SB 2289 requires law enforcement officers in North Dakota to be notified when a domestic violence protection order is issued. This bill directly affects victims of domestic violence and the police officers responding to related incidents. The key provision mandates that courts must disclose these protection orders to law enforcement agencies, ensuring officers have immediate access to critical safety information during responses. This change aims to improve officer awareness and victim safety without altering the legal standards for obtaining protection orders.
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 a prison industries workforce development income tax credit; to provide for a legislative management study; and to provide an effective date.
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.
This bill (SB 2209) prevents victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse/neglect from being charged for medical exams used to gather crime evidence. It requires North Dakota's Attorney General to reimburse healthcare providers and children's advocacy centers for these exams using a $200,000 state appropriation. The law ensures victims (including children) and their guardians won't face direct billing for forensic exams or preliminary screenings. Evidence collected under this law cannot be used against victims for unrelated offenses. The funding supports domestic violence examiner programs and requires reporting on how funds are used and victim outcomes.
HB 1347 creates a new legal framework for district court supervised treatment programs in North Dakota, directly affecting offenders sentenced to supervised probation. The bill assigns specific roles: the Department of Corrections supervises probation compliance, the Department of Health oversees treatment services using established best practices, and district courts coordinate judicial oversight for specialized dockets. This law formalizes existing practices by defining each agency's responsibilities within court-approved treatment programs. It takes effect upon the Governor's signature, which occurred on March 26, 2025.
SB 2096 provides $5 million for renovating state hospital buildings to serve individuals with mental illness under correctional custody, involuntary commitment, or court-ordered forensic exams. It also appropriates $100 million to establish four regional acute psychiatric treatment and residential supportive housing services across North Dakota. The funds will allow the Department of Health and Human Services to build up to 24-bed facilities in each region or contract with private providers for these services. The bill directly affects individuals requiring acute psychiatric care and supportive housing, with funding allocated for the 2025-2027 biennium.
HB 1213 establishes a new "Jail Improvement Revolving Loan Fund" administered by the Bank of North Dakota to provide low-interest loans for jail infrastructure projects. It directly affects counties and regional correctional authorities, enabling them to apply for loans (up to $40 million at 2% interest over 30 years) to renovate, expand, or replace aging jail facilities meeting specific cost and capacity criteria. The bill creates a committee to review applications based on factors like inmate occupancy, structure age, and community support, and mandates a $200 million transfer from the Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund to seed the new loan program for the 2025-2027 biennium. The fund operates as a revolving loan program, with principal and interest repayments replenishing the fund for future projects.
Relating to sentencing alternatives and the sentencing of a defendant to an addiction treatment program for a violation of driving under the influence; and to provide for application.
