Criminal Justice

signed · Montana · House May 5, 2025

HB 503: Generally revise traffic laws regarding evading or fleeing a peace officer

HB 503 revises existing traffic laws concerning fleeing from or eluding a peace officer. It categorizes this offense into a misdemeanor, an aggravated felony, and a felony if serious bodily injury or death occurs. The bill defines aggravated fleeing to include factors such as previous convictions, reckless driving behavior, causing over $5,000 in property damage, or leaving the state. It establishes specific penalties, including varying terms of imprisonment and fines, for individuals convicted of each level of the offense.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for fleeing officers, categorizing it as felony with aggravated factors, expanding criminalization and mandatory sentencing.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Montana · House May 5, 2025

HB 612: Generally revise criminal procedure laws

HB 612 revises criminal procedure laws concerning the revocation of suspended or deferred sentences, impacting offenders who violate their probation terms. The bill mandates that if a suspended or deferred sentence is revoked, any new sentence imposed will run consecutively to an existing sentence, unless the original sentence was already running concurrently. It also outlines procedures for revocation hearings, including offender rights and the prosecution's burden of proof. Additionally, the bill defines specific types of violations, such as "absconding" and "compliance violations," and applies these provisions to all offenders facing sentence revocation.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill mandates consecutive sentencing for probation violations, increasing punishment severity. Opposes reform by making sentences harsher and reducing leniency for offenders.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Montana · House May 5, 2025

HB 595: Revise qualifications for teachers of adult basic education or high school equivalency programs at state correctional institutions

HB 595 establishes a Montana correctional education program within the Department of Corrections, directly affecting inmates in state prisons by providing opportunities for high school equivalency and adult basic education. The bill outlines specific qualifications for instructors in these programs, requiring them to be at least 18 years old, of good moral character, and possess an associate degree, bachelor's degree, a teaching certificate from another state, or prior teaching experience. It explicitly states that the Department of Corrections cannot require these instructors to hold a Montana teacher certificate. The Department of Corrections is authorized to adopt policies determining which inmates are eligible to participate.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes prison education program to improve inmate rehabilitation and reduce recidivism through structured educational opportunities in correctional facilities.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates correctional education program with qualified instructors, expanding access to high school equivalency for inmates, directly advancing educational access within the topic.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 18, 2025

SB 101: Revise laws related to squatting

SB 101 creates new offenses for "unlawful squatting" (entering and staying on property without owner consent) and "fraudulent sale or lease" (advertising property for sale/rent without legal rights). Property owners gain clearer authority to request law enforcement removal of unauthorized occupants, with officers allowed to charge a service fee. Occupants convicted of unlawful squatting face misdemeanor penalties and must pay restitution equal to fair market rent for their stay. The bill also establishes a civil remedy for wrongful removal claims, allowing affected individuals to seek damages and attorney fees.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new criminal offense for squatting with misdemeanor penalties, expanding criminalization per OPPOSE indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 17, 2025

SB 261: Generally revise endangering the welfare of children

SB 261 revises the existing law concerning endangering the welfare of children. It expands the definition of this offense to include knowingly exposing a child to marijuana or dangerous drugs. The bill also makes it an offense to assist a child in entering an adult-use dispensary or a place where human trafficking or the production of dangerous drugs is taking place. Additionally, it updates sections related to drug manufacturing and exposure in the presence of children to apply to a broader range of dangerous drugs instead of specifically methamphetamine.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by creating new offenses (e.g., exposing children to marijuana) and aligns with 'oppose' indicator of expanding criminalization.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Montana · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 82: Generally revise laws related to crimes against children

HB 82 creates a new criminal offense called "grooming of a child for a sexual offense," defined as using communication (in-person or electronic) to manipulate a child into sexual activity, coerce meetings, distribute explicit material, or exploit authority to build a secret relationship. The bill revises existing laws to include computer-generated child pornography in sexual abuse charges and increases penalties for crimes against children, such as mandatory 100-year prison sentences for offenders targeting children under 12. It directly affects individuals who engage in grooming or sexual exploitation of minors, requiring severe punishments including fines up to $50,000 and mandatory sex offender treatment. The law updates legal definitions to address modern tactics like online interactions while strengthening protections for children under 16.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory 100-year sentences and expands criminalization of child-related offenses, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of harsher penalties.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Montana · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 3: Supplemental Appropriations Bill

HB 3 is a funding bill that allocates specific amounts to Montana state agencies for the 2024-2025 fiscal year and continues some funding into the 2025-2026 biennium. It provides $22.2 million to the Public Health and Human Services Division, $12.5 million to the State Public Defender's Conflict Division, $4.07 million to the Montana Highway Patrol, and other sums to agencies like Revenue, Corrections, and Fish and Wildlife. The bill directs these funds for existing agency operations, with unspent balances reverting to their respective funds. It became law immediately upon the governor's signature on April 7, 2025, without requiring additional legislative action. This is a routine budget measure affecting state agency operations, not a policy change impacting citizens.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $22.2M to Public Health, $12.5M to Public Defender, and other funds for essential state operations, directly supporting budget allocation and fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAllocates $12.5M to State Public Defender's Conflict Division, directly funding indigent defense and defendants' rights in criminal justice system.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAllocates $4.07M to Montana Highway Patrol (transportation safety agency) for road safety operations, directly funding transportation infrastructure maintenance.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Montana · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 268: Generally revise notification requirements related to the registration of sexual and violent offenders

HB 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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeUpdates registration duration to allow relief after 10 years for violent offenders and level 1 sexual offenders, reducing long-term restrictions and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Montana · House Mar 27, 2025

HB 44: Revise laws related to tampering with evidence connected to a homicide

HB 44 increases penalties for tampering with evidence in homicide investigations. It raises the maximum penalty for tampering that affects a medical examiner’s ability to determine a cause of death from 10 years to 40 years in prison, or a $100,000 fine (up from $50,000). The bill specifically targets individuals who alter, destroy, or fabricate evidence to mislead homicide investigations. This directly affects people who interfere with physical evidence in cases involving death, such as by destroying a weapon or falsifying autopsy records. The law amends Montana’s existing evidence tampering statute to strengthen consequences for crimes impacting homicide resolution.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases penalties for evidence tampering from 10 to 40 years, expanding criminalization and stricter sentencing per 'oppose' indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice