LC 3019 Legislature · 2025 Regular Session

Revise criminal laws related to strip searches

This bill modifies Montana's criminal laws to allow strip searches for individuals who will be held in a jail or correctional facility for more than 12 hours. Currently, strip searches generally require reasonable suspicion that a person is concealing a weapon, contraband, or evidence, but this change creates an exception for those facing extended detention. The amendment applies to all persons arrested or detained for traffic offenses or non-felony crimes who meet the 12-hour housing threshold. Law enforcement officers would be authorized to conduct these searches without needing to demonstrate specific suspicion under the new provision.
Bill status introduced 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2024
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Dec 13, 2024 Last action Feb 18, 2025
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