Technology

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 9, 2025

LC 2877: Adopt the psychology interjurisdictional compact

This bill adopts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to allow licensed psychologists to practice across state lines through telepsychology and temporary in-person services. It creates a system where psychologists licensed in one compact state can provide remote mental health services to clients in other participating states without needing separate licenses in each location. The legislation also establishes a coordinated database for sharing licensure and disciplinary information between states to protect public safety and includes rules for temporary practice authorization and adverse action notifications. This agreement applies only to temporary practice and telepsychology, not to permanent in-person practice, and requires psychologists to follow the laws of each state where they provide services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands access to mental health services by allowing cross-state telepsychology practice, improving patient access to care without requiring multiple licenses.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enables telepsychology services across state lines, expanding access to mental health care through digital platforms and technology.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Mental Health

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 5, 2025

LC 3009: Revise taxes for class 17 data center property

This bill amends Montana's property tax classification system to update how data centers are categorized and taxed. It extends the construction timeline for data center property from 15 years to 25 years and revises ownership requirements for qualifying facilities. The legislation also clarifies definitions for electrical generation facilities and telecommunications infrastructure, ensuring these assets are properly classified under existing tax rules. Additionally, it maintains the current 5-year tax exemption for fiber optic and coaxial cable while requiring reinvestment of tax savings into new infrastructure to preserve the benefit.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill updates tax classifications for data centers, likely generating revenue for state budget while clarifying tax rules for infrastructure development.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill updates tax classification for data centers and extends construction timelines, supporting technology infrastructure development and digital infrastructure growth.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Incentives Broadband Access Telecommunications

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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 Nov 18, 2024

LC 251: Provide for attorneys to appear remotely

This bill allows public defense attorneys to participate in certain court hearings remotely using two-way audio and video technology. It specifically applies to nonsubstantive hearings such as arraignments, bond hearings, and scheduling conferences, where the final outcome of the case is not decided. Courts retain the authority to require attorneys to appear in person if there is good cause, such as a lack of available technology, and must provide written justification at least five business days before the hearing. The legislation also establishes clear definitions for remote appearance and nonsubstantive hearings to ensure consistent implementation across Montana courts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances access to legal representation through remote technology, improving efficiency and defendant rights in criminal proceedings.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill promotes remote access to legal services using technology, enhancing digital equity and access to justice through two-way audio/video capabilities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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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 13, 2025

LC 1665: Emphasize media literacy in legislative goals for education

This bill amends Montana's state education goals to explicitly include media literacy as a priority for public elementary and secondary schools. It requires schools to work with parents to teach students skills for accessing, analyzing, evaluating, creating, and acting using various forms of communication. The legislation also aims to reduce students' vulnerability to disinformation, misinformation, propaganda, and indoctrination. By adding this as a formal legislative goal, the bill ensures media literacy becomes a standard part of the state's educational framework alongside other existing goals like financial literacy and critical thinking.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens education by adding media literacy as a formal goal, enhancing student skills and reducing vulnerability to misinformation.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill promotes media literacy and digital skills to reduce vulnerability to disinformation, strengthening students' technology engagement and critical thinking.75% confidence

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 18, 2025

LC 3970: Generally revise usage of artificial intelligence in certain health insurance

This bill establishes new rules for health insurance companies in Montana that use artificial intelligence to review medical claims and determine coverage. It requires insurers to ensure AI systems base decisions on individual patient medical history and clinical circumstances rather than relying solely on group data, while also mandating regular audits and prohibiting the use of AI to directly deny or delay care. The legislation maintains that final decisions on medical necessity must be made by licensed physicians, not automated systems, and gives the state insurance commissioner authority to enforce compliance through existing penalties.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects patient rights by requiring AI to consider individual medical history and prohibiting AI from directly denying care, strengthening healthcare decision-making.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill regulates AI use in health insurance to protect patient data privacy and ensure fair treatment, strengthening consumer protections in technology applications.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 10, 2025

LC 3160: Require DOR to accept income tax payments in cryptocurrency

This bill requires Montana's Department of Revenue to accept state income tax payments in cryptocurrency through third-party payment processors. It mandates that all cryptocurrency payments be converted to U.S. dollars before the state receives the funds, ensuring the government collects value in traditional currency. The legislation clarifies that using cryptocurrency to pay taxes does not trigger state capital gains taxes for the taxpayer. The program would begin applying to income tax years starting after December 31, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill modernizes tax payment options and clarifies cryptocurrency tax treatment, potentially increasing tax compliance and revenue collection efficiency.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill promotes cryptocurrency acceptance for tax payments, advancing digital payment options and modernizing state revenue collection through technology integration.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Emerging Technology

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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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