Criminal Justice (Violent Crime)

introduced · Montana · Legislature Dec 31, 2024

LC 1340: Revise DUI laws related to enacting Bobby's law

This bill creates a new criminal offense called aggravated vehicular homicide while under the influence, which applies to anyone who negligently causes death while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The law establishes mandatory prison sentences of 3 to 30 years and fines between $10,000 and $50,000 for convictions, with no option for deferred sentencing. The bill also amends existing Montana statutes to update definitions related to facial recognition technology, digital driver's licenses, and law enforcement agencies, though these changes appear unrelated to the DUI provisions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates aggravated vehicular homicide offense with mandatory prison sentences, strengthening criminal justice response to DUI-related deaths.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Violent Crime

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 24, 2025

LC 2636: Provide for restitution payments to children of certain homicide victims

This bill requires individuals convicted of vehicular homicide while under the influence to pay monthly restitution for the support of minor children whose parent or guardian was killed in the incident. The court will determine payment amounts based on the child's needs, the surviving family's financial situation, and the defendant's ability to pay, with payments continuing until the child turns 18 or graduates high school. The law includes exceptions if the surviving family has already received compensation through a civil lawsuit and specifies that payments must begin within a year of the defendant's release from prison. Additionally, the bill amends related Montana statutes to clarify sentencing guidelines and remove the possibility of sentence deferral for this specific offense.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by requiring restitution payments to children of homicide victims, ensuring victim support and accountability for offenders.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sentencing Victims' Rights Violent Crime

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 28, 2025

LC 3422: Generally revise youth court laws

This bill revises Montana's youth court laws to clarify when certain serious offenses committed by minors can be prosecuted in adult district court instead of juvenile court. It directly affects youth aged 12 and older charged with specific crimes such as sexual assault, homicide, kidnapping, and drug offenses, as well as county attorneys and district courts who handle these cases. The legislation adds new offenses to the list of crimes that may be filed in district court, allows youth to waive their right to a transfer hearing, and establishes clearer procedures for transferring cases between juvenile and adult court systems. Additionally, it provides remedies when youth fail to meet the terms of consent decrees and updates laws related to consent decrees to ensure consistent application across the justice system.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens youth court laws by clarifying prosecution procedures for serious offenses, improving accountability for minors committing severe crimes.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Juvenile Justice Violent Crime

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 6, 2025

LC 2087: Revise domestic violence intervention grant requirements

This bill updates how Montana funds domestic violence intervention programs by allowing the state Board of Crime Control to issue grants to communities for probation officers who monitor court-ordered requirements for offenders charged with partner or family member assault, strangulation, or violations of protection orders. It also permits grants to courts for implementing offender intervention programs that meet specific state standards. The legislation requires the board to set funding priorities, track how organizations spend the money, and evaluate the effectiveness of the services provided. These changes apply to community organizations and courts that receive state funding to support domestic violence prevention and offender compliance efforts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill funds domestic violence intervention programs and probation monitoring for offenders, strengthening criminal justice response to violence.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Probation & Parole Violent Crime

Track

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

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 18, 2025

LC 3451: Generally revise criminal law

This bill amends Montana's criminal sentencing laws to clarify how courts handle time credit for offenders and limit the duration of community supervision for certain serious crimes. It allows judges to deny credit for time served during revocation proceedings when an offender commits multiple violations, while ensuring offenders receive credit for time spent in custody related to the same conduct they were convicted of. The legislation also sets maximum time limits for community supervision, capping probation periods at 20 years for sexual offenders and deliberate homicide cases, 15 years for violent offenses, and 5 years for other felonies, with exceptions for cases where longer supervision is deemed necessary to protect society. These changes directly affect district court judges, prosecutors, and defendants facing sentencing decisions in Montana.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill clarifies sentencing laws and limits community supervision for serious crimes, promoting judicial clarity and potentially reducing recidivism through structured supervision limits.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Probation & Parole Sentencing Violent Crime

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 10, 2025

LC 4194: Prohibit consent as a defense for physician assisted suicide

This bill prohibits physicians from using a patient's consent as a legal defense against homicide charges if they prescribe lethal medication for physician aid in dying. It directly affects doctors who might prescribe such medication and patients seeking end-of-life assistance through physician aid in dying. The law defines physician aid in dying specifically as a physician prescribing a lethal dose of medication for a patient to self-administer, while excluding the withholding or withdrawing of life-sustaining treatment. By stating that physician aid in dying is against public policy, the bill removes the ability of defendants to argue that a patient's consent makes the act legal. The changes take effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill restricts physician aid in dying by prohibiting consent as a defense, effectively expanding criminal liability for doctors and limiting patient rights in end-of-life care.85% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill restricts physician access to prescribing lethal medication, limiting patient access to end-of-life care options and reducing healthcare service availability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 4, 2025

LC 3054: Revise laws related to charges of assault

This bill amends Montana's assault laws to give victims the sole authority to decide whether criminal charges are filed, except in cases involving developmentally disabled, physically disabled, or mentally ill victims. Under the new provisions, most assault victims would control the decision to press charges rather than law enforcement or prosecutors. The bill does not change the definition of assault or the penalties for conviction, but it shifts the responsibility for initiating prosecution to the victim in most situations. This change directly affects individuals who experience assault and the legal process surrounding those cases.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill shifts prosecution authority from state to victims, weakening law enforcement and prosecutorial discretion in criminal justice system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Victims' Rights Violent Crime

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 19, 2025

LC 54: Generally revise partner family member assault laws to prevent victim from being charged with assault

This bill revises Montana's partner or family member assault laws to clarify that individuals acting in self-defense against an assault are considered victims and cannot be charged with the assault themselves. It directly affects people who may have been involved in a conflict with a partner or family member where they defended themselves from physical harm or threats. The key provision explicitly defines a "victim" to include anyone acting in self-defense, ensuring they are not prosecuted for the assault they were defending against. The bill also maintains existing penalties for offenders, including fines, jail time, and mandatory counseling requirements, while updating definitions of family members and partners to include various relationship types.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects individuals from being charged when acting in self-defense, aligning with criminal justice reform principles and protecting civil rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime

Track

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 17, 2025

LC 3231: Revise laws on sexual assault

This bill revises Montana's sexual assault laws by increasing penalties for repeat offenders and clarifying consent rules in specific situations. It directly affects people convicted of sexual assault and individuals in vulnerable positions such as students, mental health patients, and therapy clients. The key changes include raising maximum jail sentences for second and third offenses, establishing mandatory sex offender registration for repeat offenders, and defining consent as ineffective when a perpetrator holds authority over a victim in settings like schools, youth care facilities, or therapy offices. The bill also maintains exceptions for married couples in most authority-based scenarios.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by increasing penalties for repeat sexual assault offenders and clarifying consent rules, which enhances public safety and victim protection.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime

Track