Technology (Data Privacy)

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 19, 2025

LC 3519: Resolution to protect online personally identifiable information

This Montana legislative resolution urges the state's congressional delegation to take action to protect the personally identifiable information of Montanans held in federal databases. The bill responds to concerns that the newly created Department of Government Efficiency has accessed sensitive federal data without clear oversight or security guarantees. It calls for immediate federal-level protections for Montana residents' names, addresses, and social security numbers to match existing state privacy standards. The resolution does not create new laws but instead requests that federal representatives secure the databases containing this information.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly aims to protect personally identifiable information and enhance data privacy through federal-level protections, aligning with cybersecurity and digital rights goals.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 13, 2025

LC 5: Generally revise privacy laws related to biometric, genetic, and neural data

This bill revises Montana's Genetic Information Privacy Act to include neural data, which covers information generated by measuring brain and nervous system activity through devices. It directly affects individuals whose genetic or neural data is collected, as well as companies and organizations that offer genetic testing services or analyze such data. Key changes include adding a formal definition of neural data, updating privacy notice requirements to ensure consumers receive clear information about data collection, and expanding protections to cover both invasive and noninvasive neurotechnologies used outside medical settings. The legislation also strengthens the legal framework by adding legislative findings that recognize the sensitivity of neural data and its potential to reveal intimate information about health, mental states, and cognitive functioning.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill strengthens patient privacy rights regarding genetic and neural health data, protecting individuals from misuse of sensitive medical information.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens privacy protections for neural and genetic data, enhancing consumer rights and regulating data collection practices.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Dec 30, 2024

LC 2712: Revise electronic license privacy law

This bill amends Montana's electronic license privacy law to clarify that showing an electronic driver's license on a device does not allow police to search the device. The change directly affects drivers who use digital licenses and law enforcement officers who may request access to a phone during traffic stops. By explicitly stating that displaying the license is not consent to search, the legislation protects the privacy of data stored on personal electronic devices. This update ensures that law enforcement must still obtain proper legal authority before accessing a driver's phone beyond the license display itself.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects civil rights by limiting police search authority during traffic stops, enhancing accountability and privacy in criminal justice interactions.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects digital privacy by clarifying that displaying an e-license doesn't consent to device searches, strengthening consumer data rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Data Privacy

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 21, 2025

LC 589: Prohibit sale of electronic data to the federal government

This bill establishes that individuals own their electronic data and requires companies holding that data to act as trustees for the owners. It prohibits selling electronic data to the federal government without the individual's explicit consent and mandates that any sale provide actual compensation related to the data's value. The law also prevents contracts from forcing people to give up their data rights and requires permanent deletion of a deceased person's data unless they previously designated someone to inherit it. These provisions apply to Montana residents and affect businesses, service providers, and government agencies that collect or store personal information.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects data privacy by prohibiting unauthorized data sales to federal government and establishing individual data ownership rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 18, 2025

LC 1525: Revise student online protection laws related to postsecondary opportunities

This bill updates Montana's student data privacy laws by clarifying definitions related to online platforms used in K-12 education and removing restrictions that could limit postsecondary opportunities. It amends existing statutes to explicitly exclude postsecondary credit courses and work-based learning programs from the definition of K-12 school purposes, allowing students to use certain online applications for college-level work without triggering additional privacy protections. The legislation also refines how "protected information" and "pupil records" are defined to ensure clarity for schools, technology providers, and students regarding what data is covered under privacy rules. By making these definitions more precise, the bill aims to reduce confusion about which online tools and data require special handling while maintaining privacy safeguards for student information.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill removes restrictions on postsecondary opportunities and clarifies definitions to allow college-level work without privacy barriers, expanding educational access.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill clarifies definitions to allow students to use online applications for college work without privacy restrictions, supporting digital access and educational technology integration.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 8, 2025

LC 294: Generally revise student data laws to enhance privacy

This bill updates Montana's student data laws to strengthen privacy protections within the statewide K-12 data system. It establishes a "right to be forgotten" allowing students and parents to request deletion of their education data, with specific exceptions for legal compliance, funding requirements, or contracts. The law requires the Office of Public Instruction to provide accessible methods for submitting deletion requests and mandates that data be removed within 45 days, with limited extension options. Additionally, the bill prohibits using Social Security numbers in any unique identifiers that link education and workforce data.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens student data privacy protections, enhancing educational access and safeguarding student information within K-12 systems85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens student data privacy protections and establishes deletion rights, directly supporting digital rights and data privacy within technology systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 21, 2025

LC 908: Revise the Montana driver privacy protection act

This bill revises Montana's Driver Privacy Protection Act to strengthen privacy safeguards for personal information in motor vehicle records. It requires the Department of Justice to obtain express written consent from individuals before releasing their personal data to third parties and mandates the department maintain a list of all requesters. The legislation also allows individuals harmed by privacy violations to file individual or class action lawsuits seeking punitive damages, costs, and attorney fees. Additionally, it clarifies definitions of personal information and restricts the disclosure of sensitive data like social security numbers to specific authorized purposes such as tax administration and law enforcement.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens privacy safeguards for personal data in motor vehicle records, requiring express consent and allowing lawsuits for violations, directly supporting digital rights and data privacy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 10, 2025

LC 372: Generally revise privacy laws

This bill revises Montana's privacy laws to strengthen protections for students and consumers by updating definitions and requirements for how personal information is collected and managed. It directly affects K-12 schools, educational software providers, and consumers by establishing clearer rules for what constitutes protected information, such as student records, biometric data, and sensitive personal details. Key provisions include requiring operators of K-12 online applications to notify consumers when certain information is collected and providing an opt-out option for consumers to control their data. The bill also mandates that the Attorney General post information about consumer rights and responsibilities online and specifies duties for data controllers and third-party service providers. Additionally, it amends several existing sections of the Montana Code Annotated to align with these updated privacy standards.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens privacy protections for students and educational data, enhancing security and trust in educational technology and student records management.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens privacy protections for students and consumers by updating data collection and management requirements, enhancing cybersecurity and digital rights.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 18, 2025

LC 3016: Revise student data collection laws

This bill revises Montana's laws to strengthen parental rights over how their children's data is collected and used by schools and government entities. It requires schools to notify parents about physical and mental health screenings and allows parents to opt their children out of non-essential data collection while opting in for surveys that require personally identifiable information. The legislation also restricts government entities from interfering with parental decisions regarding education, health care, biometric scans, and other personal information without meeting strict legal standards. Additionally, it establishes legal protections allowing parents to seek remedies if their rights under the new provisions are violated.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens parental rights over student data collection and enhances privacy protections for minors in educational settings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 15, 2025

LC 2117: Revise online data privacy laws for K-12 pupil records

This bill updates Montana's laws governing how K-12 school districts can share student data with third-party vendors like cloud storage providers and educational software companies. It requires contracts with these vendors to include specific protections, such as ensuring schools retain ownership of student records, prohibiting the use of data for targeted advertising, and mandating clear procedures for parents to review and correct information. The legislation also allows districts to use pre-approved model contracts from privacy-focused groups to simplify compliance and voids contracts that fail to meet these new requirements after a chance to fix them is given.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens student data privacy protections in K-12 schools, enhancing educational security and parental rights over student information.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens data privacy protections for student records by regulating third-party vendor contracts and prohibiting targeted advertising.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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