Criminal Justice

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 14, 2025

LC 2432: Revise crime laws

This bill amends Montana's child welfare laws to explicitly include exposing children to the production or manufacture of fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine as a crime. It directly affects parents, guardians, and other individuals supervising children under 18 by expanding the legal definition of endangering a child's welfare. The key provision makes it a felony offense punishable by up to five years in state prison for knowingly producing these drugs in locations where children might be present or allowing children to be exposed to them. The bill also increases penalties to up to ten years in prison if a child suffers serious bodily injury from such exposure.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands criminal penalties for drug exposure to children, strengthening law enforcement tools and protecting vulnerable populations through enhanced criminal justice measures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 11, 2025

LC 131: Generally revise laws for crime victims

This bill revises Montana laws to extend the time limits for filing lawsuits related to childhood sexual abuse. It directly affects victims of sexual abuse who occurred before they turned 18, allowing them to file claims against the individual who committed the abuse at any time before they turn 27 or within three years of discovering the injury. For claims against organizations like schools or churches, victims have until age 27 or three years after discovery to file, with specific rules for when the organization knew or should have known about the abuse. The bill also allows certain expired claims to be filed within one year of May 7, 2019, if the perpetrator admitted to the abuse or was convicted of the offense.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill extends statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse victims, strengthening access to justice and victim rights within criminal justice framework90% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 23, 2025

LC 3564: Generally revise laws relating to criminal acts

This bill revises Montana's criminal laws by adding a new offense for operating unauthorized drones near correctional facilities and clarifying penalties for assaults involving bodily fluids. It also updates laws regarding the possession and transfer of illegal items like cellphones and drugs to incarcerated individuals, as well as unauthorized communications with detained persons. The legislation defines key terms such as "bodily fluid" and "emergency responder" to ensure consistent application of these rules across law enforcement and healthcare settings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens corrections by clarifying penalties for assaults involving bodily fluids and updating rules on contraband and communications in detention facilities, enhancing security and accountability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 18, 2025

LC 3439: Generally revise laws related to restitution

This bill revises Montana laws related to restitution, primarily affecting courts, probation officers, and offenders who have been ordered to pay restitution to victims. It removes an offender's financial resources from consideration when sentencing restitution amounts, ensures that information about a victim's pecuniary loss or property loss can be shared with a probation officer outside of a court order, and modifies when a court may grant a petition to revise restitution orders. The legislation aims to clarify legislative intent from 2003 by ensuring restitution amounts are determined based on victim losses rather than an offender's ability to pay, and it updates related statutes to reflect these changes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens restitution laws to better compensate victims, improving victim support and accountability in criminal justice system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing Victims' Rights

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Dec 30, 2024

LC 2712: Revise electronic license privacy law

This bill amends Montana's electronic license privacy law to clarify that showing an electronic driver's license on a device does not allow police to search the device. The change directly affects drivers who use digital licenses and law enforcement officers who may request access to a phone during traffic stops. By explicitly stating that displaying the license is not consent to search, the legislation protects the privacy of data stored on personal electronic devices. This update ensures that law enforcement must still obtain proper legal authority before accessing a driver's phone beyond the license display itself.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects civil rights by limiting police search authority during traffic stops, enhancing accountability and privacy in criminal justice interactions.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects digital privacy by clarifying that displaying an e-license doesn't consent to device searches, strengthening consumer data rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Data Privacy

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Dec 20, 2024

LC 1533: Provide for evaluations of defendants in detention centers or state prisons

This bill allows mental fitness examinations for criminal defendants to be conducted at detention centers or state prisons, provided these facilities meet specific health and safety requirements. It requires the Department of Public Health and Human Services to create rules governing how these facilities must handle defendants during evaluations, including provisions for segregation, care, security, and remote examination options. The legislation also amends existing laws to clarify that detention centers must adopt policies permitting these evaluations and establishes guidelines for who pays for the examinations based on who requested them.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill improves mental health evaluations for defendants, enhancing due process and protecting civil rights within criminal justice system.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes mental fitness examination protocols at detention facilities, improving access to mental health services and protecting patient rights through regulated care standards.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 13, 2025

LC 1643: Establish an interim committee to investigate civil rights violations and censorship within the MUS

This bill creates a temporary committee to investigate civil rights violations and censorship at Montana's public universities and colleges. The six-member committee, composed of state legislators from both parties, will gather testimony from students and submit findings and recommendations to federal and state officials. The committee is authorized to meet no more than three times and must complete its work by September 15, 2026, with $13,500 appropriated for member expenses. The legislation includes provisions for member appointments, staff assistance, and specifies that the act becomes void if the funding is not approved.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill investigates civil rights violations which aligns with protecting civil rights and enhancing accountability in institutional settings.75% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates committee to investigate civil rights violations and censorship in higher education, protecting academic freedom and student rights75% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 18, 2025

LC 856: Revise qualifications for teachers of adult basic education or high school equivalency programs at state correctional institutions

This bill establishes a Montana Correctional Education Program within the Department of Corrections to provide inmates with opportunities to earn high school equivalency diplomas and participate in adult basic education. It sets specific qualifications for instructors, requiring them to be at least 18 years old, of good moral character, and hold either an associate or bachelor's degree, a valid teaching certificate from another state, or prior teaching or military training experience. The legislation explicitly states that instructors do not need to hold a Montana teaching certificate, while allowing the Department of Corrections to create policies determining inmate eligibility for the program.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes correctional education program to provide inmates with education opportunities, which promotes rehabilitation and reduces recidivism.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes correctional education program to provide inmates with high school equivalency and adult basic education opportunities, expanding educational access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections K-12 Education

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Dec 4, 2024

LC 318: Establish compensation for wrongful conviction

This bill establishes a compensation program for individuals in Montana who have been wrongfully convicted of felony crimes and subsequently exonerated. It allows eligible claimants to file a civil lawsuit against the state or county of conviction within three years of exoneration, requiring proof by a preponderance of the evidence that they did not commit the crime. The legislation includes a $5,000 transition assistance grant for those who file claims, but requires reimbursement if the claim is denied, and mandates that claimants waive other legal remedies in exchange for potential compensation. Additionally, the bill provides for expungement of convictions and creates a state special revenue account to fund damages, costs, and attorney fees, while excluding compensation for crimes that are now legal.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes compensation for wrongful convictions, protecting civil rights and promoting criminal justice reform by addressing systemic failures.95% confidence

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 28, 2025

LC 3018: Revise criminal laws related to DUI

This bill proposes to add a new type of driving under the influence offense in Montana for drivers who have certain prohibited substances other than alcohol or marijuana in their blood or body. It would amend existing criminal laws to allow prosecutors to charge drivers with DUI even when the substance detected is not alcohol or marijuana, provided it meets specific concentration thresholds. The legislation also updates related sections of the Montana Code Annotated to clarify how evidence of drug presence is used in DUI cases and defines what counts as being under the influence. Additionally, the bill modifies rules around driver rehabilitation programs, allowing some individuals with suspended or revoked licenses to participate in these programs and potentially receive restricted probationary licenses if they complete the required training.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands DUI laws to include other substances, strengthening public safety and law enforcement authority in criminal justice system85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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