Criminal Justice (Drug Policy)

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 27, 2025

LC 2794: Reallocate Montana marijuana tax revenue

This bill restructures how Montana allocates marijuana tax revenue, directing funds toward prevention services, law enforcement operations, and local grants rather than general state budgets. It establishes a Marijuana Tax Revenue Accountability Council composed of state agency representatives, behavioral health professionals, and public members to oversee how the money is spent on substance misuse prevention and youth suicide prevention programs. The council will meet quarterly to advise the Department of Public Health and Human Services on grant distributions and prepare an annual impact report, while the state must fund prevention programs through contracts with external service providers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill directs marijuana tax revenue toward prevention services, law enforcement, and local grants, strengthening state budget allocation for essential public programs.90% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allocates marijuana tax revenue to law enforcement operations and prevention services, strengthening criminal justice infrastructure and funding.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill directs marijuana tax revenue toward prevention services, behavioral health professionals, and youth suicide prevention programs, strengthening public health and mental health services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Drug Policy Public Health

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Nov 19, 2024

LC 206: Resolution for support of federal SAFER banking act

This joint resolution from the Montana Legislature urges the U.S. Congress to pass the federal SAFER Banking Act of 2023. The bill would allow banks to provide financial services to marijuana-related businesses without fear of federal penalties, addressing the current barrier where these businesses must operate largely in cash due to federal prohibition. Montana specifically supports this measure because state laws have legalized marijuana for medical and recreational use, generating significant tax revenue while businesses struggle to access traditional banking. The resolution aims to reduce crime and tax evasion risks associated with cash-heavy operations and improve oversight of legal marijuana industries.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill supports federal banking reform to enable financial services for legal cannabis businesses, aligning federal policy with state legalization and reducing regulatory barriers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 16, 2025

LC 2975: Generally revise endangering the welfare of children

This bill revises Montana's endangering the welfare of children law to clarify specific prohibited actions and update penalties. It directly affects parents, guardians, and anyone supervising children under 18 by explicitly criminalizing exposing children to marijuana or dangerous drugs and assisting minors in entering adult-use dispensaries or locations involved in human trafficking or drug production. The legislation also establishes clearer guidelines for what constitutes acceptable independent activities for children, such as walking to school or short car rides, while maintaining stricter penalties for cases involving methamphetamine manufacturing or serious bodily injury to a child.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill clarifies prohibited actions and updates penalties for endangering children, strengthening child protection laws within criminal justice framework.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Human Trafficking

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Dec 31, 2024

LC 1791: Establish the crime of possession of stolen firearm or ammunition

This bill creates a new criminal offense for knowingly possessing stolen firearms or ammunition, allowing for up to 10 years in state prison upon conviction. It directly affects individuals who receive, store, sell, or dispose of stolen guns or ammo by making these actions a prosecutable crime. The legislation also amends existing youth court transfer laws to include possession of stolen firearms or ammunition among the offenses that can move a case from juvenile to adult court. This change ensures that possession of stolen weapons is treated as a serious offense that can trigger adult prosecution procedures for older youth. The bill focuses on establishing clear legal penalties and procedural rules without commenting on the effectiveness or necessity of these measures.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates new criminal offense for stolen firearms, strengthens law enforcement tools, and expands adult court transfer for gun possession, directly supporting criminal justice enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Firearms Juvenile Justice

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 13, 2025

LC 3972: Criminalize use of real and digitally fabricated sexually explicit images

This bill amends Montana's privacy laws to criminalize the possession and threat of disclosure of sexually explicit images, including both real photographs and digitally fabricated content created using artificial intelligence. It directly affects individuals who possess or threaten to share intimate images of identifiable people without consent, as well as platforms and users involved in distributing such material. The law defines "digitally fabricated" as media that realistically misrepresents an individual as engaging in conduct they did not actually participate in, and establishes specific penalties ranging from misdemeanor charges for first offenses to felony convictions for repeat violations. The legislation includes exceptions for law enforcement activities, public interest reporting, and certain artistic or educational uses, while also clarifying that internet service providers are not liable for content created by others.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by criminalizing non-consensual sharing of intimate images, protecting victims and enhancing legal accountability for digital privacy violations.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens privacy protections and cybersecurity by criminalizing non-consensual sharing of intimate images, including AI-generated content, enhancing digital rights and data privacy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Artificial Intelligence

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 23, 2025

LC 3564: Generally revise laws relating to criminal acts

This bill revises Montana's criminal laws by adding a new offense for operating unauthorized drones near correctional facilities and clarifying penalties for assaults involving bodily fluids. It also updates laws regarding the possession and transfer of illegal items like cellphones and drugs to incarcerated individuals, as well as unauthorized communications with detained persons. The legislation defines key terms such as "bodily fluid" and "emergency responder" to ensure consistent application of these rules across law enforcement and healthcare settings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens corrections by clarifying penalties for assaults involving bodily fluids and updating rules on contraband and communications in detention facilities, enhancing security and accountability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 28, 2025

LC 3018: Revise criminal laws related to DUI

This bill proposes to add a new type of driving under the influence offense in Montana for drivers who have certain prohibited substances other than alcohol or marijuana in their blood or body. It would amend existing criminal laws to allow prosecutors to charge drivers with DUI even when the substance detected is not alcohol or marijuana, provided it meets specific concentration thresholds. The legislation also updates related sections of the Montana Code Annotated to clarify how evidence of drug presence is used in DUI cases and defines what counts as being under the influence. Additionally, the bill modifies rules around driver rehabilitation programs, allowing some individuals with suspended or revoked licenses to participate in these programs and potentially receive restricted probationary licenses if they complete the required training.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands DUI laws to include other substances, strengthening public safety and law enforcement authority in criminal justice system85% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 9, 2025

LC 1500: Revise laws related to drug assault crimes

This bill amends Montana's assault laws to classify the non-consensual administration of specific drugs as assault. It directly affects individuals who provide substances like rohypnol, flunitrazepam, gamma-hydroxybutyrate, alcohol, or diphenhydramine to others without their consent. The law includes exceptions for medical providers treating patients, parents administering medication to minor children, guardians of incapacitated adults, and the use of opioid overdose reversal medications. A person convicted of this offense faces a fine of up to $500, imprisonment in county jail for up to six months, or both penalties.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by expanding assault laws to cover non-consensual drug administration, enhancing protection against chemical assault crimes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Violent Crime

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