Criminal Justice (Corrections)

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 17, 2025

LC 4145: Revise laws related to perjury and false swearing

This bill amends Montana laws on perjury and false swearing to clarify definitions, adjust penalties, and establish investigation requirements. It directly affects individuals who make false statements under oath in official proceedings, court cases, or notarized documents. The bill requires that credible allegations of perjury or false swearing be investigated by agencies outside the judiciary, mandates minimum prison sentences ranging from 6 months to 10 years for perjury convictions, and clarifies rules about inconsistent statements and materiality. Additionally, it maintains existing protections for defendants, such as allowing retractions before a falsification substantially affects a proceeding and limiting convictions when proof relies solely on one witness.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens perjury laws with clearer definitions, adjusted penalties, and external investigation requirements, enhancing judicial integrity and accountability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 17, 2025

LC 3437: Generally revise laws related to abuse, neglect, and exploitation of incapacitated persons and vulnerable adults

This bill revises Montana laws to better protect vulnerable adults and incapacitated persons from abuse, neglect, and exploitation by updating definitions and penalties. It directly affects individuals who care for these populations, including family members, employees, and facility staff, by clarifying what constitutes abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, and personal degradation. The bill establishes specific penalties, including felony charges with up to 10 years in prison and fines up to $10,000 for intentional abuse or neglect, while also creating a new crime for failing to report suspected abuse or making false reports. Additionally, it prohibits charging individuals with developmental disabilities for certain abuse-related offenses and strengthens protections against financial exploitation through deception or duress.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by updating definitions and penalties for abuse of vulnerable adults, enhancing protection and accountability for caregivers and facilities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 17, 2025

LC 2317: Allow DOC to contract with private corporations to establish and maintain certain facilities and programs

This bill authorizes Montana's Department of Corrections to contract with private corporations to establish and maintain certain correctional facilities and treatment programs, including prerelease centers, residential methamphetamine treatment programs, and sexual offender treatment programs. The legislation allows contracts with both nonprofit and for-profit Montana corporations for up to 20 years, with a requirement that proposed 20-year contracts be reviewed by the legislative audit committee before finalization. Key provisions include mandating competitive procurement processes for methamphetamine treatment programs and maintaining the department's existing authority to operate its own facilities while expanding options for private partnerships. The bill also permits contracting with private organizations to provide substitute care for delinquent youth and to operate day reporting programs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands correctional facility options and treatment programs, potentially improving rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through private sector partnerships.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 18, 2025

LC 2470: Revise MCE prison industries training program laws

This bill revises Montana's prison industries training program to expand vocational opportunities for inmates and increase the scope of work they can perform. It requires the program to include educational programming and allows inmates to work on construction projects up to $1 million, exempting these projects from standard bidding and contracting requirements. The legislation also permits the program to offer vocational training that meets private market demand and removes restrictions on selling products through contracts and dealer networks. Additionally, it authorizes the sale of prison-made goods on the open market and allows inmates to earn wages to pay restitution, fines, and save for release.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands vocational training and rehabilitation programs for inmates, which aligns with reducing recidivism and improving correctional systems.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Victims' Rights

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 24, 2025

LC 2131: Generally revise laws relating to incarceration

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates Office of Reentry Services to support formerly incarcerated individuals through job training, housing, healthcare, and education, directly promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill creates Office of Reentry Services that includes housing assistance for formerly incarcerated individuals, directly supporting housing access for a vulnerable population.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 18, 2025

LC 758: Generally revise contempt of court laws

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens procedural protections for contempt charges and protects First Amendment rights, advancing civil liberties within the judicial system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Courts

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 24, 2025

LC 4067: Require Corrections to consider inmate family connections during placement

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill promotes rehabilitation by considering family connections during inmate placement, potentially reducing recidivism and supporting family ties.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 24, 2025

LC 3389: Generally revise laws related to incarceration

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill improves conditions in correctional facilities by ensuring access to basic hygiene and stationery, supporting human rights and rehabilitation within the criminal justice system.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates provision of hygiene and stationery products to incarcerated individuals, improving basic health and personal care access in correctional facilities.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 10, 2025

LC 1938: Prohibit incarceration of certain inmates out of state

This bill prohibits the Montana Department of Corrections from placing certain inmates in out-of-state facilities if the inmate has a child under 13 years old who lives in Montana, unless the inmate's parental rights have been terminated or they were convicted of a sexual offense. The law amends existing statutes to add this specific restriction to the conditions under which inmates may be confined outside the state. It applies only to inmates who meet the age and residency criteria for their children, leaving other inmates unaffected by this particular provision. The bill does not change how the state handles overcrowding or other existing rules about inmate placement, but adds a new limitation based on family circumstances.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts out-of-state incarceration for parents with young children, promoting family unity and likely reducing recidivism through stronger community ties.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 15, 2025

LC 1119: Provide funding to increase correctional capacity

This Montana bill establishes a new state fund and allocates $220 million to expand correctional capacity by building or renovating a new prison facility. The legislation creates the Future of Corrections Fund to manage money for securing additional facilities through construction or lease-to-own agreements, while also allowing $30 million for planning, technology upgrades, and system assessments. A key provision requires the Budget Director to evaluate whether a proposed facility location has sufficient workforce for inmate rehabilitation before construction proceeds, with funds potentially reverting to the general fund if construction is deemed not in the state's best interests. The bill also mandates quarterly reporting to legislative committees on all expenditures related to the project and includes a contingency plan to redirect funds if the new facility is not built.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates $220M to expand correctional capacity through new prison facilities, directly increasing state funding for essential public services.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allocates $220M to expand correctional capacity through new prison facilities, directly strengthening the corrections system within criminal justice.85% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Corrections

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