Technology

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 599: Revise student data collection laws

HB 599 revises parental rights concerning data collection and health screenings for children within schools. It establishes that parents can opt-out of school evaluations, surveys, or data collection that does not require personally identifiable information, and must opt-in for those that do. The bill requires schools to notify parents about any physical or mental health screenings or surveys, allowing parents to opt their child out, and to inform parents of any resulting issues. Furthermore, it mandates parental consent for biometric scans, certain audio/video recordings, and specific school trip accommodations. It also prohibits government entity employees from withholding relevant health information from parents.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens parental data privacy rights by mandating opt-in for identifiable student data collection, directly advancing privacy protections in technology policy.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Montana · House May 16, 2025

HB 392: Generally revise laws related to creation of profitable family video content featuring minor children

HB 392, known as the "Child Digital Protection Act," revises laws concerning profitable family video content featuring minor children. It requires content creators who meet specific profit and content thresholds to contribute a percentage of their gross earnings into a trust for the minor child, accessible once the child reaches 18 years of age. Additionally, the bill grants individuals who were featured as minors in such content the right to request the permanent deletion of those video segments from online platforms upon reaching the age of majority.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyGrants minors right to request deletion of personal content, enhancing data privacy protections for digital content featuring minors per bill's deletion provision.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

vetoed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 271: Provide that there is a limited executive privilege to the public records act

HB 271 revises laws concerning executive exemptions to public records requests, aiming to replace a common law privilege with a statutory framework. It allows the Governor to assert a limited executive exemption for specific information only when their individual privacy interest clearly outweighs the merits of public disclosure, requiring the exemption to be narrowly tailored. The bill defines "confidential information" restrictively and sets a maximum duration of 60 days for an exemption to last. Additionally, it requires the award of costs and reasonable attorney fees to a prevailing party in public records litigation.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill restricts executive exemptions for public records, requiring narrow tailoring and 60-day limits to protect data privacy under Privacy subject.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

Track

signed · Montana · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 364: Establish kill switch laws

SB 364 establishes "kill switch" laws, primarily affecting individuals who own electronic consumer products and motor vehicles, and the entities that manufacture or service them. The bill prohibits an entity from remotely activating a kill switch on a person's personally owned property without a court order or warrant. Exceptions include situations involving unpaid subscriptions or leased items (with prior disclosure), and certain safety features in motor vehicles. Additionally, a kill switch can be activated on stolen property with the owner's consent. Violations allow individuals to seek $10,000 in statutory damages per instance.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits remote kill switch activation without warrant, protecting consumer device privacy and security from unauthorized access, aligning with data privacy and cybersecurity indicators.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Montana · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 297: Generally revise privacy laws

SB 297 generally revises privacy laws, affecting consumers and entities that collect personal data. The bill requires these "controllers" to notify consumers when their information has been collected and to provide an opt-out option for consumers. It also mandates that controllers issue privacy notices and outlines their specific duties regarding data handling. Additionally, the Attorney General is required to post information about consumer privacy rights and responsibilities online.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires data controllers to notify consumers and provide opt-out, strengthening privacy protections under tech policy95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 178: Limit government use of AI systems

HB 178 limits the use of artificial intelligence (AI) systems by state and local government entities and officers. The bill prohibits AI use for cognitive behavioral manipulation, unlawful discrimination, deceptive purposes, and most public space surveillance, with specific exceptions. It requires government entities to disclose when AI-produced material is published without human review or when an AI system is used in public interfaces. Additionally, any AI recommendation or decision that could impact a person's rights, duties, or privileges must be reviewed and can be modified or rejected by a trained human in a responsible position.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill restricts government AI use for deceptive purposes and requires disclosure, directly protecting data privacy and digital rights per topic description.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 538: Revise 911 emergency telephone system laws

HB 538 revises state laws governing the 9-1-1 emergency telephone system. It expands the 9-1-1 advisory council by one member and clarifies its role in advising the department on fee allocation, grants, and statewide planning. The bill updates the department's duties, including administering 9-1-1 funds, maintaining a statewide plan for current and next-generation technologies, and monitoring expenditures by local and tribal governments operating public safety answering points. It also directs the department to adopt rules for fund distribution, grant awards, and technology standards to ensure effective 9-1-1 services across the state.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyDirects statewide planning for next-generation 911 technologies, advancing emergency system infrastructure within communications/IT framework.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Montana · Senate May 8, 2025

SB 282: Limit state government use of personal electronic data

SB 282 revises state and local government's ability to obtain and use electronic communications and data from electronic devices. The bill prohibits governmental entities from purchasing various types of electronic data, such as geolocation or sensitive data, without a search warrant or investigative subpoena. It generally requires a search warrant to obtain stored data from an electronic device or to compel disclosure of electronic communications from service providers, though exceptions exist for situations like owner consent or emergencies. Evidence obtained in violation of these provisions would be inadmissible, and collected communications must be deleted after the conclusion of criminal proceedings.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires warrants for government data access, protecting privacy rights and limiting law enforcement overreach in criminal investigations per Criminal Procedure subject.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires warrants for government access to electronic data, strengthening privacy protections per bill's core provisions on data collection limits.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Montana · Senate May 8, 2025

SB 330: Create a Montana blockchain and digital innovation task force

Senate Bill 330 creates the Montana Blockchain and Digital Innovation Task Force, administered by the Department of Administration. This task force will consist of state officials, legislators, and individuals with expertise in blockchain, cryptocurrency, financial technology, or digital innovation. Its primary duties include developing knowledge in these areas and recommending policies to promote their adoption, foster partnerships, and regulate them within Montana. The task force is required to report its findings by July 1, 2026, and will terminate on December 31, 2026.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly creates a task force to promote blockchain/digital innovation adoption and develop policies supporting their growth, directly advancing technology advancement.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology

signed · Montana · House May 5, 2025

HB 397: Revise laws related to privacy in mental health digital service

HB 397 establishes confidentiality standards for mental health digital services. It defines these services as mobile applications or websites that collect, use, or access information related to an individual's mental health or substance use disorder, market themselves as facilitating such services, and use the information for diagnosis, treatment, or management. The bill subjects these services to existing health care information disclosure and confidentiality provisions. It also provides for enforcement and remedies for individuals whose information is disclosed in violation of these standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes confidentiality standards for mental health digital services, protecting patient privacy under existing healthcare confidentiality laws, aligning with patient rights and mental health support.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyHB 397 extends existing health privacy laws to digital mental health services, enforcing confidentiality standards for data handling in technology platforms, thus protecting user privacy.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Technology