Central ND News

Gov. Kelly Armstrong has signed three bills aimed at improving reentry practices in North Dakota to enhance public safety. The legislation seeks to address crime by promoting recovery and assisting individuals transitioning from prison back into the community.

In his State of the State address, Armstrong emphasized intelligent approaches to crime, stating, “We need to be smart on crime, not soft on crime.” He credited the Legislature and various partners for devising a practical safety approach focused on accountability, recovery, and reentry.

The bills, namely House Bills 1425, 1417, and 1549, were introduced by Rep. Larry Klemin with the support of multiple co-sponsors, including Rep. Karla Rose Hanson, Rep. Greg Stemen, Sen. Kyle Davison, and Sen. Diane Larson. Lt. Gov. Michelle Strinden and Jonathan Holth, State Commissioner of Recovery and Reentry, also expressed support during legislative discussions.

Klemin highlighted the widespread backing these bills received, noting their positive direction for the criminal justice system due to support from a variety of stakeholders: “It’s clear that these policies move our criminal justice system in the right direction.”

These legislative measures result from efforts by the North Dakota Justice Reinvestment Initiative Reentry Study Work Group, comprised of leaders across state departments, community partners, and experts who reviewed local data and services. Their report informed the policies in the bills.

These bills aim to improve reentry and involve support for treatment programs, removal of certain fees, and inter-agency collaboration. Provisions include initiatives for securing state identification and medical coverage for those leaving correctional facilities.

“This legislation is another example of our state’s longtime commitment to using data, research and collaboration,” Hanson stated, emphasizing the data-driven reform supported by the state Legislature and Armstrong.

Detailed descriptions of the bills reveal various focuses:

HB 1425 enacts a pilot in three counties to enhance State’s Attorney’s offices' diversion programs, provides supervision, and creates clarity on deflection practices. It also evaluates the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's Pretrial Services Program.

HB 1417 updates criminal justice definitions, removes negligible fees, and proposes reviews of additional fees to assess their state revenue impact.

HB 1549 helps individuals leaving correctional facilities to reintegrate safely with access to programs, identification, and Medicaid. It establishes a task force for housing barriers and studies data sharing and record expungement.