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HB 514 Montana House · 2025 Regular Session

Criminalize use of real and digitally fabricated sexually explicit images

HB 514 revises Montana's privacy in communications laws, specifically targeting the non-consensual use of sexually explicit images. The bill makes it an offense to publish, distribute, or disclose real or "digitally fabricated" sexually explicit images of an identifiable person without their consent, especially with intent to harm or extort. It also criminalizes possessing and threatening to disclose such images to obtain money or valuables. "Digitally fabricated" is defined as media created using technical means, like artificial intelligence, to falsely depict an individual engaging in sexual conduct. Penalties for these offenses range from a misdemeanor for a first conviction to a felony for subsequent convictions.
Issues: ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes non-consensual sharing of explicit images, expanding criminalization scope. Aligns with 'oppose' indicator of expanded criminalization.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCriminalizes non-consensual distribution of explicit images (including digitally fabricated), strengthening data privacy protections under Information Technology subjects.95% confidence
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Feb 14, 2025 Signed May 19, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 4 comparisons

What changed between versions

HB0514_X(2).pdf → HB0514_X(3).pdf · 1 edit
MINOR
The bill text was finalized by removing the 'END' marker and the associated blank lines, indicating the conclusion of the legislative document. No substantive policy changes, such as new definitions, funding amounts, or eligibility criteria, were introduced in this specific diff.
TECHNICAL

Removed the 'END' marker and trailing blank lines that signified the end of the document.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 22, 2025 · House Mar 4, 2025

How they voted

50–0
Passed
Total votes 50
Apr 22, 2025
D Democratic18
18 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican32
32 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
50
Key actions
13
Committee
12
May 13, 2025
Signed into law
(H) Signed by Governor
lower
May 6, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Signed by President
upper
May 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Signed by Speaker
lower
Apr 22, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (50-0)
senate
Apr 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Report - (S) Finance and Claims
upper
Apr 18, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Finance and Claims
upper
Apr 16, 2025
Committee
(S) Rereferred to Committee - (S) Finance and Claims
upper
Apr 15, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Report - (S) Judiciary
upper
Apr 4, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Judiciary
upper
Mar 5, 2025
Committee
(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Judiciary
upper
Mar 4, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (99-0-1)
house
Mar 4, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Report - (H) Appropriations
lower
Mar 3, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Appropriations
lower
Mar 3, 2025
Committee
(H) Rereferred to Committee - (H) Appropriations
lower
Feb 28, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Report - (H) Judiciary
lower
Feb 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Judiciary
lower
Feb 17, 2025
Committee
(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Judiciary
lower
Feb 14, 2025
Introduced
(H) Introduced
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Jill Cohenour
Jill Cohenour
DDemocratic
MT
83