Relating to the collection of data on missing persons and the missing indigenous people task force; to amend and reenact section 54‑12‑34 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the criminal justice data information sharing system; to provide for a legislative management report; to provide an appropriation; to provide a continuing appropriation; to provide for a transfer; to provide an expiration date; and to declare an emergency.
Relating to jurisdiction of district courts and municipal court requirements, jurisdiction, procedures, and processes; to amend and reenact subsection 1 of section 29‑07‑01.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to indigent defense; and to repeal sections 40‑11‑10, 40‑11‑11, 40‑11‑12, and 40‑11‑13 and chapter 40‑18 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to ordinance violations and municipal judges.
Relating to closing certain criminal records; and to amend and reenact sections 12‑60.1‑01 and 12‑60.1‑02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to closed records and grounds to file a petition to seal a criminal record.
HB 1263 proposes an amendment to section 12-60.1-04 of the North Dakota Century Code. This bill specifically addresses the process for hearings on petitions to seal a criminal record. It directly affects individuals who are seeking to have their past criminal records sealed by modifying the procedures related to these hearings.
HB 1197 creates a $50 million jail improvement fund (funded by a transfer from the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund) to provide grants for county jail upgrades, remodeling, or replacements. The bill establishes a committee with legislative members, county representatives, and corrections stakeholders to review applications and approve grants. Counties receiving grants must contribute at least 25% of project costs, and at least 25% of annual funds must support projects in counties with populations under 15,000. The law, signed by the governor in April 2025, directly affects North Dakota counties and correctional facilities by enabling targeted infrastructure investments.
HCR 3037 is a concurrent resolution directing North Dakota's Legislative Management to study establishing new requirements for public officials regarding child exploitation. It proposes examining mandatory reporting of suspected abuse by officials, creating a specialized investigative body within the Attorney General's office, and implementing severe penalties - including criminal charges, removal from office, and loss of retirement benefits - for officials who engage in, enable, or conceal such abuse. The study would also assess victim safety protections, financial impacts, and similar laws in other states. This resolution does not create new laws but directs a feasibility study to inform potential future legislation.
HB 1364 amends North Dakota's legal code to adjust how courts handle partial sentence suspension for individuals who successfully complete specialized court programs. The bill modifies a specific section of the Century Code to allow courts to partially suspend a defendant's sentence upon completion of drug court, mental health court, or veterans treatment dockets. This means participants in these programs may avoid serving the full sentence, potentially reducing prison time or enabling community-based alternatives. The change directly affects defendants in these programs who meet completion requirements, without altering program eligibility or structure.
HB 1205 allows parents or their agents to anonymously leave infants under 60 days old in secure, 24/7 monitored safety devices at designated hospitals or leave them with on-duty staff at approved locations without facing prosecution under certain criminal codes. The bill defines "newborn safety devices" as temperature-controlled, alarm-equipped units visible to staff, and requires hospitals to accept infants without asking for parent information or medical history. It also creates a numbered identification bracelet system to link parents to infants for potential reunification, while guaranteeing confidentiality of parent identities unless the infant was harmed. The law provides immunity to hospitals and staff for accepting infants under these provisions and mandates a public awareness campaign about the program.
Relating to transparent sentencing of criminal offenders, transfer of persons between correctional facilities, work release eligibility and conditions for criminal offenders, sentences for assaulting and fleeing from law enforcement officers, and sentences for preventing arrest; to provide a legislative management report; to provide a penalty; and to provide for application.
SB 2165 amends North Dakota laws governing peace officer licensing, directly affecting current and prospective law enforcement officers. The bill expands the Peace Officer Standards and Training Board's authority to require medical or psychological evaluations of officers for public safety, and allows the board to access medical records without standard privacy restrictions. It also clarifies grounds for license denial or suspension, including felony convictions, domestic violence offenses, use of unjustified force, or false statements during licensing. The bill updates fee structures for applications, renewals, and other licensing actions, and specifies that medical information provided to the board is exempt from typical privacy protections. These changes aim to strengthen licensing oversight while streamlining administrative processes.
