Generally revise laws relating to criminal acts
HB 702 creates a new crime for operating drones over Montana correctional facilities without permission, punishable by 1-5 years in prison. It revises assault laws to specifically include intentionally making bodily fluid contact with correctional staff, healthcare providers, or emergency responders during arrests, incarceration, or transport. The bill also updates rules for possessing or transferring prohibited items (like cellphones, drugs, or weapons) into prisons, with harsher penalties for weapons (up to 20 years) and drugs (up to 10 years), while adding clarity about notice requirements for minor contraband. These changes directly affect prison staff, inmates, visitors, and anyone near correctional facilities.
Bill status
died
3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Feb 24, 2025
Last action May 22, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
LC3564.pdf
→
HB0702_1.pdf
·
3 edits
MINOR
The bill was renumbered from LC 3564 to HB 702.1 and the sponsor was added. The most significant substantive change is the addition of a new definition for 'arrest warrant' to clarify legal terminology. Minor formatting adjustments were made to section headers and numbering.
DEFINITION
Added a new definition for 'arrest warrant' to clarify that it is a written court order directed to a peace officer or other official.
TECHNICAL
Updated the bill title from LC 3564 to HB 702.1 and added the primary sponsor's name.
Adjusted section numbering and formatting, including merging subsections (b) and (c) into a single line.
Floor votes · House Mar 5, 2025
How they voted
62–36
Passed · 2 other
Total votes 100
Mar 5, 2025
D
Democratic42
85% Nay
R
Republican58
98% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
34
Key actions
5
Committee
7
Amendments
1
Apr 9, 2025
Amended
(S) Tabled in Committee - (S) Judiciary
upper
Mar 6, 2025
Committee
(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Judiciary
upper
Mar 5, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (62-36-2)
house
Mar 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Report - (H) Appropriations
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Appropriations
lower
Mar 4, 2025
Committee
(H) Rereferred to Committee - (H) Appropriations
lower
Mar 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Report - (H) Judiciary
lower
Mar 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Judiciary
lower
Feb 25, 2025
Committee
(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Judiciary
lower
Feb 24, 2025
Introduced
(H) Introduced
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Kerri Seekins-Crowe
RRepublican
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