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 No ✓ Supports 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 · 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 No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Montana · Senate May 5, 2025

SB 487: Revising laws related to the Montana end of watch trust

SB 487 revises the laws governing the Montana End of Watch Trust, which provides support to eligible law enforcement officers and their immediate families in cases of death or catastrophic injury in the line of duty. The bill requires applications for catastrophic injury payments to include a workers' compensation determination of permanent and total disability. It also allows legal children of an officer to receive payments from the trust after turning 18 under certain circumstances. Additionally, the Department of Justice is granted rulemaking authority to administer the trust, including processes for payment distribution, application approval, and appeals.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill revises trust to fund support for officers' families, strengthening law enforcement component of criminal justice.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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 absent

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 No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 18, 2025

SB 124: Revise electronic license privacy law

SB 124 revises electronic license privacy law in Montana. It clarifies that displaying an electronic driver's license on a device or handing the device to a peace officer does not grant consent for the officer to search or seize that electronic device. This bill directly affects individuals who use electronic driver's licenses and law enforcement officers, establishing a clear boundary for device privacy during traffic stops or similar interactions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies electronic license display doesn't grant device search consent, protecting privacy during traffic stops - directly aligns with civil rights protection in law enforcement interactions.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyClarifies electronic license privacy, preventing warrantless device searches during traffic stops, directly strengthening data privacy protections in digital contexts.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 17, 2025

SB 132: Generally revise minor in possession laws

SB 132 revises laws for individuals under 21 years of age who possess or unlawfully attempt to purchase alcohol, marijuana, or other intoxicating substances. The bill creates separate crimes for these actions and establishes a tiered penalty system based on the offender's age and the number of prior offenses. Penalties include fines, community service, and mandatory participation in substance abuse information courses, with parents or guardians also required to complete courses for offenders under 18. Repeat offenders may face driver's license confiscation or suspension, chemical dependency assessments, and potential jail time for those 18 and older.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill replaces punitive penalties with substance abuse education and community service for minors, promoting rehabilitation over incarceration in minor possession cases.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

signed · Montana · Senate Apr 17, 2025

SB 280: Revise domestic violence intervention grant requirements

SB 280 revises the grant requirements for Montana's domestic violence intervention program. The bill allows the Montana Board of Crime Control to provide grants to communities. These grants are specifically for funding probation or compliance officers who monitor individuals charged with or convicted of certain domestic violence offenses, such as partner or family member assault, strangulation, or protection order violations, to ensure they follow court-ordered requirements. The legislation also continues to allow grants for courts to implement offender intervention programs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeFunds probation/compliance officers to monitor domestic violence offenders, ensuring court order compliance and reducing recidivism - aligns with strengthening oversight and victim safety in criminal justice reform.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice