Criminal Justice

introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 26, 2025

LC 3453: Generally revise criminal procedure law

This bill (LC 3453) requires Montana's Department of Justice, Department of Corrections, and Judicial Branch to collaborate by October 1, 2025, to determine the most efficient method for providing criminal history data of district court offenders (from the past five fiscal years and all future convictions) to the state's Criminal Justice Data Warehouse. If the agencies cannot reach agreement, the Department of Corrections must provide this data directly. The bill amends Section 44-7-126, MCA, to clarify data-sharing responsibilities, ensure offender names are linked to their records, and allocates $2,000 to each agency for the collaboration effort. It directly affects state criminal justice agencies and the centralized data system used for policy and operational decisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires interagency collaboration for efficient criminal history data sharing to Criminal Justice Data Warehouse, enhancing system coordination and oversight.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Apr 3, 2025

LC 3562: Interim study on the impact collateral consequences have on criminal record expungement

This joint resolution requests an interim study on how criminal record expungement affects Montanans' access to housing, employment, and other opportunities. The study will examine practical barriers like online background checks that still show expunged records, legal ambiguities around expunged histories, and discrimination in hiring/housing. It will analyze Montana's current expungement laws, compare them with other states, and evaluate how landlords and employers interpret expunged records. The committee must complete the study by September 2026 and report findings to the 70th Legislature as proposed legislation. This resolution does not change existing law but seeks to identify gaps for future policy action.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill studies barriers to expungement (housing/employment access), directly addressing criminal justice reform goals by examining systemic gaps in record clearance.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights

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died · Montana · Legislature May 20, 2025

LC 2916: House resolution supporting border patrol agents and urging the federal government to fully fund and support them

This is a symbolic House resolution (not a law) from Montana's 69th Legislature. It expresses support for U.S. Border Patrol agents on both the northern and southern borders, thanking them for their work and urging the federal government to fully fund border security operations. The resolution specifically calls for increased funding for staffing, equipment (like drones and barriers), and policies to strengthen border security - including ending "catch-and-release" programs, eliminating sanctuary city policies, and enforcing immigration laws. As a resolution, it has no legal force but serves as a formal statement of support and a request for federal action.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill urges federal funding for border security (law enforcement function), directly strengthening a key aspect of criminal justice through increased staffing and equipment funding.85% confidence

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died · Montana · Legislature May 20, 2025

LC 2220: Prohibiting warrantless surveillance in Montana by any law enforcement agency

Montana's LC 2220 would prohibit all law enforcement agencies (federal, state, and local) from monitoring people's movements, statements, or activities without a warrant or reasonable suspicion of a crime. It creates a new offense called "surveillance stalking" for officers who violate this rule, punishable by up to one year in prison or a $1,000 fine. The bill directly affects law enforcement practices and protects Montanans' privacy by requiring judicial oversight for surveillance. Key provisions mandate warrants or specific suspicion before monitoring, replacing current practices that allow warrantless surveillance. This bill aims to strengthen privacy rights through concrete legal standards.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProhibits warrantless surveillance requiring judicial oversight, enhancing police accountability and protecting civil rights in criminal justice.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill prohibits warrantless surveillance requiring judicial oversight, directly advancing data privacy protections by preventing unauthorized monitoring of digital activities.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence

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died · Montana · Legislature May 20, 2025

LC 1695: Resolution on penal exception clause

This Montana joint resolution (LC 1695) calls on Congress to amend the U.S. Constitution by removing the Thirteenth Amendment's exception that permits slavery and involuntary servitude as punishment for convicted crimes. It does not create new laws but urges federal action to eliminate this constitutional exception, which the resolution states conflicts with Montana's values. The resolution specifically requests Congress remove the phrase "except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted." Montana's legislature directs its delegation to receive copies of the resolution. This is a procedural resolution targeting federal constitutional change, not a state law affecting residents.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill seeks to remove Thirteenth Amendment exception permitting slavery as punishment for crime, aligning with criminal justice reform goals to eliminate forced labor in corrections.95% confidence

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died · Montana · Legislature May 23, 2025

LC 3870: Generally revise misdemeanor expungement laws

This bill (LC 3870) proposed changes to laws allowing individuals to clear certain misdemeanor convictions from their records. It aimed to revise eligibility criteria and procedures for expungement, directly affecting people with qualifying misdemeanor records who sought to remove these convictions. However, the bill never advanced beyond the drafting stage and was officially marked "Draft Died in Process" on May 23, 2025, meaning no concrete policy changes were enacted. The proposed revisions would have altered how courts handle expungement requests for specific misdemeanor offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill aimed to revise misdemeanor expungement laws, promoting criminal justice reform by easing record clearance for individuals, reducing barriers to reintegration and aligning with reform indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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died · Montana · Legislature May 26, 2025

LC 1573: Generally revise definitions related to partner or family member assault

LC 1573 aimed to update legal definitions related to assault involving partners or family members. The bill sought to clarify and modernize how such offenses are defined in state law, directly affecting victims, law enforcement, and courts handling domestic violence cases. Key provisions included revising specific terms to better reflect the context of intimate partner or familial abuse, ensuring consistent application of existing laws. This was a procedural change to definitions, not a new penalty or program. The bill was introduced in January 2025 but did not advance beyond the drafting stage, dying in process on May 26, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies domestic violence assault definitions for consistent legal application, supporting victim protection and court efficiency in criminal justice reform.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 1937: Generally revise laws relating to incarceration, relating to phone calls

This bill (LC 1937) proposed revising state laws related to incarceration, specifically addressing phone call regulations for inmates. It aimed to change how incarcerated individuals access and use telephone services within correctional facilities. However, the bill was drafted and then placed on hold before ultimately dying in the legislative process on May 27, 2025. No concrete policy changes were enacted, as the bill did not advance to a vote or become law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill revised inmate phone call access, promoting rehabilitation and family connections - key criminal justice reform indicators without restrictive language.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 1929: Generally revise criminal laws, including threats and/or cyberstalking of public officials

This bill (LC 1929) proposed updating criminal laws related to threats and cyberstalking directed at public officials. It aimed to revise specific provisions in the criminal code to strengthen protections for elected officials and government employees facing online harassment or threatening communications. The bill did not become law, as it died in committee on May 27, 2025, without advancing further. It would have directly affected public officials who experience threats or cyberstalking, potentially changing how such offenses are defined and prosecuted.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens protections for public officials against threats/cyberstalking, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of enhancing safety and accountability.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill targets cyberstalking of officials, strengthening legal protections against online harassment, enhancing cybersecurity for public figures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Online Safety

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 3447: Revising laws related to appointment of counsel

This bill (LC 3447) was a proposed revision to laws governing the appointment of legal counsel, but it never became law. The bill was drafted in December 2024, placed on hold in February 2025, and ultimately died in the legislative process in May 2025. No specific provisions or policy changes were enacted, as the bill did not advance beyond the drafting stage. The legislative process for this bill was terminated before it could be considered or voted on by the full body. As a result, no concrete policy changes were implemented under this bill.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill revises appointment of counsel in criminal procedure, supporting fair trials and defendant rights - a standard criminal justice reform measure.80% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Judges

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