Rep. Curtis Schomer

Maddy summaryHB 533 requires insurance companies that use wildfire risk scores to underwrite or rate real property insurance to provide specific information to insureds or applicants upon request. This bill directly affects admitted insurers in the state and individuals seeking or holding property insurance. Upon request, insurers must disclose the property's current wildfire risk score, the range of possible scores, the score's creator, its creation date, and the main factors that negatively influenced the score. Insurers are required to provide this information in writing within 15 days of receiving a request.

Maddy summaryHB 721 revises laws concerning Montana's registered apprenticeship program, affecting the Department of Labor and Industry, employers, and apprentices. The bill clarifies that employer participation in the program is voluntary. It modifies the Department of Labor and Industry's duties, including removing its responsibility to assist with non-apprenticeable on-the-job training programs. Additionally, the bill allows apprentices to receive full or partial credit, not exceeding 50%, for prior training and ensures the department honors existing apprentice-to-journeyman ratios.

Maddy summaryHB 521 revises civil liability laws by establishing that a person convicted of a crime has no legal right to sue for injuries or other damages they sustained during the commission of that crime. This means individuals cannot recover damages through a civil lawsuit if their injuries occurred while they were actively committing a crime for which they were later convicted. The bill specifies that this new provision will be codified as part of Title 27, chapter 1, part 5 of the state's legal code.

Maddy summaryHB 336 establishes an alternative pathway for individuals to obtain professional licenses in various occupations through apprenticeship programs. It requires state boards and programs to grant licenses to applicants who successfully complete a nationally recognized apprenticeship in their field. This applies to a wide range of professions, including barbers, cosmetologists, addiction counselors, licensed practical nurses, plumbers, and electricians. Applicants pursuing licensure via an apprenticeship must still meet the same examination and fee requirements as those who complete traditional educational programs.

Maddy summaryHB 391 revises state alcohol laws regarding concession agreements, which are contracts between licensed alcohol sellers and unlicensed entities that serve alcoholic beverages. The bill clarifies that licensees may compensate concessionaires based on a percentage of either the gross or net alcoholic beverage sales. This provision offers more flexibility in structuring financial arrangements for alcohol service between these parties.

Maddy summaryHB 352 revises Montana's child support guideline laws, affecting parents involved in child support cases and the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). The bill establishes a Guidelines Review Oversight Committee within DPHHS, composed of parents, tribal members, legal professionals, and a legislator. This committee is responsible for researching, recommending changes to the guidelines, approving related policy, and verifying the accuracy of the state's child support calculator. Additionally, it requires certain DPHHS staff involved in child support to have tax preparation expertise and mandates the department to contract with a private software vendor to assist with calculator verification.

Maddy summaryHB 631 revises student data privacy laws by amending the definition of "K-12 school purposes" in Section 20-7-1324, MCA. This change means that the existing data privacy protections for K-12 online applications will no longer apply to courses taken for postsecondary (college) credit. It also excludes work-based learning courses from these specific K-12 data privacy regulations. This bill aims to remove barriers to postsecondary opportunities by clarifying which educational activities fall under K-12 online application privacy rules.

Maddy summaryHB 268 revises Montana's laws for sexual and violent offender registration, primarily affecting individuals convicted of such offenses who must register under state law. The bill requires county attorneys to notify the Attorney General's office when a petition for relief from registration is filed, and it updates registration duration rules: violent offenders automatically qualify for relief after 10 years (unless reconvicted), while level 1 sexual offenders may petition after 10 years and level 2 after 25 years. Courts must consider a clean record (no new convictions, successful treatment/completion of supervision) and public safety before granting relief, and must notify victims before hearings. The changes aim to streamline the relief process while maintaining public safety safeguards.

Maddy summaryHB 191 amends Montana law to create a new offense for knowingly committing domestic violence (defined as assaults under sections 45-5-202, 45-5-206, 45-5-213, or 45-5-215 against a partner or family member) while a child under 18 is present. This directly affects individuals who commit domestic violence near children, adding a separate misdemeanor charge for the child-witnessing aspect. The law specifies that "in the presence of a child" means the child is physically present or the perpetrator knows the child may see/hear the violence. A conviction carries a fine of $100-$1,000 and/or up to 1 year in jail. This amendment does not change existing domestic violence penalties but creates an additional charge specifically for incidents involving children.

Maddy summaryHB 41 adds gabapentin to Montana's Schedule V list of controlled substances under the "depressants" category. This change directly affects medical providers who prescribe gabapentin (used for nerve pain, seizures, and other conditions), pharmacists who dispense it, and patients using the medication. The bill amends Montana Code § 50-32-232 to explicitly include gabapentin - identified by its chemical name "1-(aminomethyl)cyclohexaneacetic acid" - in Schedule V depressants alongside drugs like pregabalin. This policy update standardizes gabapentin's regulatory classification without altering its medical use or prescribing rules.