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.
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.
This bill (LC 2832) proposed prohibiting the "panic defense" in criminal trials, meaning defendants could no longer claim they committed a crime due to sudden panic or fear. It would have directly affected criminal defendants in cases where this defense was previously raised. The bill was drafted in late 2024 but died in the legislative process in May 2025, never becoming law. As a procedural bill that failed to advance, it did not change any legal standards.
This bill (LC 3187) aimed to establish mandatory minimum sentencing requirements for certain child trafficking offenses under existing state laws. It would have required judges to impose specific minimum prison terms for convicted offenders, directly affecting individuals charged with severe child trafficking violations. The bill was drafted but never advanced beyond the initial stages, with its status listed as "Draft Died in Process" on May 27, 2025. No provisions were enacted or implemented.
This bill (LC 3029) aimed to revise misdemeanor expungement laws but died in the legislative process in May 2025. It did not advance beyond the drafting stage, so no specific provisions or affected groups can be described from the available context. The title indicates it sought to change how misdemeanor criminal records could be cleared, but no concrete details of the proposed changes were provided in the record. As a dead bill with no enacted provisions, it had no effect on policy or individuals.
This resolution from the Montana House of Representatives urges specific actions regarding Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis police officer. It calls on President Donald J. Trump to grant a full pardon for Chauvin's federal convictions and Governor Tim Walz of Minnesota to grant a full pardon for his state convictions. Additionally, the resolution urges the City of Minneapolis to demand the return of the $27 million settlement paid to George Floyd's family. Finally, it requests that Congress and the Minnesota Legislature initiate investigations into the handling of Derek Chauvin's prosecutions.
HB 116 aimed to allow attorneys, particularly public defenders, to appear remotely in court proceedings. The bill would have required all courts to establish a consistent process for these remote appearances. Public defenders would have been permitted to appear remotely for "nonsubstantive hearings," such as arraignments or bond hearings, where the case's final outcome isn't decided. However, a court could still order an attorney to appear in person if there was "good cause," such as a lack of technological resources, and provided advance notice.
HB 575 revises the circumstances under which a public defender may be assigned in court proceedings. It specifically authorizes courts to assign a public defender to a parent facing involuntary termination of their parental rights. The bill also allows courts to order a public defender to serve as a member of a treatment court team. These changes expand the scope of public defender services to include these specific situations.
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.
This bill revises laws concerning the reporting and tracking of child sexual abuse and exploitation cases. It requires county attorneys to gather all investigative materials, request assistance from the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) to identify alleged perpetrators when needed, and certify receipt of reports. County attorneys must also report detailed case statuses, including the number of reports not prosecuted, to the Attorney General twice yearly. The Attorney General is then mandated to aggregate this information and report it to specific legislative committees, while DPHHS must advise the Attorney General on uncharged cases it believes warrant prosecution.
