State lawmakers passed a far-reaching domestic violence bill Wednesday that toughens penalties and increases funding to provide legal help for victims.

Among other things, the legislation increases sentences for repeat offenders, mandates treatment for abusers during probation and increases domestic violence training for judges and law enforcement officers.

It also includes the measure to make strangulation resulting in injury a felony, which was sought for years by victims' advocates who say strangulation is often a precursor to murder.

Unlike other contentious bills debated on the floor, House members voted unanimously to send the domestic violence bill to Gov. Mike Easley for approval.

"It's a great day for North Carolina," said House Co-Speaker Richard Morgan, a Moore County Republican. "This is something Speaker [Jim] Black and I have been interested in for a long time."

A House Select Committee on Domestic Violence, created last year by Morgan and co-speaker Black, a Mecklenburg Democrat, worked on a wide array of measures aimed at combatting domestic violence. Pitt County Democratic Rep. Marian McLawhorn and Bumcombe Republican Rep. Wilma Sherrill were co-chairwomen of the committee.

The committee was created in response to articles published last year in The News & Observer after a string of high-profile domestic slayings across the state. The N&O's series detailed how more than half of those who killed their domestic partners faced little punishment for incidents of abuse before the homicides and often had their charges dismissed.

The bill's passage thrilled victims' advocates.

"We think clearly the hard work of the House Select Committee on Domestic Violence paid off," said Mary Beth Loucks-Sorrell, executive director of the N.C. Coalition Against Domestic Violence. "Their research and dedication is going to make a difference. This bill is incredible -- it's so comprehensive."

That sentiment was echoed by Leslie Starsoneck, executive director of the N.C. Council for Women and Domestic Violence Commission. "This bill shows that North Carolina really cares about the issue," Starsoneck said.

Sherrill, one of the committee's co-chairwomen, was pleased the group was able to "put together a piece of legislation that truly will start to eliminate this epidemic."

She said she is already thinking what else the committee can do before the end of the year. Specifically, Sherrill said, members hope to evaluate where state funding aimed at domestic violence is spent and whether it is being well-spent.

Other measures in the bill are:

* Raising an estimated $1 million a year for agencies that provide legal representation to domestic violence victims.

* Asking the state Department of Public Instruction to study anti-violence education in schools and training for teachers.

* Requiring abuser treatment for offenders in prison.

* Permitting judges to award custody to victims during domestic violence protective order hearings when children are at risk for abuse.

* Prohibiting employment discrimination against victims who take time off work to seek a restraining order.