The bill aims to revise laws related to recidivism by defining the term and establishing reporting requirements for the Department of Corrections. It mandates the department to create an inventory of felony convictions for offenders sentenced on or after July 1, 2020, and to calculate and report the recidivism rate annually starting September 1, 2026. The recidivism rate will be determined based on whether offenders have been sentenced for new felonies or have violated parole or probation terms within five years of a previous felony conviction, excluding compliance violations. The results of this calculation must be reported to the governor, legislature, and the public, including detailed offender information.

Additionally, the bill amends existing definitions of recidivism in the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to align with the new definition established in the bill. It specifies that recidivism includes new felony sentences or violations of probation or parole terms within five years, while excluding compliance violations. The bill also updates the definition of recidivism in Section 46-1-1103 to reflect the new language. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2023.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 1-1-207, 46-1-1103