This bill establishes new provisions in the North Dakota Century Code regarding the costs associated with digital forensic examinations and the creation of an internet crimes investigation fund. Under the new section added to chapter 29-26, individuals convicted of a felony or misdemeanor will be required to reimburse the costs of any digital forensic examination conducted on their personal electronic devices during the investigation and prosecution of their crimes. The maximum fee for this reimbursement is set at one hundred dollars per defendant, and all collected fees will be directed to the state treasurer for deposit into the newly established internet crimes investigation fund.

The second section of the bill creates the internet crimes investigation fund within the state treasury, which will consist of the fees collected from the digital forensic examination reimbursements. This fund will be continuously appropriated to the attorney general for various purposes, including the acquisition of information technology hardware and software, digital forensic training, and internet safety presentations aimed at assisting law enforcement and organizations focused on preventing technology-facilitated child sexual exploitation and internet crimes against children. Additionally, any interest earned on the fund's balance will be credited back to the fund.