Bill
SD 985
Overview: SD 985, An Act to build restorative family and community connection, has passed the House and is awaiting final concurrence.Purpose and Intent: The primary goal of this b
Overview: SD 985, An Act to build restorative family and community connection, has passed the House and is awaiting final concurrence.
Purpose and Intent: The primary goal of this bill is to promote restorative justice practices that strengthen family and community bonds, particularly for individuals involved in the criminal justice system. The intent is to facilitate healing, reduce recidivism, and build more resilient communities.
Key Provisions:
- Establishes a statewide Restorative Justice Commission to develop guidelines and best practices
- Requires all state and county correctional facilities to offer restorative justice programs, including victim-offender dialogues and family group conferencing
- Provides funding for community-based restorative justice centers and training for facilitators
- Allows courts to order restorative justice processes as part of sentencing or probation
Affected Parties and Impacts:
- Incarcerated individuals and their families will have increased access to restorative justice programs
- Victims of crime will have the opportunity to participate in dialogues and the restorative process
- Communities will benefit from strengthened social bonds and reduced recidivism
Procedural and Timeline Considerations:
The bill has passed the Senate and House and is currently awaiting final concurrence. If signed into law, the Restorative Justice Commission would be established within 3 months, and the new program requirements for correctional facilities would take effect within 12 months.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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