North DakotaNorth Dakota law sets minimum prison terms for trafficking felonies
The law requires courts to sentence people convicted of covered human trafficking felonies to minimum prison terms they must serve without parole.
What it does
For human trafficking felonies, courts must impose at least 20 years in prison for class AA, 10 years for class A, and five years for class B. People must serve those minimum terms without parole.
Argument forMinimum prison terms without parole could keep people convicted of trafficking felonies from harming others outside prison during those years.
Argument againstRequired prison terms could prevent judges from choosing shorter sentences based on a person’s role or the circumstances of the crime.
More detail
Courts must impose minimum prison terms based on the felony class. The requirements cover class AA, class A, and class B felony violations of North Dakota’s human trafficking chapter. These classes are legal categories of crimes. People must serve the required minimum term without parole, meaning supervised early release from prison.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2025
- Apr 24Filed with Secretary Of State 04/22Latest
- Apr 23Signed by Governor Kelly Armstrong 04/21Became Law
- Apr 21Sent to GovernorTo Governor
- Apr 21Signed by Speaker
- Apr 17Signed by President
- Apr 15Second reading, passed, yeas 87 nays 4Major
- Vote recorded Motion for Final Passage on HB 1361. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 15Concurred
- Apr 2Returned to House (12)
- Apr 1Second reading, passed as amended, yeas 45 nays 1Passed Senate
- Vote recorded Motion for Final Passage on HB 1361. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 28Amendment adopted, placed on calendar
- Mar 27Reported back amended, do pass, amendment placed on calendar 7 0 0Minor
- Mar 18Committee Hearing 02:30
- Feb 13Introduced, first reading, referred Judiciary CommitteeMinor
- Jan 31Received from House
- Jan 30Second reading, passed, yeas 70 nays 23Passed House
- Vote recorded Motion for Final Passage on HB 1361. Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 28Reported back, do pass, place on calendar 6 5 3Minor
- Jan 20Committee Hearing 09:30
- Jan 13Introduced, first reading, referred Judiciary CommitteeIntroduced
Criminal Justice