ND HB1549

Summary of HB 1549 - Corrections Re-entry and Criminal Justice Reform

• Creates a correctional facility grant committee (6 members) to administer grants expanding evidence-based programming in county, regional, and tribal correctional facilities, with priority given to facilities lacking existing re-entry, educational, or counseling programs.

• Requires the Department of Corrections to facilitate photo ID applications for offenders and connect all eligible offenders to Medicaid or other health services programs before release.

• Establishes a housing task force to address barriers for probationers, parolees, and released individuals, with annual reports on housing assistance programs including options for sexual offenders and sober/low-barrier housing capacity.

• Directs examination of criminal justice data practices across agencies, including development of a data sharing portal to track Medicaid status changes for incarcerated individuals.

• Mandates a 2025-26 interim study on expanding criminal record sealing, including automation for eligible individuals and potential creation of expungement processes; passed House 62-29 and Senate 43-3.