This bill requires peace officers in Montana to check and report the immigration status of individuals during lawful stops, unless doing so would hinder an investigation. It directly affects law enforcement officers and individuals who are stopped by police under existing stop-and-frisk provisions. The key provision adds a new requirement for officers to make a reasonable attempt to determine immigration status when practicable and report non-citizens who are not lawfully present to federal immigration agencies. The bill amends existing Montana law to include this immigration status check as part of the standard investigative stop procedure.
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 Office of Reentry Services within Montana's Department of Labor and Industry to coordinate support for people leaving prison. The office will work with various state agencies, businesses, and community organizations to expand job training, housing assistance, healthcare access, and education programs for formerly incarcerated individuals. It requires the office to submit an annual report detailing the services provided, costs incurred, and the number of people served to the legislative committees.
This bill revises Montana's contempt of court laws to clarify when certain actions do not constitute contempt and to strengthen procedural protections for individuals facing contempt charges. It specifically states that violating a gag order is not contempt if the person is asserting First Amendment rights without intentionally violating someone's privacy, and that criticizing court proceedings is not contempt if it alleges the court violated the law or constitution. The legislation also requires jury trials for contempt cases involving potential incarceration beyond three days, prohibits holding non-attorney laypersons in contempt under certain circumstances, and increases the maximum fine for contempt from $500 to higher amounts. Additionally, the bill allows laypersons to appear with plaintiffs or defendants in court to provide legal information and establishes specific procedures for challenging contempt orders.
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 updates Montana laws governing presentence investigations and reports used in criminal sentencing. It primarily affects judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and probation officers by clarifying when these investigations must be ordered and how plea agreements are handled. Key changes include allowing plea discussions via two-way electronic audio-video communication, requiring courts to order mental health evaluations when defendants claim mental illness affected their behavior, and setting a 30-day deadline for completing preliminary or final investigation reports after a guilty plea or verdict. The legislation also defines specific circumstances under which presentence investigations are required for felony convictions.
This bill requires Montana's Department of Corrections to consider an inmate's family connections when transferring them to correctional facilities outside the state. The law mandates that officials evaluate both the strength of an inmate's family attachments and their ability to maintain those relationships during out-of-state placements. This change applies specifically to inmates being moved to institutions in other states, ensuring family ties are factored into placement decisions. The bill amends existing Montana Code Annotated provisions regarding inmate population management and out-of-state contracts while adding this new consideration requirement.
This bill amends Montana law to revise the composition and duties of the Criminal Justice Oversight Council, expanding the types of local court judges eligible for appointment to the council. The key changes include clarifying that both district court judges and municipal court judges or justices of the peace may serve, while maintaining the existing 18-member structure that includes legislators, state agency directors, and community representatives. The council will continue its role of monitoring the criminal justice system, recommending data policies, and providing guidance to the board of crime control, with provisions for filling vacancies and reimbursing member expenses. Additionally, the bill directs the code commissioner to reorganize the statute within the Montana Code Annotated for better integration with other criminal justice laws.
This bill revises Montana laws to require state and local correctional facilities to provide free hygiene and stationery products to incarcerated individuals upon request. The key provisions mandate that facilities supply items such as soap, toilet paper, toothbrushes, feminine hygiene products, and writing materials, while also requiring the development of policies to ensure these products are accessible to all inmates, including those in restricted areas. Additionally, the bill updates the powers of the Department of Corrections to include specific rules for prerelease centers, treatment facilities, and residential methamphetamine programs, as well as data tracking for individuals discharged into homelessness. These changes aim to improve health, safety, and basic living conditions within correctional facilities while clarifying the department's operational responsibilities.
This bill revises the membership composition of Montana's Public Safety Officer Standards and Training Council to ensure broader representation across law enforcement and related fields. The council will consist of up to 13 voting members appointed by the governor, including representatives from state law enforcement, police chiefs, sheriffs, corrections, tribal law enforcement, county attorneys, and communications officers, among others. The bill also adds a misdemeanor probation officer and two general citizens with law enforcement experience to the council. These changes take effect immediately upon passage and approval, updating the council's structure to reflect diverse perspectives within the public safety system.
