AN ACT to create and enact a new subsection to section 54-23.3-04 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to authorization for children of inmates to reside at the Heart River correctional center.
Summary
SB 2352 creates a new subsection in North Dakota Century Code section 54-23.3-04 to allow the Heart River correctional center to establish policies and procedures permitting a child of a female inmate to live at the facility with the inmate. The authorization applies only to children 18 months of age or younger and places the child under the care and general control of the mother while residing at the correctional center.
The bill requires the facility’s policies to address three main considerations: the residential safety of the child, the length of time the child may remain in the facility, and treatment or other penological interests. In practical terms, the measure gives the correctional center discretion to create a mother-child residence arrangement within a prison setting, subject to safety and correctional management standards.
Impact
The bill amends state law governing the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation by expressly authorizing a limited mother-infant residency program at Heart River correctional center. It does not mandate that all facilities adopt such a program, but it directs the creation of policies and procedures that would govern eligibility and conditions for infants of female inmates to reside with them. The affected parties include incarcerated mothers, infants under 18 months old, correctional administrators, and staff responsible for safety, custody, and treatment decisions.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have received mixed but ultimately sufficient support, passing both chambers by relatively narrow margins. The Senate approved it 28-18, and the House approved it 48-42, suggesting meaningful support but also substantial opposition. The lack of committee transcript material limits insight into detailed debate, but the vote totals indicate the proposal was considered significant and somewhat divisive rather than broadly consensus-driven.
Contention
The main points of contention likely centered on balancing child welfare and prison safety against correctional and penological concerns. Supporters would be expected to emphasize the benefits of allowing very young children to remain with their mothers, while opponents may have questioned whether a correctional facility is an appropriate environment for infants or raised concerns about security, staffing, and the scope of the program. The bill itself reflects this tension by requiring policies to consider residential safety, duration of stay, and treatment or other penological interests.
AN ACT to create and enact a new subsection to section 54-23.3-04 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to authorization for children of inmates to reside at the Heart River correctional center.
A BILL for an Act to create and enact a new subsection to section 54-23.3-04 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to authorization for children of inmates to reside at the Heart River correctional center; and to amend and reenact section 32-12.2-02 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to limitation of liability for children residing at the Heart River correctional center.
AN ACT to create and enact a new section to chapter 54-23.3 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to use of local jails or correctional facilities for inmates sentenced to the physical custody of the department of corrections and rehabilitation.
AN ACT to create and enact two new sections to chapter 54-44.4 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to purchases by state officials and employees and multiple award vendor pool contracts; and to amend and reenact subsection 6 of section 44-04-18.4, sections 54-44.4-01, 54-44.4-02, 54-44.4-05, subsection 1 of section 54-44.4-07, subsection 1 of section 54-44.4-09, sections 54-44.4-09.1, 54-44.4-12, 54-44.4-13, and 54-44.4-14 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to state purchasing practices.
AN ACT to amend and reenact subsections 2 and 6 of section 44-08-04, subsection 2 of section 54-03-20, and subsection 5 of section 54-06-09 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to authorized travel expense and lodging reimbursement rates.