Criminal Justice

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 84: Generally revise laws related to presentence investigations

SB 84 revises Montana's rules for presentence investigations, which are reports courts use to inform sentencing decisions. It requires courts to order these investigations after guilty pleas or convictions for most felonies (unless a recent report exists), sets a 30-day deadline for reports, and adds specific requirements: mental health evaluations for defendants claiming mental impairment at the time of offense, and psychosexual evaluations for certain sex offense convictions. The bill directly affects courts, probation officers, and defendants, particularly those with mental health considerations or sex offense convictions. It clarifies when investigations are mandatory, streamlines reporting timelines, and ensures key evaluations are included in sentencing considerations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds mental health/psychosexual evaluations to sentencing, promoting rehabilitation and informed judicial decisions per reform indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 491: Generally revise laws related to sexual assault kits

SB 491 creates a new Sexual Assault Medical Forensic Examination Fund to cover costs for sexual assault evidence collection. It shifts responsibility from local law enforcement agencies to this state fund, requiring the fund to provide free evidence kits to medical facilities, reimburse providers up to $800 per exam, and support a secure electronic system for claims. The fund will be primarily financed by redirecting $800,000 annually from the marijuana fund (starting July 2025) to cover these expenses. The bill also amends related laws to clarify payment responsibilities and establish the fund, though it died in committee on May 23, 2025, and is not currently law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates state fund to cover sexual assault evidence costs, removing financial barriers for medical facilities and shifting responsibility from local agencies, advancing victim services in criminal justice.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 370: Generally revise laws related to jury duty

SB 370 increases daily compensation for Montana jurors: $25-$60 per day for attending jury duty and an additional $25-$60 per day if selected for a specific case. It directly affects individuals summoned for jury service in criminal cases, providing higher pay than current rates. The bill establishes a funding mechanism where counties submit invoices to the Office of Court Administrator for reimbursement of these costs. This replaces the existing fee structure under Section 3-15-201, MCA, specifically for criminal trials or settlements requiring jury service.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases juror compensation for criminal cases, improving court operations and access to fair trials - key aspects of criminal justice reform.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 921: Constitutional amendment prohibiting distribution or receipt of child pornography

HB 921 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow Montana to prohibit and punish the distribution or receipt of child pornography violating federal laws, while creating a private right for individuals to sue violators. It directly affects Montana state and local governments (who could enforce these prohibitions) and any person harmed by such violations (who could file lawsuits). Key provisions include overriding conflicting state laws to enable state enforcement of federal child pornography statutes and granting courts authority to award injunctive relief and attorney fees in successful lawsuits. The amendment requires voter approval at the 2026 general election and would not change existing federal laws, merely enabling Montana to align its enforcement with federal standards.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens enforcement of child pornography laws via state action and private lawsuits, directly enhancing criminal justice protections for minors.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 289: Revise crime laws

HB 289 aimed to revise Montana's crime laws by expanding the definition of the offense of endangering the welfare of children. The bill sought to include situations where a child is exposed to the production, manufacture, or direct presence of fentanyl, heroin, or cocaine. This would apply to individuals who knowingly engage in these activities in locations where children might reasonably be present. Violations under this specific provision would be classified as a felony, carrying potential penalties of imprisonment, fines, or both.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by classifying drug exposure near children as felony, increasing penalties under crime laws.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 691: Provide for legislative intent regarding the Montana criminal justice data warehouse

HB 691 clarifies the purpose and requirements for Montana's existing criminal justice data warehouse, which collects and stores information from state and local agencies. The bill specifies that the warehouse must include detailed offender data - such as complete criminal histories, sentencing timelines, drug involvement in offenses, and pretrial release outcomes - to help officials make data-driven decisions about the justice system. State agencies, courts, and other entities are required to contribute data to the warehouse while retaining ownership of their information, with strict confidentiality protections outlined. This bill directly affects law enforcement, courts, and correctional agencies by standardizing how they share and use criminal justice data.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates detailed data collection in criminal justice warehouse for data-driven decisions, aligning with reform indicators like improved oversight and evidence-based policy.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 816: Generally revise DUI penalties

HB 816, titled "Generally revise DUI penalties," aims to update laws related to Driving Under the Influence. The bill proposes to increase penalties for DUI offenses, directly affecting individuals convicted of these crimes. It also includes amendments to the definition of "misdemeanor" and other general definitions within the Montana Code Annotated.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases DUI penalties, aligning with indicators of restricting criminal justice reform by harshening sentencing without reform elements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 912: Generally revise behavioral health laws to create a secure forensic facility

HB 912 proposes creating a new secure forensic facility in Montana, overseen by the Department of Public Health and Human Services. This facility would provide care, treatment, and security for up to 70 individuals involved in the legal system due to mental illness, including those needing competency restoration or forensic evaluations. The bill allocates $60 million from the Behavioral Health System for Future Generations Fund to plan, construct, and equip this facility, while also expanding the fund's uses to support new behavioral health infrastructure.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates secure forensic facility for mental health treatment in legal system, advancing rehabilitation and competency restoration within criminal justice framework.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $60M from behavioral health fund to create facility providing mental health care/treatment for forensic patients, directly advancing mental health services under healthcare topic.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 460: Amending the constitution to provide for electors of a county to call a grand jury

HB 460 proposed a constitutional amendment in Montana to allow citizens in any county to call for a grand jury. Currently, grand juries are impaneled at the discretion of a district judge. The bill would have required a grand jury to be summoned if a petition signed by a specific percentage of registered electors in a county was submitted. It also mandated that county attorneys prosecute indictments from these citizen-initiated grand juries and allowed the grand jury to seek assistance from the Attorney General or hire a private prosecutor if necessary.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases public oversight by enabling citizen petitions to initiate grand juries, promoting transparency in court processes - a key aspect of criminal justice reform.80% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 542: Revise DUI offense penalties for third offense to be a felony

House Bill 542 aims to revise the penalties for individuals convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) offenses. It increases the minimum imprisonment terms for first convictions from 24 to 72 consecutive hours, and for second convictions from 7 to 30 days. While the bill's title indicates an intent to reclassify a third DUI offense as a felony, the provided text

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases DUI penalties (72h jail for first, 30d for second, third offense as felony), directly increasing mandatory sentences which opposes criminal justice reform trends.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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