Bill > HB1597

This bill creates a civil cause of action allowing claimants to seek damages from the state for wrongful conviction. Claimants must establish certain criteria, including that they were convicted of a felony offense, their conviction was reversed or vacated, and they did not commit the offense. Successful claimants can receive $179 per day of imprisonment, up to $65,000 per fiscal year, as well as additional compensation for parole, supervision, or sex offender registration. The bill also provides for reasonable attorney's fees, tuition assistance, and other non-monetary relief. Claimants are prohibited from seeking further civil redress from the state, and the state's obligation ceases upon the claimant's death. The bill also requires expungement of the claimant's criminal record and destruction of associated biological samples.