Montana State Legislature
Criminal Justice Oversight Council
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For more information or questions about the Council, please contact Milly Allen, Legislative Services Division, (406) 444-9280.
The Legislature established the Criminal Justice Oversight Council in 2017 to oversee implementation of criminal justice legislation, including justice reinvestment, in Montana.
The Criminal Justice Oversight Council is a bipartisan, interbranch body. Membership includes legislators, Department of Corrections leadership, and criminal justice stakeholders appointed by the Montana Supreme Court, the Attorney General, and the Governor. The Council's membership is provided in 53-1-216, MCA.
List of 2021-2022 Members of the Council
Committee Members
March 6, 2023: Agenda- Summary Minutes - Audio/ Video
November 15, 2022: Agenda- Summary Minutes- Audio/Video
August 30, 2022: Agenda - Summary Minutes - Audio/Video
June 28, 2022: Agenda- Summary Minutes - Audio/Video
May 11, 2022: Agenda- Summary Minutes - Audio/Video
March 23, 2022: Agenda- Summary Minutes - Audio/Video
January 18, 2022: Agenda - Summary Minutes - Audio/Video
October 27, 2021: Agenda - Summary Minutes - Audio/Video
September 29, 2021: Agenda - Summary Minutes - Audio/Video
Please see the meeting information page for handouts, slides, and other council materials.
The Criminal Justice Oversight Council is tasked with studying and overseeing criminal justice reform, including justice reinvestment, in Montana. It may be assigned legislative studies.
HJ 34 - Study of Pretrial Diversion in Montana
For the 2021-2022 Interim Session, the Criminal Justice Oversight Council was assigned HJ 34, an interim study of pretrial diversion and presentence agreements. The council completed the study at its June 28, 2022 meeting. Study materials and meeting audio/visual recordings are linked in the study summary.
The statutory duties of the CJOC are outlined in 53-1-2016 MCA. The Legislative Services Division provides staff support to the CJOC.
Procedure
The Criminal Justice Oversight Council may request legislation through the Law and Justice Interim Committee, using the process established in legislative rules for executive agencies (53-1-216, MCA).
Status of Council Legislation
At its meeting on August 30, the council adopted the language in CJOC 2.2, CJOC 3.2, and CJOC 4.
The council will discuss additional drafts of CJOC 1, CJOC 5, and CJOC 6 on November 15.
Draft legislation reviewed on August 30, 2022
A ".2" in a bill number indicates a second draft that incorporates feedback from the June 28, 2022 meeting.
- CJOC 1.2 : Revises sentencing laws for theft and thematically-related crimes.
- CJOC 2.2 : Addresses matters regarding recovery residences, also known as sober living homes.
- CJOC 3.2 : Creates a separate definition for persistent felony offender under supervision.
- CJOC 4 : Revises sentencing laws for disorderly conduct.
- CJOC 5.2 : Makes theft of a motor vehicle assessed at any value a felony.
- CJOC 6 : Creates diversion agreement program for certain drug offenses.
- Decision Points : a document listing draft legislation decision points for the council and highlighting pertinent statutes.
Draft legislation reviewed on June 28, 2022
- CJOC 1 : Revises sentencing laws for theft and thematically-related crimes.
- CJOC 2 : Addresses matters regarding recovery residences, also known as sober living homes.
- CJOC 3 : Creates a separate definition for persistent felony offender under supervision.
- CJOC 4 : Revises sentencing laws for disorderly conduct.
- CJOC 5 : Makes theft of a motor vehicle assessed at any value a felony.
- Decision Points : a document listing draft legislation decision points for the council.
Administrative Materials
Operating Rules and Procedures , adopted by the council on September 29, 2021
Work Matrix , adopted by the council on January 18, 2021
Criminal Justice Oversight Council Annual Report, 2021-2022
Presiding Officers
Chair - Rep. Barry Usher
Vice Chair - Mr. Jimmy Patelis