Criminal Justice

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 6, 2025

LC 2087: Revise domestic violence intervention grant requirements

This bill updates how Montana funds domestic violence intervention programs by allowing the state Board of Crime Control to issue grants to communities for probation officers who monitor court-ordered requirements for offenders charged with partner or family member assault, strangulation, or violations of protection orders. It also permits grants to courts for implementing offender intervention programs that meet specific state standards. The legislation requires the board to set funding priorities, track how organizations spend the money, and evaluate the effectiveness of the services provided. These changes apply to community organizations and courts that receive state funding to support domestic violence prevention and offender compliance efforts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds domestic violence intervention programs and probation monitoring for offenders, strengthening criminal justice response to violence.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Probation & Parole Violent Crime

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Dec 5, 2024

LC 727: Generally revise laws related to child abuse and neglect investigations

This bill requires that child protection specialists, peace officers, or county attorneys obtain a court warrant before removing a child from their home, except in cases of imminent risk of sexual or physical abuse where waiting for a warrant would be too dangerous. The law mandates that an abuse and neglect petition be filed within 72 hours after an emergency removal, and warrants must be executed within 10 days of issuance. Additionally, the bill establishes a voluntary registry to notify close relatives when a child is removed from their home and updates state policy to emphasize that forced removal should only occur when there is reasonable cause to suspect imminent harm.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances child protection oversight by requiring warrants for removals and establishing accountability timelines, strengthening judicial process and law enforcement accountability in child abuse cases.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Tags Children

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 25, 2025

LC 1830: Revise temporary investigative authority of department of health and human services in child abuse and neglect cases

This bill amends Montana law to clarify that the Department of Public Health and Human Services cannot remove children from their homes while exercising temporary investigative authority in child abuse or neglect cases. The legislation limits temporary investigative orders to a maximum of 90 days and requires the department to seek separate emergency protective services court orders if child removal becomes necessary. This change ensures that investigations into suspected abuse or neglect do not automatically result in taking children into custody, separating the investigative process from removal decisions. The bill directly affects child welfare workers, legal professionals, and families involved in child protection proceedings by defining the scope of temporary court orders more clearly.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens child protection by clarifying investigative authority limits and requiring court oversight for removals, enhancing due process in juvenile cases.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 17, 2025

LC 2314: Revise DUI laws to include controlled substances

This bill updates Montana's driving under the influence laws to explicitly include driving while impaired by controlled substances alongside alcohol. It directly affects all drivers in the state by expanding the definition of DUI to cover situations where a person is under the influence of alcohol and a controlled substance, as well as establishing specific THC blood concentration thresholds for marijuana impairment. The legislation creates new legal inferences for courts to use during trials, allowing blood alcohol levels of 0.08 or higher to be considered evidence of impairment, while maintaining the ability to present other evidence. Penalties for violations include fines ranging from $600 to $10,000 and jail time from 24 hours to one year, with stricter consequences for repeat offenders and those transporting passengers under 16.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens DUI laws by expanding controlled substance coverage, enhancing public safety and law enforcement effectiveness in criminal justice system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 25, 2025

LC 1984: Generally revise laws related to sexual assault kits

This bill revises Montana laws regarding payment for sexual assault medical forensic examinations by establishing a dedicated state fund to cover costs when local law enforcement agencies cannot pay. The new sexual assault medical forensic examination fund will reimburse medical providers up to $800 per examination for victims of alleged sexual offenses, with excess marijuana tax revenue funding the account. Additionally, the bill modifies how surplus marijuana tax funds are distributed, directing a portion to the new examination fund and clarifying the restorative justice fund's sources and uses. These changes shift financial responsibility from local law enforcement to the state for certain forensic examinations while maintaining oversight through the Department of Justice.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes dedicated state fund using marijuana tax revenue to reimburse medical providers for sexual assault examinations, advancing state budget management and funding essential public services.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes funding for sexual assault forensic exams, improving access to justice and victim support services within criminal justice system.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes dedicated state fund to cover costs of sexual assault medical forensic examinations, increasing access to healthcare services for victims.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Drug Policy Violent Crime

