Bill
HB 1347
Establishes district court supervised treatment programs with clear roles: DOCR handles supervision, DHHS oversees treatment, and the district court coordinates all aspects.
Title: AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 27‑05 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to district court supervised treatment programs approved by the supreme court.
Status and timeline
- Introduced: November 15, 2024.
- Passed both chambers (House vote: 89–0; Senate vote: 45–1).
- Filed with the Secretary of State: March 27, 2025. (Noted as Act No. 363 in legislative notifications.)
Purpose
- To codify and clarify the roles and responsibilities of state agencies and the district court when operating “district court supervised treatment programs” that are approved by the North Dakota Supreme Court. The intent is to define institutional responsibilities for supervision, treatment oversight, and judicial coordination in these specialized dockets.
Key provisions (new section to NDCC chapter 27‑05)
- Establishes three primary roles under a district court supervised treatment program:
1. Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (DOCR): responsible for supervising offenders who are sentenced to supervised probation, in accordance with DOCR policies and procedures.
2. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS): responsible for overseeing treatment services provided under the program, following DHHS policies, procedures, and recognized best practices.
3. District court: responsible for providing judicial direction, guidance, and coordination for all approved treatment and compliance‑related specialized dockets.
Scope and limits
- Applies specifically to district court supervised treatment programs that have been approved by the North Dakota Supreme Court.
- The text focuses on delineating responsibilities; it does not create new sentencing authority, define program eligibility, or prescribe specific treatment modalities.
Who is affected
- Offenders placed on supervised probation within approved treatment dockets.
- DOCR and DHHS operational units that deliver supervision and treatment.
- District courts operating or managing specialized treatment and compliance dockets.
- Treatment providers and probation officers working within these programs.
Potential impacts and implementation notes
- Clarifies interagency responsibilities, which should improve coordination among corrections, public‑health treatment providers, and the judiciary.
- Does not specify new funding or create detailed operational procedures; agencies will implement under their existing policies and may adopt protocols or MOUs to operationalize coordination.
- Practical effects will depend on subsequent agency guidance, court procedures, and any local memoranda of understanding developed among the parties.
Sponsors
- House sponsors: Representatives Satrom, Ostlie.
- Senate sponsors: Senators Conley, Dwyer.
For more detail
- The enacted text is a brief, three‑part statutory addition; consult chapter 27‑05 of the North Dakota Century Code (new section) or the enrolled act (Act 363) for the exact statutory language.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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