Belfast footpath, has campaigned for a decade to strengthen such penalties. The driver received seven years, increased to nine on appeal.

The bill adds a new offence with increased sentences for assaults on people performing public duties or providing public services. It establishes Charlotte's Law, which treats failure to reveal a murder victim's remains location as an aggravating factor during sentencing. Post-sentence disclosures qualify for reduced terms, and parole boards must consider non-disclosures when deciding releases, similar to arrangements elsewhere.

Drawing from Judge Desmond Marrinan's review of hate crime laws, the bill updates prosecutions for racially aggravated offences. Justice Minister Naomi Long stated that victims and families shaped the legislation and expressed readiness to address racially motivated crimes at record levels. Ross Moorlock of road safety group Brake supported the driving provisions. Glyn Roberts of Retail NI backed protections for staff facing assaults.