Montana State Legislature
Criminal Justice Oversight Council
Next Scheduled Meeting:
June 28
8:00 a.m.
State Capitol and Zoom
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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 section 53-1-216, MCA.
List of 2021-2022 Members of the Council
Committee Members
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/Visual
October 27, 2021: Agenda - Summary Minutes - Audio/Visual
September 29, 2021: Agenda - Summary Minutes - Audio/Visual
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.
Assigned Study
- HJ 34: Interim study of pretrial diversion and presentence diversion agreements
The statutory duties of the CJOC are outlined in 53-1-2016 MCA. The Legislative Services Division provides staff support to the CJOC.
The Criminal Justice Oversight Council may request legislation through the Law and Justice Interim Committee.
- 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.
- CJOC 6: Develops pre-sentence diversion programs in Montana. (First draft forthcoming.)
Administrative Materials
Operating Rules and Procedures , adopted by the council on September 29, 2021
Work Matrix , adopted by the council on January 18, 2021
Presiding Officers
Chair - Rep. Barry Usher
Vice Chair - Mr. Jimmy Patelis