Criminal Justice

signed · Montana · House May 5, 2025

HB 521: Generally revise civil liability laws

HB 521 revises civil liability laws by establishing that a person convicted of a crime has no legal right to sue for injuries or other damages they sustained during the commission of that crime. This means individuals cannot recover damages through a civil lawsuit if their injuries occurred while they were actively committing a crime for which they were later convicted. The bill specifies that this new provision will be codified as part of Title 27, chapter 1, part 5 of the state's legal code.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticePrevents convicted criminals from suing for crime-related injuries, directly reducing defendant rights per bill's explicit language.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Montana · House May 5, 2025

HB 493: Establish the crime of possession of stolen firearm or ammunition

HB 493 establishes a new criminal offense for the purposeful and knowing possession, receipt, concealment, storage, sale, or disposal of a stolen firearm or stolen ammunition. Individuals convicted of possessing a stolen firearm may face imprisonment in state prison for up to 10 years. The bill also amends existing law to allow youths aged 16 or older accused of this new offense to be tried in adult court. Additionally, it includes possession of a stolen firearm or ammunition in the definition of offenses that can constitute a "pattern of criminal street gang activity."

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new felony with 10-year prison term for stolen firearm possession, expands criminalization, and allows 16+ youth to be tried as adults, increasing penalties and restricting defendant rights.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes 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 102: Revise laws related to public defenders for clarity

HB 102 revises the laws governing the Office of State Public Defender, affecting its organizational structure and operations. It establishes a distinction between "conflict" and "nonconflict" regional public defender offices and updates the duties of various division administrators. Key provisions include new responsibilities for administrators in developing strategic plans, managing caseloads, and establishing policies for assigning cases based on experience and complexity, including capital cases. The bill also modifies the Central Services Division's role to include managing contracted services and agency training efforts. These changes aim to clarify how public defense services are delivered to indigent clients.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens public defender system by clarifying roles, improving case assignment, and enhancing defendant representation, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Montana · House May 5, 2025

HB 415: Revise laws on a judge's ability to provide bail to certain defendants

HB 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.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeRestricts bail eligibility for defendants with active warrants, reducing defendant rights without reform intent.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 344: Revise criminal laws.

HB 344 establishes a new type of driving under the influence (DUI) offense. This offense applies to both noncommercial and commercial drivers found to have a specified amount of prohibited substances, other than alcohol or marijuana, in their blood or other bodily fluids while operating a vehicle. The bill amends existing laws regarding drug concentration standards, driver rehabilitation program eligibility, and penalties for driving with a suspended or revoked license to incorporate this new offense.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill creates new DUI offense for drugs (non-alcohol/marijuana), expanding criminalization. This aligns with 'oppose' indicator of expanding criminalization.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Montana · House Apr 25, 2025

HB 267: Revise DUI laws related to enacting Bobby's law

HB 267, also known as "Bobby's Law," creates the new crime of aggravated vehicular homicide while under the influence. This bill applies to individuals who negligently cause another person's death while operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Upon conviction, offenders face mandatory imprisonment ranging from 3 to 30 years, a fine between $10,000 and $50,000, or both. A key provision is that the imposition of this sentence cannot be deferred, meaning it must be served immediately upon conviction. The bill also updates existing statutes to include this new offense as a "serious crime" and to reflect the non-deferrable sentencing.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates mandatory prison terms for DUI-related deaths, expanding criminalization and increasing sentencing severity95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Montana · House Apr 18, 2025

HB 186: Increase size of parole board

HB 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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases parole board size and mandates criminal justice expertise for members, improving decision-making in parole/clemency - aligns with reform goals like expert oversight and fairer sentencing.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ 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