Criminal Justice (Violent Crime)

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 127: Providing for attorney fees and costs in certain justifiable use of force cases

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReimburses defendants' legal costs in successful self-defense cases, protecting civil rights and reducing financial barriers to defense in criminal court proceedings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Violent Crime

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 21, 2025

LC 307: Generally revise marijuana tax laws

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirectly allocates marijuana tax revenue to specific public services (10% to addiction treatment, 20% wildlife, 31% law enforcement grants) per statutory mandate, advancing fiscal management of tax funds.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllocates 10% to addiction treatment (HEART account), supporting rehabilitation and criminal justice reform.80% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentAllocates 20% of marijuana tax revenue to wildlife habitat projects, directly funding environmental conservation under Fish and Wildlife subject.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDirectly allocates 10% of excess marijuana tax revenue to addiction treatment programs (HEART account), explicitly funding healthcare services related to substance abuse treatment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Drug Policy Policing Violent Crime Wildlife Public Health Substance Abuse

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died · Montana · Legislature May 20, 2025

LC 1519: Revise laws related to batterer intervention counseling

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates 40-hour counseling for domestic violence offenders to address root causes, aligning with rehabilitation-focused criminal justice reform to reduce recidivism.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Sentencing Violent Crime

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signed · Montana · House Apr 25, 2025

HB 267: Revise DUI laws related to enacting Bobby's law

HB 267, also known as "Bobby's Law," creates the new crime of aggravated vehicular homicide while under the influence. This bill applies to individuals who negligently cause another person's death while operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Upon conviction, offenders face mandatory imprisonment ranging from 3 to 30 years, a fine between $10,000 and $50,000, or both. A key provision is that the imposition of this sentence cannot be deferred, meaning it must be served immediately upon conviction. The bill also updates existing statutes to include this new offense as a "serious crime" and to reflect the non-deferrable sentencing.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates mandatory prison terms for DUI-related deaths, expanding criminalization and increasing sentencing severity95% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Violent Crime

signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 332: Generally revise youth court laws

HB 332 revises youth court laws by expanding the types of offenses for which youth may be tried directly in district court, rather than youth court. It specifies age thresholds for these offenses, which include serious crimes like homicide, sexual assault, and drug distribution. The bill allows a youth to waive the right to a transfer hearing, which determines if their case should move back to youth court. It also details the criteria for a district court to transfer a case back to youth court and outlines sentencing and detention procedures for youth prosecuted in the adult system.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeMoves serious youth offenses to adult court, bypasses youth court protections, and eliminates transfer hearing waivers, reducing rehabilitative options for minors.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Sentencing Violent Crime

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 452: Generally revise penalties for assaults against utility workers

HB 452 creates a new specific criminal offense for assaulting an employee of a public utility. The bill defines different levels of assault, including causing bodily injury, causing serious bodily injury, or creating reasonable apprehension of serious bodily injury with a weapon. It establishes distinct penalties for these offenses, which include imprisonment terms ranging from 8 to 20 years and fines up to $50,000, depending on the severity of the assault. This legislation aims to provide specific legal consequences for acts of violence against individuals working for public utilities.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new offense for assaulting utility workers with increased penalties (8-20 yrs, $50k fines), expanding criminalization and increasing mandatory sentences.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill protects utility workers from assault via enhanced criminal penalties, directly strengthening workplace safety protections for employees.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 491: Generally revise laws related to sexual assault kits

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCreates state fund to cover sexual assault evidence costs, removing financial barriers for medical facilities and shifting responsibility from local agencies, advancing victim services in criminal justice.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Violent Crime

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signed · Montana · Senate May 16, 2025

SB 348: Revise laws on sexual assault

SB 348 revises laws related to sexual assault, primarily by increasing penalties for offenders. The bill raises the maximum fines and imprisonment terms for first, second, and third or subsequent convictions of sexual assault. A key provision mandates that individuals convicted of a second sexual assault offense must register as a sexual offender. These changes directly affect individuals convicted of sexual assault by strengthening legal consequences for the crime.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties, mandates registration for second offenses, expanding criminalization and harsher sentencing per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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 · House May 22, 2025

HB 702: Generally revise laws relating to criminal acts

HB 702 creates a new crime for operating drones over Montana correctional facilities without permission, punishable by 1-5 years in prison. It revises assault laws to specifically include intentionally making bodily fluid contact with correctional staff, healthcare providers, or emergency responders during arrests, incarceration, or transport. The bill also updates rules for possessing or transferring prohibited items (like cellphones, drugs, or weapons) into prisons, with harsher penalties for weapons (up to 20 years) and drugs (up to 10 years), while adding clarity about notice requirements for minor contraband. These changes directly affect prison staff, inmates, visitors, and anyone near correctional facilities.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for drone operations, expands assault definitions, and harshens prison contraband rules, strengthening punitive measures without reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

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