Technology (Online Safety)

introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 6, 2025

LC 676: Revise laws to protect children from obscene content through electronic devices

This Montana bill requires all smartphones and tablets activated in the state on or after January 1, 2026, to include built-in filters that block obscene content for users under 18. The law mandates that devices automatically enable these filters when a user indicates they are a minor during setup, while allowing adults to disable the filters with a password. Manufacturers face civil liability if their devices fail to include compliant filters and minors access obscene content, though parents and guardians are exempt from individual liability. The Attorney General can pursue penalties of up to $5,000 per violation and recover legal costs for enforcing these requirements.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts technology use by mandating content filters on devices, limiting minors' access to internet content and imposing compliance requirements on manufacturers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Online Safety Social Media

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 15, 2025

LC 1631: Include digital identifications in alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana laws

This bill updates Montana's laws to officially recognize digital versions of government or tribal-issued identification for age verification when purchasing alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana products. It requires businesses that scan digital IDs to use the data only for age determination, prohibit sharing that information with others, and delete the scan data within 180 days. The legislation also establishes specific licensing types for marijuana operations and sets time limits for the state department to review and approve or deny license applications, with fee reductions if the department delays processing.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill promotes digital ID adoption for age verification while establishing strict data privacy protections, limiting data use and requiring deletion within 180 days.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Online Safety

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 24, 2025

LC 1729: Prohibit access to child pornography in Montana

This bill prohibits content providers from making child sexual abuse material accessible to people in Montana and bars them from profiting from distributing such content to Montanans. It defines "content providers" as those who create, publish, or distribute online content, while excluding basic hosting services and general web browsers. The law allows victims, the Department of Justice, and private individuals to sue for violations, with a 50-year statute of limitations for victim-initiated cases. Remedies available include court orders to stop the behavior, monetary compensation, and punitive damages, with provisions for sharing damages among multiple victims.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens criminal justice by prohibiting child pornography access and enabling legal action against violators, protecting minors and enhancing law enforcement capabilities.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enhances cybersecurity and protects digital rights by prohibiting child pornography distribution online, strengthening internet safety standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Online Safety Social Media

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died · Montana · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 1929: Generally revise criminal laws, including threats and/or cyberstalking of public officials

This bill (LC 1929) proposed updating criminal laws related to threats and cyberstalking directed at public officials. It aimed to revise specific provisions in the criminal code to strengthen protections for elected officials and government employees facing online harassment or threatening communications. The bill did not become law, as it died in committee on May 27, 2025, without advancing further. It would have directly affected public officials who experience threats or cyberstalking, potentially changing how such offenses are defined and prosecuted.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens protections for public officials against threats/cyberstalking, aligning with criminal justice reform goals of enhancing safety and accountability.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill targets cyberstalking of officials, strengthening legal protections against online harassment, enhancing cybersecurity for public figures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Online Safety

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Mar 28, 2025

LC 3686: Generally revise social media laws for minors

This bill, Montana's Social Media Youth Protection Act (LC 3686), requires social media companies to implement three key safeguards for minors under 18. First, companies must use an "age-assurance system" with at least 95% accuracy to identify minors. Second, they must obtain parental consent for minors' data privacy settings and provide tools for parents to monitor accounts. Third, companies must offer supervisory features for minor account holders to help prevent excessive use linked to mental health risks, sleep disruption, and academic impacts. The law directly affects social media platforms operating in Montana and their minor users and parents.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires social media companies to implement age verification, parental consent, and monitoring tools for minors' data privacy, strengthening consumer protection regulations.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy Online Safety Social Media

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died · Montana · Legislature May 26, 2025

LC 1580: Expand child labor laws to include digital labor practices

Bill LC 1580, titled "Expand child labor laws to include digital labor practices," proposed to update existing child labor regulations to cover digital work performed by minors, such as creating social media content, participating in online gigs, or engaging in digital content creation. The bill would have required businesses and platforms employing minors in digital work to comply with age restrictions and hour limits similar to traditional child labor laws. However, the bill died in the legislative process on May 26, 2025, and did not become law, so no policy changes were implemented.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands child labor protections to digital work, strengthening minor workers' rights under Labor & Employment regulations.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill imposes restrictions on digital labor practices (e.g., content creation, online gigs) by minors via age/hour limits, limiting technology use in labor contexts rather than advancing tech policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Child Labor Gig Economy Labor Standards Online Safety Social Media

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signed · Montana · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 249: Include digital identifications in alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana laws

HB 249 allows businesses selling alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana to accept digital versions of government-issued IDs (like phone-based licenses) for age verification. It directly affects retailers in these industries and customers using digital IDs. The bill requires businesses to handle digital ID data strictly: they may not sell or transfer the data and must permanently delete it within 180 days after use. These rules apply to all age-restricted sales, including tobacco products under Section 16-11-305 and marijuana transactions under Section 16-12-104.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires strict data handling for digital IDs: prohibits sale/transfer and mandates 180-day deletion, enhancing privacy protections in tech transactions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Online Safety

died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 408: Revise laws to protect children from obscene content through electronic devices

HB 408 requires all smartphones and tablets activated in Montana after January 1, 2026, to include automatic filters blocking obscene content for minors (under 18). Manufacturers face civil liability if filters fail to activate for minors, while parents/guardians can sue manufacturers for damages if filters are disabled by others (excluding parents). The bill mandates age verification during device setup, automatic filter activation for minors, and penalties up to $50,000 per violation for noncompliance. The bill died in the legislative process on May 22, 2025, and never became law.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates tech manufacturers to implement child safety filters and age verification, regulating devices for consumer protection under information technology subject.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Online Safety

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 925: Generally revise social media laws for minors

HB 925, the "Social Media Youth Protection Act," requires social media companies operating in Montana to implement systems that accurately identify minors (with 95% accuracy) and provide parental consent for data privacy settings. It mandates supervisory tools for minor account holders and restricts algorithmically curated services that use engagement-driven features like autoplay or endless scrolling. The bill directly affects social media companies and minors under 18, aiming to reduce excessive use linked to mental health risks by giving parents control over data and content exposure. Key provisions include age-assurance systems, parental consent for data privacy, and penalties for non-compliance, with definitions clarifying terms like "excessive use" and "algorithmically curated services."

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill mandates parental consent for minors' data privacy, restricts engagement-driven algorithms, and requires supervisory tools to protect minors. This regulates tech companies for consumer protection and strengthens data privacy for minors.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy Online Safety Social Media

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