Maddy summaryHB 388, titled "Create pregnancy center autonomy and rights of expression act," prevents state and local governments from regulating pregnancy centers specifically because they do not offer, refer for, or counsel in favor of abortion or contraception. It prohibits governments from requiring these centers to provide or promote such services, or from interfering with their ability to offer services like counseling and prenatal care based on their mission. The bill also protects a pregnancy center's right to make staffing decisions based on an individual's agreement with its pro-life ethic. If these provisions are violated, pregnancy centers or aggrieved parties can pursue civil action for damages, including statutory damages of $50,000.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summaryHB 415 revises the laws concerning a judge's ability to admit defendants to bail. The bill specifically limits a judge's authority to grant or continue bail for individuals who have an active warrant from another jurisdiction. This means defendants with outstanding warrants from other jurisdictions will not be eligible for bail in the current proceeding.
Maddy summaryHB 186 increases the size of the Montana Board of Pardons and Parole from five to six members. This bill directly affects the composition and operations of the board, which is responsible for decisions regarding parole and executive clemency. It outlines qualifications for board members, such as a college degree in a relevant field, extensive work experience in criminal justice, or a law degree. The bill also includes a transition plan for appointing the new sixth member, who will serve an initial term ending in January 2029, with subsequent full 6-year terms.
Maddy summaryHB 32 amends Montana law to clarify that government entities (like schools) may record children at public events without parental consent. It specifically adds "an event open to the public" (such as school sports, performances, or rehearsals) to the list of circumstances where recording is permitted. This directly affects parents of children participating in such public school activities, as it removes the prior requirement for parental consent for these recordings. The bill focuses on defining when government recordings of children are allowed, not on general public recording rights. The law was signed by the Governor on February 27, 2025.