Sen. Daniel Emrich

Maddy summaryThis bill would prevent social media platforms and other free online spaces (called "digital public squares") from removing users or censoring their content without legal justification. It bans actions like shadowbanning, algorithmic suppression, or restricting content visibility, while allowing platforms to show advertisements. Users could sue platforms for damages if they violate these rules. The law applies specifically to free digital platforms, not paid services, and defines key terms like "deplatforming" as removing users without their request.

Maddy summarySB 158 requires Montana's Judicial Standards Commission to send investigation reports and evidence about judicial officers to the House of Representatives. The bill limits public disclosure of these reports, allowing release only if used in impeachment proceedings. It amends existing law to mandate this reporting process while restricting when the House can make such findings public. The bill directly affects judicial officers under investigation, the commission, and the House of Representatives. This is a procedural change to oversight of judicial conduct, not a substantive policy shift.

Maddy summarySB 476 aims to clarify and codify Montana's separation of powers doctrine by defining the specific authorities of each government branch. It prohibits the legislative branch from enacting laws conflicting with the constitution or exercising executive/judicial powers, and similarly restricts the executive and judicial branches from overstepping their designated roles (e.g., courts cannot amend law effective dates or override statutes). The bill explicitly states that Montana's Board of Regents and Board of Public Education are executive branch agencies bound to follow state laws, not override them, and defines key terms like "general supervision" for these boards. This procedural bill, which died in committee in 2025, sought to prevent branch overreach but did not create new policies or affect specific individuals.

Maddy summarySB 229 (Montana) revises rules for Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services during child abuse and neglect investigations. It prohibits the department from removing a child using temporary investigative authority, requiring separate court petitions for removal under emergency procedures instead. The bill specifies that temporary investigations cannot exceed 90 days and must follow standard court service rules. This directly affects child welfare investigations, courts, and families involved in abuse/neglect cases by clarifying when removal can legally occur. The bill amended Section 41-3-433, MCA, to explicitly separate investigative authority from child removal powers.

Maddy summarySB 272 proposes rules for child protection specialists in Montana, directly affecting these professionals and the parents, foster parents, and guardians they interact with. The bill prohibits specialists from threatening people with criminal charges to stop them from contesting child abuse cases or blocking foster placements/guardianship based on protected actions like offering legal advice or testifying. It also requires specialists to use unbiased professionals when coordinating services and creates a complaint process through the Child and Family Ombudsman for alleged violations. The bill further restricts public access to certain complaint investigation documents and hearings. (Note: The bill died in committee and did not become law.)

Maddy summarySB 230 revises Montana's standards for emergency protective services in child abuse and neglect cases. It clarifies when child protective services may immediately remove a child (based on safety assessments) and updates reporting rules for sexual abuse allegations - specifically allowing confidentiality agreements with certain victim service providers if the victim is 14+ and seeking confidential care. The bill also sets new record-keeping requirements: safety assessments must be kept for 25 years unless destroyed within 30 days after a 3-year period, with exceptions for cases involving confirmed abuse or prior reports. This bill directly affects child protective services workers, county attorneys, and families involved in abuse/neglect investigations. (Note: The bill was tabled and died in process in May 2025.)

Maddy summarySB 231 requires Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) to attach specific documents to its affidavits in child abuse and neglect cases. The bill mandates that DPHHS include criminal case disposition details for any referenced offenses and obtain law enforcement reports involving adults named in the petition. This applies to all cases where DPHHS files an affidavit under Montana law (amending Sections 41-3-422 and 41-3-437, MCA). The change directly affects DPHHS staff preparing affidavits and families involved in child welfare proceedings where criminal matters intersect. The bill was tabled in committee and died in process in May 2025.

Maddy summarySB 13 would change Montana law by removing the Montana Supreme Court's direct authority to review ballot measure challenges, shifting this responsibility to district courts. The bill specifically targets disputes over ballot statements approved by the Attorney General or the legal sufficiency of petitions, directing these cases to be filed in district court instead of the Supreme Court. Key provisions include amending Section 13-27-605 to establish district court as the initial review venue and repealing Section 3-2-202, which previously granted the Supreme Court original jurisdiction over such matters. This change affects voters, petitioners, and opponents challenging ballot language before elections, requiring them to seek review in district court rather than the Supreme Court. The bill would take immediate effect upon passage.

Maddy summarySB 282 revises state and local government's ability to obtain and use electronic communications and data from electronic devices. The bill prohibits governmental entities from purchasing various types of electronic data, such as geolocation or sensitive data, without a search warrant or investigative subpoena. It generally requires a search warrant to obtain stored data from an electronic device or to compel disclosure of electronic communications from service providers, though exceptions exist for situations like owner consent or emergencies. Evidence obtained in violation of these provisions would be inadmissible, and collected communications must be deleted after the conclusion of criminal proceedings.

Maddy summarySB 286 clarifies how court decisions interpreting a statute are to be valued if the legislature later amends that same statute. The bill specifies that the precedential value of a court decision yields to subsequent legislative action on the interpreted statutory provisions. This means that legislative changes to a law take precedence over prior judicial interpretations of the old version of that law. This measure helps guide courts and legal professionals on how to apply legal precedent when statutes are updated by lawmakers.