The bill amends several sections of the North Dakota Century Code to improve the management of parole and probation violations, court fees, and the implementation of risk assessments for individuals under supervision. Key changes include a clarified definition of "absconded," which specifies when a parolee or probationer is considered to be avoiding supervision, and the introduction of a risk assessment process by the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation. This assessment will help determine the necessary level of supervision and create individualized case plans addressing identified risk factors. Additionally, the bill modifies probation conditions to prohibit the possession of firearms or dangerous weapons, with specific conditions for potential waivers, and establishes a minimum supervision cost of fifty-five dollars per month unless undue hardship is demonstrated.

Significant changes also include the removal of provisions related to the reimbursement of indigent defense costs as a condition of probation, streamlining the process for defendants. The bill clarifies the responsibilities of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation regarding notifications of untried petitions for revocation and outlines the timeline for related hearings. It establishes the indigent defense administration fund to manage application fees collected, which will support the indigent defense system. Furthermore, the bill mandates a legislative management study during the 2025-26 interim to evaluate court fines and fees, their collection rates, and their impacts on defendants, with a report due to the seventieth legislative assembly.

Statutes affected:
INTRODUCED: 12-59-15, 12.1-01-04, 12.1-22-01, 12.1-32-07, 12.1-32-08, 29-07-01.1
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Representative Klemin: 12-59-15, 12.1-01-04, 12.1-22-01, 12.1-32-07, 12.1-32-08, 29-07-01.1
FIRST ENGROSSMENT: 12-59-15, 12.1-01-04, 12.1-22-01, 12.1-32-07, 12.1-32-08, 29-07-01.1
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Representative Paulson: 12-59-15, 12.1-01-04, 12.1-22-01, 12.1-32-07, 12.1-32-08, 29-07-01.1
Prepared by the Legislative Council staff for Senate Appropriations - Education and Environment Division Committee: 12-59-15, 12.1-01-04, 12.1-22-01, 12.1-32-07, 12.1-32-08, 29-07-01.1
Enrollment: 12-59-15, 12.1-01-04, 12.1-22-01, 12.1-32-07, 12.1-32-08, 29-07-01.1