This bill introduces three new sections to chapter 27-20.4 of the North Dakota Century Code, addressing juvenile court petitions, fitness to proceed in juvenile court, and collateral consequences imposed by the juvenile court. It allows individuals aged ten and older to be assessed for criminal responsibility and establishes that a child not adjudicated due to lack of criminal responsibility remains under court jurisdiction for one year. The bill also includes provisions for investigating whether a child requires protection proceedings and modifies existing laws related to domestic violence, intimate image distribution, and tobacco-related offenses, ensuring that individuals aged fourteen to seventeen are directed to juvenile court for violations rather than facing fines.

Significant amendments include the removal of the age restriction for the distribution of intimate images, allowing prosecution regardless of the victim's age, and the deletion of the phrase "or been adjudicated for or found guilty of" concerning mandatory sexual offender registration. The bill mandates that the court consider various factors, such as the ages of the offender and victim, when assessing mental abnormalities or predatory conduct. It also expands conditions for prohibiting students from participating in extracurricular activities based on legal orders and establishes a process for reviewing delinquency petitions and determining fitness to proceed in court. Additionally, it appropriates $300,000 for juvenile fitness evaluation services, reflecting a commitment to enhancing the juvenile justice system.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 12.1-04.1-01, 12.1-04.1-20, 12.1-17-01.2, 12.1-17-07.2, 12.1-20-01, 12.1-31-03, 12.1-32-15, 15.1-09-33.4, 27-20.2-09, 27-20.4-11, 27-20.4-18, 27-20.4-20, 62.1-02-01
Adopted by the Senate Judiciary Committee: 12.1-04.1-01, 12.1-04.1-20, 12.1-17-01.2, 12.1-17-07.2, 12.1-20-01, 12.1-31-03, 12.1-32-15, 15.1-09-33.4, 27-20.2-09, 27-20.4-11, 27-20.4-18, 27-20.4-20, 62.1-02-01
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 12.1-04.1-01, 12.1-04.1-20, 12.1-17-01.2, 12.1-17-07.2, 12.1-20-01, 12.1-31-03, 12.1-32-15, 15.1-09-33.4, 27-20.2-09, 27-20.4-11, 27-20.4-18, 27-20.4-20, 62.1-02-01
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division Committee: 12.1-04.1-01, 12.1-04.1-20, 12.1-17-01.2, 12.1-17-07.2, 12.1-20-01, 12.1-31-03, 12.1-32-15, 15.1-09-33.4, 27-20.2-09, 27-20.4-11, 27-20.4-18, 27-20.4-20, 62.1-02-01
SECOND ENGROSSMENT: 12.1-04.1-01, 12.1-04.1-20, 12.1-17-01.2, 12.1-17-07.2, 12.1-20-01, 12.1-31-03, 12.1-32-15, 15.1-09-33.4, 27-20.2-09, 27-20.4-11, 27-20.4-18, 27-20.4-20, 62.1-02-01
PREFILED: 12.1-04.1-01, 12.1-04.1-20, 12.1-17-01.2, 12.1-17-07.2, 12.1-20-01, 12.1-31-03, 12.1-32-15, 15.1-09-33.4, 27-20.2-09, 27-20.4-11, 27-20.4-18, 27-20.4-20, 62.1-02-01