Bill > HB1417

This bill makes several changes to North Dakota's legal code related to parole, probation, and court fees. It introduces a new definition of "absconded" for probationers and parolees, which means willfully avoiding supervision by making one's whereabouts unknown or failing to report to a supervising authority. The bill modifies procedures for parole violation hearings, allowing the parole board to order a parolee to pay return costs if they have absconded. It updates the risk assessment process for probationers, allowing the department of corrections to use a validated tool to identify risk and responsivity factors that could help reduce the likelihood of reoffending. The bill also removes provisions related to indigent defense application fees and reimbursement of defense costs. Additionally, the bill directs the legislative management to conduct a study during the 2025-26 interim on court fines and fees, examining collection rates, practices in other states, and the overall impact on defendants. The study will cover various programs like travel permits, presentence investigations, drug court, electronic monitoring, and the twenty-four seven sobriety program, with recommendations to be reported to the seventieth legislative assembly.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://ndlegis.gov/assembly/69-2025/regular/bill-overview/bo1417.html