Relating to prosecution-led diversion programs, deflection process, and supervision for presentence programs; to provide for a legislative management study; to provide for a legislative management report; and to provide an appropriation.
HB 1361 proposes to create a new section within chapter 12.1-41 of the North Dakota Century Code. This bill establishes mandatory minimum sentences for individuals convicted of human trafficking offenses. It directly affects human trafficking offenders by requiring a minimum prison term upon conviction, and also provides for a penalty.
HB 1528 amends North Dakota's arson and endangering by fire statutes to clarify definitions and strengthen penalties. It specifies that intentionally damaging one's own property to defraud insurers or deprive others of legal interests (like mortgage holders) now qualifies as arson, a class B felony. The bill also expands "endangering" offenses to explicitly include firefighters responding to emergencies and establishes that being intoxicated while starting a fire is considered proof of intent. Offenses are classified as class A, B, or C felonies based on severity, including death, extreme indifference to life, or property damage exceeding $2,000. The law directly affects individuals committing arson or reckless fire/explosion acts, insurers, property owners, and emergency responders.
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.
HB 1415 amends North Dakota law to explicitly exempt work schedule records of employees in the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and law enforcement agencies from public disclosure. This means these specific scheduling records, which were previously subject to public records requests, will no longer be accessible to the public under state law. The bill directly affects corrections and law enforcement staff by shielding their work schedules from transparency requests. The change clarifies and codifies an existing exemption within the state's public records statute.
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.
HB 1217 repeals North Dakota's section 12.1-20-17 of the Century Code, which previously made it a crime to willfully transfer body fluids containing HIV. This procedural bill removes an existing criminal penalty related to HIV transmission through body fluids. The repeal directly affects individuals who might have faced prosecution under this specific law. The bill was signed into law by the Governor on March 19, 2025.
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.
