Signed by Governor Greg Gianforte

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to override a governors veto and pass a bill that authorizes redress for wrongfully convicted individuals.

Highlights:

• Establishes new procedures to allow an individual (claimant) who has been wrongfully convicted to argue their innocence by making their case before a jury in the district court that originally convicted them (Sec. 2-7).

• Specifies that if the claimant is exonerated, they would be entitled to (Sec. 2-7

• $60,000 for each year they were in prison, and $25,000 for each additional year they were on parole or probation, including reimbursement for attorney fees and trial costs;

• one year of state-funded health insurance and 2 years of tuition assistance that could be used on any campus in the Montana University System; and

• A certificate of innocence and having their records pertaining to conviction and arrest expunged.

• Defines “claimant” as an individual who (Sec. 1):

• Was convicted and subsequently imprisoned for one or more felony crimes that they did not commit; or

• Is not currently serving a term of imprisonment but meets the aforementioned requirements.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to override a governor's veto and pass a bill that authorizes redress for wrongfully convicted individuals.

Highlights:

• Establishes new procedures to allow an individual (claimant) who has been wrongfully convicted to argue their innocence by making their case before a jury in the district court that originally convicted them (Sec. 2-7).

• Specifies that if the claimant is exonerated, they would be entitled to (Sec. 2-7

• $60,000 for each year they were in prison, and $25,000 for each additional year they were on parole or probation, including reimbursement for attorney fees and trial costs;

• one year of state-funded health insurance and 2 years of tuition assistance that could be used on any campus in the Montana University System; and

• A certificate of innocence and having their records pertaining to conviction and arrest expunged.

• Defines “claimant” as an individual who (Sec. 1):

• Was convicted and subsequently imprisoned for one or more felony crimes that they did not commit; or

• Is not currently serving a term of imprisonment but meets the aforementioned requirements.

Full Bill Text

Vetoed by Governor Greg Gianforte