The Montana House on Friday endorsed, for a second time, a bill to compensate those imprisoned for crimes they didn’t commit – but, in an amended form that imposes more restrictions on those seeking payment.
Rep. Kathy Kelker, D-Billings and the sponsor of House Bill 92, said the changes do “a thorough job of protecting the state” from paying more than it should, but that the essence of the bill remains.
“It’s a pathway for (those wrongly imprisoned) to get compensation,” she said. “And, it protects the state from having to pay much larger settlements.”
The House voted 88-12 to advance the bill, setting up a final vote Saturday before the measure advances to the Senate.