Criminal Justice

HB 1061 amends specific sections of North Dakota's victim treatment code (12.1-34-02) to enhance protections for crime victims. The bill directly affects victims of crime and the state agencies responsible for their support services. However, the provided context lacks specific details about the exact changes to subsections 17 and 18 or the concrete mechanisms of the amendments. The bill was enacted after signing by the Governor on March 24, 2025. Without the full text or specific provisions described in the abstract, a detailed summary of the policy changes cannot be provided.

HB 1336 modifies North Dakota law to require courts to issue orders prohibiting contact between defendants and victims in cases involving crimes of violence, stalking, harassment, or sex offenses when defendants are released before trial. These orders must be provided to victims, entered into state and federal crime databases within one business day, and can be modified or terminated by court order upon request. Violating such an order is a class A misdemeanor, and law enforcement must arrest individuals without a warrant if probable cause exists. The bill directly affects victims in these specific criminal cases and defendants released pre-trial, with key changes focusing on mandatory contact orders and electronic database reporting.

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 1301 would require North Dakota courts to explicitly prohibit probationers from possessing firearms, destructive devices, or dangerous weapons as a standard condition of probation, except for specific first-time misdemeanor offenses under certain sections (like minor traffic violations or low-level drug offenses) if the court makes a documented finding of "good cause" to waive the ban. It also adds new probation conditions like community service, electronic monitoring, and strict rules against failing urine tests, while prohibiting firearm bans for most other misdemeanors. The bill applies to all probation sentences imposed after its effective date. This would directly affect individuals on probation for most crimes, limiting their access to firearms unless specific legal exceptions apply.

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.

HB 1503 amends North Dakota's criminal code to update penalties for drivers who cause injury while operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. It specifically revises subsection 2 of section 39-08-01.2 in the North Dakota Century Code, adjusting the legal consequences for this offense. The bill directly affects individuals convicted of DUI-related injury incidents by establishing a new penalty structure under the amended code section. This change modifies the sentencing framework for these specific criminal violations without altering the underlying offense definition.

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.

HCR 3029 is a non-binding resolution directing North Dakota's Legislative Management to study how inpatient and community-based services, along with existing waivers, support people with neurological conditions (like dementia or autism) whose behavioral symptoms risk incarceration, wrong facility placements, or homelessness. The study must analyze current data, identify service gaps, review treatment options, and recommend solutions such as new waiver programs or care guidelines. It does not change laws or provide funding but requires a report with recommendations to the next legislative session. This resolution affects individuals with neurological conditions facing system failures, not specific groups or policies.

SB 2194 requires North Dakota's Bureau of Criminal Investigation to accept digital fingerprints for background checks and deliver results within four business days to requesting agencies (like employers or licensing boards). It appropriates $5 million to cover equipment and costs for this system during the 2025-2027 biennium. The bill applies to background check requests received after its effective date of February 1, 2026. This changes how criminal history checks are processed by making digital submissions and faster turnaround mandatory for state agencies conducting these checks.

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.