Establishes provisions relating to freestanding claims of actual innocence

HB 731 allows the Department of Corrections to file a separate "freestanding" claim of actual innocence in postconviction cases, meaning it can be raised independently of other appeals. Courts must review such claims if presented with clear and convincing evidence proving innocence, including evidence not previously considered at trial or during plea proceedings. If the evidence undermines confidence in the original conviction, the court must vacate the judgment. This directly affects individuals already convicted who seek to prove innocence through new evidence not available during their original trial.