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HB 93

Establish compensation for wrongful conviction

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Kerri Seekins-Crowe

Montana bill establishing state compensation system for wrongfully convicted individuals who are later exonerated, died in legislative process in 2025.

(H) Died in Process
#crimes #courts #criminalprocedure #localgovernment
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Bill Summary · HB 93

Legislative bill overview

HB 93 would establish a compensation system for individuals in Montana who are exonerated after wrongful conviction. The bill creates a legal mechanism for these individuals to receive financial restitution for the years spent incarcerated and the damages to their lives. This represents Montana's attempt to address a gap in state law regarding remedies for miscarriages of justice.

Why is this important

Wrongfully convicted individuals face severe consequences including lost income, psychological trauma, damaged relationships, and reintegration challenges upon release. Without statutory compensation, these victims of the justice system have limited recourse and must pursue costly civil litigation. This bill would provide a streamlined, predictable path to compensation funded by the state.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and fiscal impact: Determining appropriate compensation amounts and identifying which state budget sources would fund these payments
  • Eligibility standards: Defining what level of exoneration evidence qualifies (DNA evidence only vs. broader grounds) and who decides eligibility
  • Retroactivity: Whether the law applies only to future cases or includes historically wrongfully convicted individuals still living

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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