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 28, 2025

LC 3968: Revise penalties for criminal trespass while fishing, trapping, hunting, or collecting antlers/sheds/horns

This bill amends Montana law to require the revocation of hunting, fishing, and trapping privileges for up to 24 months when someone commits criminal trespass while engaged in these activities or collecting antlers, sheds, or horns. The change directly affects hunters, anglers, trappers, and wildlife collectors who unlawfully enter property owned by the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks or any other property while participating in these activities. Under the new provisions, individuals convicted of such trespassing offenses will face standard criminal penalties plus the loss of their state-issued hunting and fishing licenses for the specified period. The amendment applies to violations charged on or after the effective date of the act.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens penalties for criminal trespass in wildlife contexts, enhancing law enforcement accountability and protecting property rights.85% confidence

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 19, 2025

LC 2296: Allow a local first response entity to establish a peer support program

This bill allows police departments, sheriff's offices, fire departments, and emergency medical services in Montana to create peer support programs for their staff and volunteers. It requires these programs to have written policies covering supporter qualifications, session guidelines, confidentiality rules, and protections against discrimination or forced participation by supervisors. The legislation also establishes that peer support sessions are confidential and prohibits qualified supporters from testifying about what occurs during those sessions, with exceptions only for situations involving imminent harm or criminal activity.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes peer support programs for law enforcement, enhancing officer well-being and accountability, which aligns with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes peer support programs for first responders, addressing mental health and wellness through structured support systems with confidentiality protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Civil Rights Policing

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 18, 2025

LC 1564: Revise workers' compensation law to cover PTSD for first responders and others

This bill expands Montana's workers' compensation system to cover posttraumatic stress disorder for first responders, including firefighters, law enforcement officers, dispatchers, and prison employees. Under the new provisions, these workers can file claims if a qualified diagnosis confirms their PTSD resulted from an emergency event occurring during their official duties, excluding stress caused by personnel actions like disciplinary measures or job changes. The legislation amends existing state statutes to create an exception to Montana's general rule against compensating mental-mental claims, specifically recognizing the unique risks faced by first responders. Coverage applies to both professional and volunteer responders who act in an official capacity during emergency responses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill supports first responders including law enforcement by providing PTSD coverage, enhancing support for criminal justice workers.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands workers' compensation to cover PTSD for first responders, strengthening mental health coverage and access to care for specific occupational groups.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill expands workers' compensation to cover PTSD for first responders, which includes many veterans who served in similar emergency roles, thereby strengthening benefits for this group.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Veteran Mental Health

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 17, 2025

LC 3221: Revise traffic laws related to distracted driving

This bill prohibits Montana drivers from holding or using portable electronic devices like cell phones while operating a vehicle, with exceptions for hands-free use, voice calls, and navigation. It specifically bans texting, watching videos, and recording or broadcasting video unless the device is permanently mounted or used for emergency purposes. Drivers caught violating the law face fines ranging from $75 to $250 depending on whether it is their first or subsequent offense. The law also clarifies that police officers cannot seize a driver's phone during a traffic stop unless other legal authority allows it.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens public safety by reducing distracted driving, which lowers traffic accidents and potential criminal incidents, indirectly supporting criminal justice through enhanced safety measures.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill enhances transportation safety by restricting distracted driving, reducing accidents and improving road safety standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Driver Licensing Traffic Safety

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Dec 10, 2024

LC 103: Allow sharing of tax records for securities and insurance fraud investigations

This bill amends Montana's tax record confidentiality laws to allow the state auditor and the commissioner of securities and insurance to access taxpayer information for investigating fraud, noncompliance, and abuse under securities and insurance laws. The key provision expands existing exceptions to tax record privacy, permitting the sharing of return information with the state auditor's office specifically for securities and insurance investigations, which were not explicitly included in previous sharing agreements with other state agencies. The bill does not create new tax obligations or change how tax records are collected, but rather clarifies when these confidential records may be legally shared with state officials for enforcement purposes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill strengthens tax record confidentiality exceptions to enable fraud investigations, promoting fiscal responsibility and government accountability in tax administration85% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances fraud investigation capabilities by allowing tax record sharing, strengthening law enforcement tools for securities and insurance fraud cases.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

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