This bill requires federal employees and agents to obtain written permission from the county sheriff before making arrests, searches, or seizures in Montana, unless specific exceptions apply. The key provisions mandate that permission requests include details about the subject, probable cause, and location, while allowing sheriffs to refuse permission for any reason they consider sufficient. Exceptions exist for federal enclaves, immediate crime witnessing, certain statutory situations, arrests involving local officials, and cases where notification could compromise the operation. The law also gives sheriffs the discretion to opt out of these requirements entirely or apply them selectively to specific federal agencies or individuals.
This bill creates a new criminal offense called abortion trafficking in Montana, which prohibits individuals from transporting unborn children within or outside the state with the intent to obtain an illegal abortion. The law applies to anyone who knowingly moves a fetus for the purpose of ending a pregnancy that would be unlawful under Montana law, with penalties including fines up to $1,000 or up to five years in prison. The legislation also amends existing abortion-related penalties to clarify that mothers cannot be punished for the crime of abortion trafficking, while allowing penalties against them for other violations. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage and applies to any acts committed on or after that date.
This bill revises Montana's dangerous drug laws by updating penalties for criminal distribution and possession with intent to distribute. It directly affects individuals who sell, share, or possess drugs with the intent to distribute them. The bill establishes stricter sentencing guidelines, including enhanced penalties for distributing fentanyl and other synthetic opioids, distributing drugs to minors, or using firearms during drug crimes. It also allows judges to impose fines in addition to prison sentences for certain serious offenses. Medical practitioners and their supervised agents remain exempt from these provisions.
This bill removes the legal right for individuals convicted of a crime to sue for injuries or damages they sustain while committing that crime. It directly affects criminal defendants who might otherwise seek compensation for harm they suffered during the commission of their offense. Under the new law, such individuals cannot file civil lawsuits to recover damages related to their criminal acts. The provision is codified within Montana's existing civil liability statutes to ensure it becomes part of the state's permanent legal framework.
This bill requires all adults aged 21 and older to obtain a marijuana identification card before purchasing recreational marijuana or related products in Montana. To get the card, applicants must pay a $200 fee, provide proof of residency, and submit their personal information, with the card valid for one year and including a photo and unique identification number. The bill establishes a registry system where the state department must process applications within 30 days and maintain confidential records accessible only to authorized government agencies and law enforcement. It also requires cardholders to carry their identification card at all times and display it along with a valid photo ID when requested by law enforcement or judicial officials.
This bill amends Montana's assault laws to give victims the sole authority to decide whether criminal charges are filed, except in cases involving developmentally disabled, physically disabled, or mentally ill victims. Under the new provisions, most assault victims would control the decision to press charges rather than law enforcement or prosecutors. The bill does not change the definition of assault or the penalties for conviction, but it shifts the responsibility for initiating prosecution to the victim in most situations. This change directly affects individuals who experience assault and the legal process surrounding those cases.
This bill modifies Montana's criminal laws to allow strip searches for individuals who will be held in a jail or correctional facility for more than 12 hours. Currently, strip searches generally require reasonable suspicion that a person is concealing a weapon, contraband, or evidence, but this change creates an exception for those facing extended detention. The amendment applies to all persons arrested or detained for traffic offenses or non-felony crimes who meet the 12-hour housing threshold. Law enforcement officers would be authorized to conduct these searches without needing to demonstrate specific suspicion under the new provision.
This bill amends Montana law to restrict judges from granting bail to defendants who are on warrants issued by other jurisdictions. Under the new rules, judges can only admit defendants to bail if they are properly appearing before the court and are not subject to an out-of-state warrant. The legislation also clarifies that bail must be continued when a defendant is bound over to another court, with exceptions for those on external warrants. Additionally, the law maintains provisions allowing bail during appeals and permits virtual appearances through audio-video communication.
This bill proposes to increase penalties for a third driving under the influence offense in Montana by classifying it as a felony rather than a misdemeanor. The changes directly affect individuals convicted of their third DUI offense, raising the minimum jail time from 30 days to 60 days if a minor passenger was present, and increasing fines from $2,500 to $5,000 minimum. The legislation also maintains existing provisions that allow judges to suspend portions of sentences pending completion of chemical dependency treatment programs while prohibiting home arrest for mandatory minimum terms. Additionally, the bill preserves stricter penalties for cases involving prior felony DUI convictions or aggravated driving under the influence charges.
This bill creates a new criminal offense called human smuggling in Montana, targeting individuals who knowingly transport or harbor people who entered the United States illegally without federal inspection. Anyone convicted of this crime faces up to 20 years in state prison and fines of up to $400,000, while convicted organizations lose eligibility for certain tax exemptions. The law also allows authorities to seize and forfeit property used in human smuggling, including vehicles, money, and equipment, with proceeds from sales going to crime victims compensation funds. Additionally, the bill amends existing tax exemption laws to clarify how property is classified under current Montana statutes.
