Raleigh, NC– 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 Wednesday 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.

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