This bill aims to revise and make permanent the exoneration compensation laws, ensuring that individuals wrongfully convicted can receive compensation more effectively. Key changes include the removal of a pardon as a valid basis for establishing a claim for compensation, as well as limiting the circumstances under which a proffer of actual innocence may be required. Additionally, the bill revises the information that must accompany a claim and updates the timeline for when claimants convicted prior to July 2021 can file their claims.

Furthermore, the legislation eliminates the county of conviction as a party to a claim and mandates a transfer of funds to the Exoneree Compensation Fund, which will now have a permanent statutory appropriation. The bill also revises the timing for when transition assistance grants must be paid, streamlining the compensation process for exonerated individuals. The proposed amendments affect several sections of the Montana Code Annotated and repeal a previous law from 2021.

Statutes affected:
HB0423_1.pdf: 46-32-102, 46-32-104, 46-32-108
HB0423_2.pdf: 46-32-102, 46-32-104, 46-32-108
HB0423_3.pdf: 46-32-102, 46-32-104, 46-32-108
HB0423_4.pdf: 46-32-102, 46-32-104, 46-32-108
Amended: 46-32-101, 46-32-102, 46-32-103, 46-32-104, 46-32-108
Introduced: 46-32-102, 46-32-104, 46-32-108