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Montana committee reopens debate on wrongful-conviction compensation program after years of revisions
Summary
Representative Carrie Seekins Crowe, sponsor of HB 93, told the Senate Judiciary Committee the proposal to create a compensation and transition program for people whose convictions were vacated or who later were acquitted is the product of six years of interim study and compromise, and urged the committee to pass the revised bill.
Representative Carrie Seekins Crowe, sponsor of House Bill 93, told the Senate Judiciary Committee the measure is the product of six years of study and compromise intended to compensate people wrongfully convicted and to provide post-release transition assistance. "This is the third version of this bill you've seen over the last 3 sessions," she said, and urged members to "vote green."
The Montana Innocence Project and other proponents said the state lacks a statutory compensation program and that exonerees frequently leave custody without housing, medical care or employment supports. SK Rossi, speaking for the Montana Innocence Project, described the measure as the culmination of a multi‑year interim study and emphasized broad stakeholder participation. "This is a good program. It's a result of 6 years of compromise and conversation," Rossi said. Amy Singh (Timber), also with the Innocence Project, told the…
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