The state Legislature last week passed a resolution to examine how it might set up monetary compensation to support those wrongfully incarcerated upon their release.
House Joint resolution 36, which passed through the Senate on Thursday following a 34-16 vote, requests an interim study for appropriate compensation for the wrongfully convicted. The results of the study will be presented to lawmakers at the 2021 Legislature.
Frank Knaack, executive director of the Montana Innocence Project, said Friday the bill is a huge step for Montana — the only state of 33 that have victim compensation statutes that doesn’t provide financial support after release.