This bill requires the state to cover attorney fees and out-of-pocket legal costs for individuals who successfully defend themselves against charges of forcible felonies using the justification of force. It applies only when a defendant is not convicted of the forcible felony charge, with the prosecutor's budget responsible for paying these expenses. If a defendant is convicted of other crimes where the self-defense argument failed or was not raised, they remain responsible for their own legal costs. The legislation aims to reduce financial barriers for individuals who legally justify the use of force in Montana.
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.
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.
This bill revises Montana's traffic laws regarding fleeing from or eluding a peace officer by clarifying penalties and reorganizing provisions within Title 61, Chapter 8. It establishes three tiers of offenses: a standard misdemeanor for refusing to stop after being signaled by a uniformed officer, a felony for repeat offenders or those who exhibit reckless driving, cause significant property damage, or leave the state, and a more severe felony for incidents resulting in serious bodily injury or death. The law applies to drivers who knowingly fail to obey visual or audible signals from police vehicles, including those who increase speed, continue driving above the limit, or extinguish their lights to evade an officer. Penalties range from up to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine for basic violations to up to ten years in prison and a $10,000 fine for aggravated cases involving injury or death.
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 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.
This bill allows police chiefs in Montana to appoint special service officers as court officers to assist with court duties. It permits the appointment of full-time, paid special service officers in addition to reserve or volunteer officers, expanding the pool of eligible personnel. The law also updates the definition of special service officers to explicitly include both full-time and part-time paid members who may carry firearms while on duty. These changes affect municipal courts and local law enforcement agencies by clarifying which officers can serve court functions under a police chief's authority.
This bill updates Montana's regulations for surety bail bond insurance licenses by raising the minimum age requirement from 18 to 21 and adding new educational and background standards. It mandates that applicants complete a 16-hour basic training course covering constitutional law, civil rights, use of force, and handling individuals with mental health or substance use challenges, with existing licensees exempt from initial training but required to participate in biennial continuing education. The legislation also introduces a temporary license option for up to 12 months to allow applicants to work under supervision while completing training requirements, and clarifies that law enforcement or military training can substitute for the basic course.
This bill establishes liability for peace officers and their agencies when property damage or injuries occur due to improper searches or illegal entries into buildings. It specifically covers situations where officers enter the wrong address based on a warrant, chase suspects into homes they do not live in, or when suspects take occupants hostage during apprehension attempts. The law requires officers to compensate affected individuals for damages and injuries resulting from these specific incidents. This change creates a clear financial responsibility for law enforcement agencies in cases of mistaken or unlawful entry during suspect pursuit. The provisions aim to provide recourse for victims of police actions that result in property damage or personal injury.
This bill authorizes patrol officers to make arrests and serve warrants on the Montana Capitol Complex, treating them the same as police officers in that location. It amends existing state law to extend arrest authority to patrol officers for offenses occurring on the Capitol grounds or involving motor vehicles. The change applies immediately upon passage and approval, allowing patrol officers to enforce laws and execute warrants within the Capitol complex without needing additional designation.
