Criminal Justice (Corrections)

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 425: Prohibit incarceration of certain inmates out of state

SB 425 prohibits Montana's Department of Corrections from sending inmates to out-of-state facilities if they have a child under 13 living in Montana, unless parental rights have been terminated or the incarceration is for a sexual offense. This directly affects incarcerated individuals with young children residing in Montana who might otherwise be transferred out of state. The bill amends existing law to add this restriction as a new condition for out-of-state confinement contracts. It does not change current practices for inmates with no minor children in Montana or those with terminated parental rights. The bill died in committee in May 2025 and did not become law.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts out-of-state incarceration for inmates with young children in Montana, promoting family unity and aligning with criminal justice reform goals of reducing negative impacts and improving reintegration.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

signed · Montana · House May 8, 2025

HB 572: Revise MCE prison industries training program laws

HB 572 revises the Montana Correctional Enterprises (MCE) prison industries training program, which affects inmates and the operation of correctional facilities. The bill requires the program to include educational programming and allows MCE to offer vocational programs that support private market demand. It also increases the maximum value of construction projects inmates can perform to $1 million and removes the requirement for MCE to provide products and services through contracts and dealer networks.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds educational/vocational training to reduce recidivism and improve inmate rehabilitation within correctional facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 485: Generally revise laws related to incarceration

SB 485 requires Montana's state and local correctional facilities to provide free hygiene and stationery items to people in custody. Specifically, facilities must supply soap, toilet paper, toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, feminine hygiene products, letter envelopes, writing paper, and postage stamps at no cost upon admission and on request. The bill also mandates that facilities develop a distribution policy ensuring these items are accessible in medical areas and common housing, particularly for those unable to access them in general population. This bill amends existing laws to clarify these requirements and supersedes unfunded mandate laws.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeProvides essential hygiene/stationery items in correctional facilities, promoting humane conditions and rehabilitation - key criminal justice reform elements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 237: Prohibit placement of sentenced defendants in the state forensic mental health facility

HB 237 would prohibit the placement of certain sentenced defendants in the state forensic mental health facility at Galen. The bill amends existing law to specify that individuals found to have a mental disease, disorder, or developmental disability at the time of their offense, and who are committed for treatment, cannot be placed at the Galen facility. Instead, these defendants could be placed in other appropriate correctional, mental health, residential, or developmental disabilities facilities for their custody, care, and treatment. The director of the department would retain the authority to transfer individuals between these alternative facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRedirects mentally ill defendants from forensic facility to appropriate care, promoting rehabilitation over incarceration - aligns with criminal justice reform goals.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates placement in mental health facilities for eligible defendants, ensuring appropriate care under Health Care Services subject.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Mental Health

Track

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 540: Alllow DOC to contract with private corporations to establish and maintain certain facilities and programs

This bill, HB 540, aims to revise the powers of the Department of Corrections (DOC) by allowing it to contract with private corporations to establish and maintain certain facilities and programs. Specifically, it amends existing law regarding who the DOC can contract with for services like prerelease and treatment centers, residential methamphetamine treatment programs, and residential sexual offender treatment programs. While existing law already allows contracting with private,

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables private contracts for correctional treatment programs, expanding rehabilitation services within the corrections system.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables DOC to contract for substance abuse (meth) and sexual offender treatment programs, expanding access to mental health services within corrections. This aligns with healthcare support indicators.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole

Track

signed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 707: Require Corrections to consider inmate family connections during placement

HB 707 requires the Department of Corrections to consider an inmate's attachment to family when making placements or transfers to correctional institutions located outside of the state. This aims to allow inmates to maintain connections with their families, affecting those in state prisons who are moved out-of-state. The bill mandates the department to assess the inmate's ability to maintain these attachments during such placements. It also integrates this new requirement into existing law governing contracts for inmate confinement, particularly when dealing with excessive inmate populations or a lack of adequate state facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires family connection consideration in inmate placement to promote rehabilitation and reduce recidivism, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

signed · Montana · House May 5, 2025

HB 475: Regulate restraints on women while giving childbirth

House Bill 475 restricts the use of physical restraints on inmates known to be pregnant during labor and delivery. It generally prohibits restraints unless there are extraordinary circumstances, such as an individualized determination that the inmate is a flight risk or poses a clear threat to themselves or others. Even in these cases, leg or waist restraints are strictly prohibited. The bill also requires that any applied restraints be the least restrictive necessary and removed when the risk is mitigated or at the request of a healthcare professional.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRestricts physical restraints on pregnant inmates during childbirth, advancing humane corrections practices and protecting civil rights in custody.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRestricts unnecessary restraints on pregnant inmates during labor, protecting maternal health access and safety during childbirth, aligning with healthcare patient rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

signed · Montana · House May 13, 2025

HB 718: Generally revise laws relating to incarceration

HB 718 establishes an Office of Reentry Services within the Montana Department of Labor and Industry. This office is tasked with coordinating supportive services for individuals preparing to exit or exiting incarceration and reentering communities. Its purpose is to facilitate access to programs like job training, job placement, education, housing assistance, transportation, food security, and behavioral health services. The office will collaborate with various state agencies, companies, and stakeholder organizations to achieve these goals. It also requires the department to submit regular reports to legislative committees detailing the services provided, their cost, and the number of individuals served.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes reentry services office to coordinate job training, housing, and health programs, directly reducing recidivism through rehabilitation support.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Probation & Parole