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RALEIGH -- A bill aimed at making reparations to victims of North Carolina's former eugenics program was approved by the state House Tuesday. This proposal would give $50,000 to living victims of this involuntary sterilization program.

Opponents say it is bad business for the state to start making reparations for actions of past leaders and question the dollar amount of the payout, but supporters say the practice was simply wrong and this action is the right thing to do.

"There are people living today, there are people all around this community that have had this thing done to them and this is an opportunity to say we are going to put this to rest," said Rep. Thom Tillis. "We are going to make a decision, we are going to memorialize. Sometimes we have to look at what the predecessors in this institution did and say that was wrong and that's the opportunity we have today."

This bill will now go on to the Senate for consideration.