Criminal Justice

died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 921: Constitutional amendment prohibiting distribution or receipt of child pornography

HB 921 is a proposed constitutional amendment that would allow Montana to prohibit and punish the distribution or receipt of child pornography violating federal laws, while creating a private right for individuals to sue violators. It directly affects Montana state and local governments (who could enforce these prohibitions) and any person harmed by such violations (who could file lawsuits). Key provisions include overriding conflicting state laws to enable state enforcement of federal child pornography statutes and granting courts authority to award injunctive relief and attorney fees in successful lawsuits. The amendment requires voter approval at the 2026 general election and would not change existing federal laws, merely enabling Montana to align its enforcement with federal standards.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill strengthens enforcement of child pornography laws via state action and private lawsuits, directly enhancing criminal justice protections for minors.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 289: Revise crime laws

HB 289 aimed to revise Montana's crime laws by expanding the definition of the offense of endangering the welfare of children. The bill sought to include situations where a child is exposed to the production, manufacture, or direct presence of fentanyl, heroin, or cocaine. This would apply to individuals who knowingly engage in these activities in locations where children might reasonably be present. Violations under this specific provision would be classified as a felony, carrying potential penalties of imprisonment, fines, or both.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeExpands criminalization by classifying drug exposure near children as felony, increasing penalties under crime laws.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 116: Provide for attorneys to appear remotely

HB 116 aimed to allow attorneys, particularly public defenders, to appear remotely in court proceedings. The bill would have required all courts to establish a consistent process for these remote appearances. Public defenders would have been permitted to appear remotely for "nonsubstantive hearings," such as arraignments or bond hearings, where the case's final outcome isn't decided. However, a court could still order an attorney to appear in person if there was "good cause," such as a lack of technological resources, and provided advance notice.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables public defenders to appear remotely for nonsubstantive hearings, improving access to legal representation without restricting rights, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 691: Provide for legislative intent regarding the Montana criminal justice data warehouse

HB 691 clarifies the purpose and requirements for Montana's existing criminal justice data warehouse, which collects and stores information from state and local agencies. The bill specifies that the warehouse must include detailed offender data - such as complete criminal histories, sentencing timelines, drug involvement in offenses, and pretrial release outcomes - to help officials make data-driven decisions about the justice system. State agencies, courts, and other entities are required to contribute data to the warehouse while retaining ownership of their information, with strict confidentiality protections outlined. This bill directly affects law enforcement, courts, and correctional agencies by standardizing how they share and use criminal justice data.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates detailed data collection in criminal justice warehouse for data-driven decisions, aligning with reform indicators like improved oversight and evidence-based policy.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 593: Generally revise sexual abuse reporting laws

This bill revises laws concerning the reporting and tracking of child sexual abuse and exploitation cases. It requires county attorneys to gather all investigative materials, request assistance from the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) to identify alleged perpetrators when needed, and certify receipt of reports. County attorneys must also report detailed case statuses, including the number of reports not prosecuted, to the Attorney General twice yearly. The Attorney General is then mandated to aggregate this information and report it to specific legislative committees, while DPHHS must advise the Attorney General on uncharged cases it believes warrant prosecution.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates improved reporting, tracking, and oversight of child abuse cases, enhancing accountability in criminal justice system per Criminal Procedure subjects.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 816: Generally revise DUI penalties

HB 816, titled "Generally revise DUI penalties," aims to update laws related to Driving Under the Influence. The bill proposes to increase penalties for DUI offenses, directly affecting individuals convicted of these crimes. It also includes amendments to the definition of "misdemeanor" and other general definitions within the Montana Code Annotated.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases DUI penalties, aligning with indicators of restricting criminal justice reform by harshening sentencing without reform elements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 702: Generally revise laws relating to criminal acts

HB 702 creates a new crime for operating drones over Montana correctional facilities without permission, punishable by 1-5 years in prison. It revises assault laws to specifically include intentionally making bodily fluid contact with correctional staff, healthcare providers, or emergency responders during arrests, incarceration, or transport. The bill also updates rules for possessing or transferring prohibited items (like cellphones, drugs, or weapons) into prisons, with harsher penalties for weapons (up to 20 years) and drugs (up to 10 years), while adding clarity about notice requirements for minor contraband. These changes directly affect prison staff, inmates, visitors, and anyone near correctional facilities.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for drone operations, expands assault definitions, and harshens prison contraband rules, strengthening punitive measures without reform elements.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 236: Provide for evaluations of defendants in detention centers or state prisons

HB 236 aimed to allow mental health evaluations for criminal defendants, used to determine their fitness to proceed in court, to be conducted within detention centers or state prisons. It directed the Department of Public Health and Human Services to create rules for these facilities, covering aspects like defendant care, security for evaluators, and the use of remote communication for examinations. The bill also outlined which entities, such as the courts or public defender's office, would be responsible for covering the costs of these evaluations and related expenses. This would have impacted criminal defendants undergoing such evaluations and the correctional facilities hosting them.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates mental health evaluations for defendants' fitness to proceed, aligning with criminal justice reform by protecting defendant rights and improving court proceedings through proper mental health assessments.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 93: Establish compensation for wrongful conviction

HB 93 sought to establish a system for compensating individuals who were wrongly convicted of felony crimes and later exonerated. It would allow eligible claimants, defined as those imprisoned for felonies they did not commit, to file a civil action against the state or county of conviction. To receive compensation, claimants would need to prove their actual innocence by a preponderance of the evidence and waive other legal remedies against the state. The bill also provided for a $5,000 transition assistance grant, expungement of the conviction, and outlined how damages and legal costs would be paid, excluding compensation for crimes that are now legal.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeCompensates wrongfully convicted, promoting accountability and civil rights in criminal justice reform90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 674: Revise code commissioner duties to include repealing unconstitutional policies from Montana code

HB 674 proposes to update the responsibilities of Montana's Code Commissioner. It would add a new duty requiring the commissioner to recommend legislation that eliminates laws from the Montana Code that courts have found to be unconstitutional and permanently blocked from being enforced. This change aims to ensure the published code reflects only valid, enforceable statutes. It directly affects the Code Commissioner's review process and the accuracy of the official state legal code.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves unconstitutional laws from Montana Code, protecting civil rights and ensuring valid statutes in criminal justice system per court rulings.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice

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