House Bill No. introduced by K. Seekins-Crowe aims to provide compensation for individuals wrongfully convicted of felony crimes and subsequently exonerated. The bill establishes a clear procedure for filing and determining petitions for compensation, defining key terms such as "claimant" and "imprisonment." It requires claimants to waive any other remedies related to their wrongful conviction and provides a transition assistance grant of $5,000 while claims are pending. Compensation will not be awarded for convictions related to crimes that are now legal. The bill also outlines the process for expungement of wrongful convictions, increases the county's contribution towards damages from 50% to 75%, and establishes an exoneree compensation fund to manage payments, which include $80,000 for each year of wrongful imprisonment and additional compensation for time served on parole or probation.

Additionally, the bill introduces new sections to existing law to enhance the regulatory framework for recovery residences or programs, mandating reporting practices under existing statutes. It includes a codification instruction to incorporate these new sections into Title 46 and establishes a severability clause to ensure that if any part of the act is invalidated, the remaining sections remain enforceable. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, providing clarity and continuity in its implementation while maintaining the overall intent of the legislation.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 46-23-1041
HB0093_1(1): 46-23-1041
HB0093_1(2): 46-23-1041
HB0093_1(3): 46-23-1041
HB0093_1(4): 46-23-1041
HB0093_1(5): 46-23-1041
HB0093_1(6): 46-23-1041
HB0093_1(7): 46-23-1041
HB0093_1: 46-23-1041
HB0093_2(1): 46-23-1041
HB0093_2(10): 46-23-1041
HB0093_2(11): 46-23-1041
HB0093_2(12): 46-23-1041
HB0093_2(13): 46-23-1041
HB0093_2(14): 46-23-1041
HB0093_2(15): 46-23-1041
HB0093_2(16): 46-23-1041
HB0093_2(2): 46-23-1041
HB0093_2(3): 46-23-1041
HB0093_2(4): 46-23-1041
HB0093_2(5): 46-23-1041
HB0093_2(6): 46-23-1041
HB0093_2(7): 46-23-1041
HB0093_2(8): 46-23-1041
HB0093_2(9): 46-23-1041
HB0093_2: 46-23-1041
HB0093_3(1): 46-23-1041
HB0093_3(2): 46-23-1041
HB0093_3(3): 46-23-1041
HB0093_3(4): 46-23-1041
HB0093_3: 46-23-1041