This bill creates a new criminal offense for assaulting employees of public utilities in Montana, covering acts that cause bodily injury, create reasonable fear of serious injury through weapons, or result in serious bodily injury. The law directly affects individuals who attack utility workers and establishes specific prison terms and fines based on the severity of the assault, with penalties ranging from up to 10 years in prison and $50,000 in fines for lesser offenses to up to 20 years and the same fine for causing serious bodily injury. By defining these actions as distinct crimes with enhanced penalties, the legislation aims to provide clearer legal consequences for violence against utility workers without changing how other assault cases are handled.
HB 104 expands the investigative authority of agents appointed by Montana's Attorney General. It adds human trafficking, prostitution, and internet crimes against children to the list of offenses these agents can investigate concurrently with local law enforcement. The bill specifically defines "internet crimes against children" to include offenses like sexual assault, child sex trafficking, and other technology-facilitated crimes against minors. This change directly affects Attorney General-appointed agents, clarifying their jurisdiction without creating new penalties or funding. The bill amends Section 44-2-115 of Montana Code Annotated.
SB 383 amends Montana law to prevent victims of partner or family member assault from being charged with assault themselves. The bill specifically adds Section 1(9) to Section 45-5-206, MCA, stating: "A victim may not be charged with partner or family member assault." This directly affects domestic violence victims who may have been prosecuted for defending themselves against abusers. The key mechanism is a clear legal prohibition on charging victims, ensuring only the abuser can face criminal charges in such incidents. The bill does not change penalties for offenders or other provisions like mandatory counseling.
SB 280 revises the grant requirements for Montana's domestic violence intervention program. The bill allows the Montana Board of Crime Control to provide grants to communities. These grants are specifically for funding probation or compliance officers who monitor individuals charged with or convicted of certain domestic violence offenses, such as partner or family member assault, strangulation, or protection order violations, to ensure they follow court-ordered requirements. The legislation also continues to allow grants for courts to implement offender intervention programs.
SB 537 revises Montana's marijuana tax revenue distribution, directing funds from the marijuana state special revenue account to new and existing state accounts. It requires transferring excess funds annually to specific accounts, including 12% to the HEART account for addiction treatment and mental health programs, 20% to wildlife habitat projects, and 14% to behavioral health initiatives. The bill also allocates funds for law enforcement canine training, sexual assault evidence kits, and homeless shelter support, while modifying existing transfer rules for agencies like the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. These changes apply to all state agencies receiving marijuana tax revenue under Montana law.
SB 273 would have changed Montana's assault law by giving victims (with specific exceptions for developmentally, physically, or mentally disabled individuals) the sole authority to decide whether to file assault charges. The bill amended Montana Code Annotated § 45-5-201 to state that victims - not prosecutors - determine if charges proceed for most assault cases. This would have shifted the decision-making power from law enforcement to the victim in non-exempt cases. The bill was referred to the Judiciary Committee, heard, tabled, and ultimately died in process on May 23, 2025, without becoming law.
SB 127, introduced in Montana, would have allowed individuals to defend themselves against serious crimes like assault, robbery, or kidnapping using reasonable force without facing legal jeopardy. The key provision required prosecutors to reimburse defendants for attorney fees and out-of-pocket costs if they successfully defended themselves in court and were not convicted of the specific charge. This reimbursement would come from the prosecutor’s budget, not the defendant, but only for cases where the self-defense argument succeeded. The bill died in the legislative process after failing its third reading in March 2025 and did not become law.
This bill revises how Montana allocates marijuana tax revenue, directing funds to specific state accounts after covering department operating costs. It requires 10% of excess funds to support addiction treatment programs (HEART account), 20% for wildlife habitat projects, 4% each to state parks/trails, and 31% for law enforcement grants to local police departments. Additional allocations include $300,000 for drug detection canines (ending 2025), 1.5% for sexual assault evidence kits, and 0.25% to homeless shelter support. These changes amend existing tax distribution rules under Montana law, affecting state agencies including wildlife, public health, and law enforcement. The bill does not change marijuana taxation rates but specifies new spending priorities for existing revenue.
This bill requires offenders convicted of partner or family member assault (including domestic violence) to complete a minimum of 40 hours of court-approved counseling focused on violent or controlling behavior. The counseling must be provided by a licensed professional, a qualified specialist, or a specialized domestic violence program meeting specific standards. Offenders must follow all recommendations from the counseling provider, and the court or Department of Corrections must approve all providers. This applies to all convictions under Montana's partner/family assault laws, including out-of-state domestic violence offenses, and is added to existing sentencing penalties.
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.
