Juvenile Justice Committee

Studies

1195 § 1 Study, in collaboration with the Commission on Juvenile Justice, the North Dakota Criminal Code to ensure equitable application to youths charged with juvenile delinquencies. The study must include consideration of the desirability and feasibility of a separate juvenile delinquency offense code, whether a separate and unique classification of criminal offenses for juveniles should be created, and which criminal offenses should receive a distinct classification for juvenile offenders, if any. In conducting the study, the Legislative Management and the Commission on Juvenile Justice may seek technical assistance, as appropriate, from the Council of State Governments' Justice Center.

2080 § 6 Study the laws and practices of the child welfare system. The study must include a review of the implementation of the revisions in juvenile court procedures and the new model of practice; the laws, administrative rules, and practices of the foster care and adoption systems; the timeliness of termination of parental rights; the timeliness of permanency; and the availability of resources to support children and families experiencing out-of-home placement or risk of out-of-home placement.

2238 § 1 Study the statewide criminal history record check process. The study may include a comparison between the statewide and nationwide criminal history record check standards, a review of the average processing time of a requested criminal history record check, and an evaluation of methods to improve efficiency and processing times of the statewide criminal history record check process.

3026 Study improving re-entry outcomes for incarcerated adults and youth. The study must include an assessment of current public and private re‑entry services, policies, practices, statutes, data, and resource allocation with the goal of identifying opportunities to implement research-based strategies proven to reduce recidivism, improve education and employment outcomes, and maximize resources for the greatest public safety and return on taxpayer dollars. The study also must include an examination of re-entry services in the areas of correctional supervision, employment, job training, housing, transportation, support services, and behavioral health services; levels of collaboration across service systems; and current disparities in re-entry outcomes. The Legislative Management may develop a working group to oversee the study which includes legislators, representatives from nonprofit organizations that assist with re-entry, community members with re-entry experience, and representatives from the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, county jails, the Behavioral Health Division of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Supreme Court, job service or business community, adult and postsecondary education institutions, and tribal nations. The Legislative Management may seek technical assistance, as appropriate, from the Council of State Governments' Justice Center or the Crime and Justice Institute.

Reports

Receive a report from the Department of Health and Human Services before July 1, 2024, on the department's findings and recommendations on the department's study and implementation of a standard framework for youth services for children impacted or potentially impacted by human trafficking. (2023 Senate Bill No. 2341 § 1)

Receive a report from the Attorney General during the 2023-24 interim on the status and results of the human trafficking victims grant program. (2023 Senate Bill No. 2003 § 7)

Receive a report from the Department of Health and Human Services before August 1, 2024, on the progress of the study being conducted with the assistance of the Supreme Court, human service zone directors, and the North Dakota Association of Counties, to review the option of reinstating parental rights that have been terminated by a court. (2023 House Bill No. 1091 § 20)

Receive a compliance report from each public library before May 1, 2024, regarding the implementation of collection development and relocation of materials policies to ensure explicit sexual material is not maintained in the public library's children's collection inventory. (2023 House Bill No. 1205 § 1)  (NDCC § 12.1-27.1-03.5)

Receive an annual report from the Task Force on the Prevention of Sexual Abuse of Children before July 1 of each even-numbered year with any findings and recommendations. Before July 1, 2025, the task force shall submit a final report. (2023 Senate Bill No. 2257 § 1)

Receive a report from the Commission on Juvenile Justice with the commission's findings and recommendations which may include a legislative strategy to implement the recommendations. (NDCC § 50-06-43.2)