Criminal Justice

signed · North Dakota · House Mar 24, 2025

HB 1328: AN ACT to amend and reenact section 27-20.4-05.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to delinquency referrals to juvenile court.

HB 1328 amends North Dakota law to change how schools and law enforcement refer students for minor offenses to juvenile court. It requires schools to first try disciplinary measures (like counseling or suspensions) before referring students for non-serious offenses on school property, unless the offense involves drugs, violence, sex crimes, or weapons. The bill also updates the definition of "custodian" to include school staff with legal responsibility for a child. These changes directly affect school officials, law enforcement, and students in North Dakota schools.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires schools to use disciplinary measures before juvenile court referrals for minor offenses, reducing unnecessary system involvement per criminal justice reform principles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Juvenile Justice

signed · North Dakota · House Mar 31, 2025

HB 1347: AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 27-05 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to district court supervised treatment programs approved by the supreme court.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFormalizes treatment programs with best practices, assigning clear roles to improve rehabilitation and reduce recidivism through coordinated oversight.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts Probation & Parole

signed · North Dakota · House Apr 14, 2025

HB 1364: AN ACT to amend and reenact subsection 3 of section 39-08-01.5 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the partial suspension of sentence for drug court program, mental health court program, or veterans treatment docket completion.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllows partial sentence suspension upon completion of drug/mental health/veterans treatment programs, promoting rehabilitation over incarceration per bill's intent.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables sentence suspension upon completing mental health court, supporting access to mental health treatment programs through judicial system integration.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly includes veterans treatment dockets in sentence suspension provisions, creating specialized pathways for veterans to avoid full incarceration through treatment programs.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

signed · North Dakota · House Apr 21, 2025

HB 1197: AN ACT to provide for a legislative management study of correctional facilities.

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $50M from existing fund for jail upgrades, demonstrating fiscal management through targeted budget reallocation for corrections infrastructure.85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds $50M for jail facility upgrades, aligning with correctional infrastructure improvements as part of criminal justice reform.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

signed · North Dakota · House Apr 21, 2025

HB 1549: AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 12-44.1 and two new sections to chapter 54-23.3 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the correctional facility grant program, housing task force, and criminal justice data collection; to amend and reenact section 12-47-31 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to offenders released from the department of corrections and rehabilitation; to provide for a statement of legislative intent; to provide for a legislative management study; and to provide for a legislative management report.

Relating to the correctional facility grant program, housing task force, and criminal justice data collection; to amend and reenact section 12-47-31 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to offenders released from the department of corrections and rehabilitation; to provide for a statement of legislative intent; to provide for a legislative management study; and to provide for a legislative management report.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates correctional grant program, housing task force, and criminal justice data collection to improve system transparency and post-release support, aligning with reform indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

in committee · North Dakota · House Apr 15, 2025

HCR 3028: A concurrent resolution directing the Legislative Management to consider studying human trafficking victim service and re-entry programs.

HCR 3028 is a resolution directing North Dakota's Legislative Management to study human trafficking victim services and re-entry programs. It requires an assessment of current services, protections for victims from dangerous individuals, policies, data, and resource allocation to identify ways to help victims rebuild their lives. The study must include input from law enforcement, the Attorney General's office, nonprofits, and other stakeholders. Legislative Management will report findings and recommendations - including any needed legislation - to the next state legislature. This resolution does not change laws but directs a formal review of existing support systems.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill directs study of human trafficking victim services and re-entry programs to improve victim support and rehabilitation, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Human Trafficking

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passed · North Dakota · House Feb 19, 2025

HB 1337: A BILL for an Act to provide an appropriation to the department of health and human services for mental health services for incarcerated individuals; and to provide for a report.

HB 1337 would provide $10 million in state funds to counties for mental health and substance use disorder treatment services for people in jail. The bill requires counties receiving grants to report annually on how funds were used and outcomes, and the health department to submit a summary report to lawmakers by 2026. This funding would cover the 2025-2027 biennium and aim to expand access to mental health care for incarcerated individuals.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $10M state funds for mental health services in jails, increasing public service funding under state budget appropriations.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds mental health treatment for incarcerated individuals, promoting rehabilitation and criminal justice reform through expanded access to services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $10M for mental health services in jails, expanding access for incarcerated individuals per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Mental Health Substance Abuse

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