The proposed bill aims to establish a new section in the North Dakota Century Code that mandates the provision of psychological counseling for jurors who have been exposed to particularly graphic or emotional evidence during trials. Specifically, the court is required to offer up to ten hours of post-trial counseling at no cost to jurors or alternate jurors who served in trials involving serious offenses such as murder, manslaughter, negligent homicide, felony-level assault, sexual offenses, and child abuse or neglect, among others as determined by the court.

The bill outlines that this counseling must be provided within 180 days after the jury is discharged and can be facilitated by the court system, a state agency, or through contracted services. Additionally, the counseling can be conducted in either individual or group settings, ensuring that jurors have access to the necessary support following their service in emotionally taxing trials.