Bill > SB89

This bill establishes a dedicated Sexual and Violent Offender Presentence Investigation and Reporting Unit within the Department of Corrections to address increasing sexual and violent crime rates in the state. The unit will consist of probation and parole officers specifically assigned to conduct presentence investigations and reports for sexual offenses (as defined in 46-23-502) and violent offenses when directed by the court. The bill aims to improve the timeliness and quality of presentence investigations by creating a specialized unit, responding to findings from the Criminal Justice Oversight Council that existing probation and parole officers' workloads were impacting the effectiveness of these investigations. The legislation makes several technical amendments to existing law, including clarifying the definition of "probation and parole officer" and expanding requirements for documenting victim losses in presentence reports. Additionally, the bill maintains existing provisions that require presentence investigation reports to be completed within 30 business days and considered by the court prior to sentencing, with the new specialized unit expected to help ensure more consistent and thorough investigations for sexual and violent offenses.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC0241