Criminal Justice

died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 569: Revise laws related to perjury and false swearing

HB 569 sought to revise laws related to perjury and false swearing. The bill proposed changes to the penalties for these offenses, introducing mandatory minimum jail sentences and adjusting maximum terms and fines. For perjury, the punishment would shift from state prison to county jail, while still requiring a minimum 6-month term. For false swearing, new mandatory minimums for jail time and revised fines were introduced. Additionally, the bill mandated that credible allegations of both perjury and false swearing be investigated by an agency independent of the judiciary.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIntroduces mandatory minimum jail sentences for perjury/false swearing, increasing punitive measures rather than advancing reform or protections.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 437: Provide for dismissal of certain criminal charges against health care provider

HB 437 would have allowed health care providers in Montana to request the dismissal of criminal charges related to their professional conduct. If a provider filed such a motion, the state would be required to prove in court that the provider's actions were knowingly or purposely committed, not merely negligent, and that they were outside the accepted standards of care. If the state failed to meet this burden of proof, the court would dismiss the complaint, information, or indictment against the health care provider. The bill aimed to provide protections for health care providers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProtects health care providers from criminal negligence charges by requiring state to prove intent, advancing defendant rights in criminal procedure.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 542: Revise DUI offense penalties for third offense to be a felony

House Bill 542 aims to revise the penalties for individuals convicted of driving under the influence (DUI) offenses. It increases the minimum imprisonment terms for first convictions from 24 to 72 consecutive hours, and for second convictions from 7 to 30 days. While the bill's title indicates an intent to reclassify a third DUI offense as a felony, the provided text

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill increases DUI penalties (72h jail for first, 30d for second, third offense as felony), directly increasing mandatory sentences which opposes criminal justice reform trends.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 433: Preserve right to keep and bear arms via a presumption of innocence

HB 433 sought to protect an individual's right to keep and bear arms while awaiting trial. The bill proposed that a person could not be deprived of their Second Amendment or Montana constitutional firearm rights before a conviction. This protection would apply unless the individual was charged with a forcible felony or a crime of violence involving a weapon, as defined in statute 45-2-101. The bill aimed to preserve these rights during the pre-trial phase for most offenses.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticePreserves defendant's firearm rights pre-conviction, aligning with civil rights protection in criminal justice proceedings95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 709: Create the crime of human smuggling

HB 709 sought to establish the crime of "human smuggling" in Montana, targeting individuals and entities who knowingly transport or harbor people who have unlawfully entered the United States without federal inspection. Individuals convicted of this crime would face penalties including imprisonment, a substantial fine, or both. Entities found guilty would lose their eligibility for certain state tax exemptions. Additionally, the bill included provisions for the criminal forfeiture of property, such as vehicles and funds, if used in or derived from the crime of human smuggling.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates new crime of human smuggling, expanding criminalization without reform elements per indicators.90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill criminalizes transporting/harboring undocumented immigrants with penalties, increasing state enforcement against activities aiding undocumented individuals, directly opposing immigrant protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 635: Revise human rights laws to prohibit diversity, equity, and inclusion programs

HB 635 proposes to prohibit state and local government agencies from funding, establishing, or supporting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. It would prevent these agencies from requiring employees to participate in DEI programs or spending public funds on related services or staff. The bill defines DEI programs as activities that focus on describing power structures, methods to dismantle them, or advancing theories like implicit bias or systemic oppression. However, it includes exceptions for complying with federal law, specific state human rights laws, court orders, and offering sexual harassment training. This legislation directly affects state and local government agencies and their employees in Montana.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill prohibits DEI programs addressing systemic oppression and implicit bias - key components of criminal justice reform. This restricts initiatives to reduce bias in law enforcement and courts, aligning with 'oppose' indicators.80% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentProhibits government funding/support for DEI programs addressing workplace discrimination, directly restricting employment equality initiatives under Labor & Employment protections.85% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

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signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 514: Criminalize use of real and digitally fabricated sexually explicit images

HB 514 revises Montana's privacy in communications laws, specifically targeting the non-consensual use of sexually explicit images. The bill makes it an offense to publish, distribute, or disclose real or "digitally fabricated" sexually explicit images of an identifiable person without their consent, especially with intent to harm or extort. It also criminalizes possessing and threatening to disclose such images to obtain money or valuables. "Digitally fabricated" is defined as media created using technical means, like artificial intelligence, to falsely depict an individual engaging in sexual conduct. Penalties for these offenses range from a misdemeanor for a first conviction to a felony for subsequent convictions.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill criminalizes non-consensual sharing of explicit images, expanding criminalization scope. Aligns with 'oppose' indicator of expanded criminalization.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyCriminalizes non-consensual distribution of explicit images (including digitally fabricated), strengthening data privacy protections under Information Technology subjects.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 621: Allow a local first response entity to establish a peer support program

HB 621 allows local first responder entities, including police departments, sheriff's offices, fire departments, and emergency medical service providers, to establish peer support programs. These programs must have a written policy that outlines qualifications for peer supporters, defines peer support sessions, and ensures confidentiality for participants. The bill prohibits qualified peer supporters from testifying about the content of peer support sessions, with exceptions if an employee has committed or plans a crime, or indicates intent to harm themselves or others.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables peer support programs for first responders, enhancing officer well-being and accountability, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.80% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables peer support programs for first responders' mental health, expanding access to mental health services as a core healthcare component.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes mandatory peer support programs for first responders, enhancing workplace mental health and safety protections through confidentiality and written policies, aligning with workplace safety indicators.85% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 575: Generally revise the proceedings in which a public defender may be assigned

HB 575 revises the circumstances under which a public defender may be assigned in court proceedings. It specifically authorizes courts to assign a public defender to a parent facing involuntary termination of their parental rights. The bill also allows courts to order a public defender to serve as a member of a treatment court team. These changes expand the scope of public defender services to include these specific situations.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands public defender access to parental rights cases and treatment courts, strengthening defendant representation and aligning with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Criminal Justice

signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 117: Establish criminal justice data warehouse priorities

HB 117 establishes project priorities for the state's criminal justice data warehouse, affecting the Board of Crime Control, the Criminal Justice Oversight Council, and various state and local criminal justice agencies. It directs the Board of Crime Control to focus on tasks like creating unique identifiers to link data across agencies, acquiring specialized software for data management, and integrating more local criminal justice data. The bill also mandates regular reporting on progress to legislative committees and appropriates over $1.4 million in general funds for software, staff positions, and judicial data contributions.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes data integration priorities for criminal justice agencies, enabling better oversight and data-driven reforms per Criminal Procedure subject focus.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Criminal Justice