Criminal Justice (Corrections)

introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 13, 2025

LC 26: Revise death penalty laws

This bill revises Montana's death penalty laws to establish specific procedures for carrying out executions. It mandates that executions be performed using a lethal injection of an ultra-fast-acting barbiturate combined with a chemical paralytic agent, administered by a person selected by the prison warden who does not need to be a medical professional. The law sets strict timelines for scheduling executions, limits the number of witnesses to 12 including representatives from the media, victim's family, and the condemned person, and requires the warden to maintain confidentiality regarding the identity and training of the executioner. These changes apply to all death sentences in Montana and govern how executions are conducted, supervised, and documented.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill reformulates death penalty procedures to establish clearer execution protocols, representing criminal justice reform efforts.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 14, 2025

LC 2432: Revise crime laws

This bill amends Montana's child welfare laws to explicitly include exposing children to the production or manufacture of fentanyl, heroin, and cocaine as a crime. It directly affects parents, guardians, and other individuals supervising children under 18 by expanding the legal definition of endangering a child's welfare. The key provision makes it a felony offense punishable by up to five years in state prison for knowingly producing these drugs in locations where children might be present or allowing children to be exposed to them. The bill also increases penalties to up to ten years in prison if a child suffers serious bodily injury from such exposure.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands criminal penalties for drug exposure to children, strengthening law enforcement tools and protecting vulnerable populations through enhanced criminal justice measures.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 18, 2025

LC 856: Revise qualifications for teachers of adult basic education or high school equivalency programs at state correctional institutions

This bill establishes a Montana Correctional Education Program within the Department of Corrections to provide inmates with opportunities to earn high school equivalency diplomas and participate in adult basic education. It sets specific qualifications for instructors, requiring them to be at least 18 years old, of good moral character, and hold either an associate or bachelor's degree, a valid teaching certificate from another state, or prior teaching or military training experience. The legislation explicitly states that instructors do not need to hold a Montana teaching certificate, while allowing the Department of Corrections to create policies determining inmate eligibility for the program.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill establishes correctional education program to provide inmates with education opportunities, which promotes rehabilitation and reduces recidivism.90% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes correctional education program to provide inmates with high school equivalency and adult basic education opportunities, expanding educational access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections K-12 Education

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 12, 2025

LC 1575: Regulate restraints on women while giving childbirth

This bill restricts the use of restraints on pregnant inmates during labor and delivery, prohibiting leg and waist restraints entirely while allowing other restraints only in extraordinary circumstances such as when an inmate is a flight risk or poses a threat to themselves or others. The legislation requires that any restraints used be applied in the least restrictive manner necessary and mandates their removal once the flight risk or threat is mitigated or at the request of a healthcare professional. It defines restraints to include handcuffs, shackles, belly chains, and other devices that restrict movement, ensuring these rules apply to all such equipment used in detention centers.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill restricts restraints on pregnant inmates, protecting civil rights and improving humane treatment in corrections, aligning with criminal justice reform principles.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects patient rights during childbirth by restricting restraints, ensuring safe medical care for pregnant inmates.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Women's Health

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 18, 2025

LC 3019: Revise criminal laws related to strip searches

This bill modifies Montana's criminal laws to allow strip searches for individuals who will be held in a jail or correctional facility for more than 12 hours. Currently, strip searches generally require reasonable suspicion that a person is concealing a weapon, contraband, or evidence, but this change creates an exception for those facing extended detention. The amendment applies to all persons arrested or detained for traffic offenses or non-felony crimes who meet the 12-hour housing threshold. Law enforcement officers would be authorized to conduct these searches without needing to demonstrate specific suspicion under the new provision.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands strip search authority without requiring reasonable suspicion for extended detention, reducing defendant rights and weakening privacy protections in corrections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Law Enforcement

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 164: Revise offense of endangering the welfare of children

SB 164 amends Montana's endangering the welfare of children law to prohibit specific medical treatments for children under 16. The bill bans surgical procedures, puberty blockers, and hormone therapies (like estrogen or testosterone) when used to alter a child's appearance or affirm a gender identity inconsistent with their biological sex. Violating this prohibition is classified as a felony, carrying up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine, with harsher penalties if the child suffers serious injury. The law would take effect on January 1, 2026, directly affecting medical providers, caregivers, and children under 16 who might receive these treatments.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeBill expands criminalization by classifying medical treatments as felony offenses, increasing penalties for specific acts. Aligns with OPPOSE indicators: expands criminalization.95% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill bans gender-affirming medical treatments (surgery, puberty blockers, hormone therapy) for minors, restricting access to healthcare services under the guise of child welfare.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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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

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signed · Montana · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 82: Generally revise laws related to crimes against children

HB 82 creates a new criminal offense called "grooming of a child for a sexual offense," defined as using communication (in-person or electronic) to manipulate a child into sexual activity, coerce meetings, distribute explicit material, or exploit authority to build a secret relationship. The bill revises existing laws to include computer-generated child pornography in sexual abuse charges and increases penalties for crimes against children, such as mandatory 100-year prison sentences for offenders targeting children under 12. It directly affects individuals who engage in grooming or sexual exploitation of minors, requiring severe punishments including fines up to $50,000 and mandatory sex offender treatment. The law updates legal definitions to address modern tactics like online interactions while strengthening protections for children under 16.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeIncreases mandatory 100-year sentences and expands criminalization of child-related offenses, aligning with 'oppose' indicators of harsher penalties.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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 · Legislature May 27, 2025

LC 2608: Appropriate funds to the department of corrections to repair and rehabilitate forensic building to accommodate female prisoners

LC 2608 sought to allocate state funds to the Department of Corrections for repairing and upgrading a forensic building to house female inmates. The bill would have directed the department to complete infrastructure repairs to accommodate female prisoners within the facility. However, the bill died in committee on May 27, 2025, without advancing to a vote or becoming law. This procedural funding request did not result in any legislative action.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill allocates state funds for corrections infrastructure repairs to accommodate female prisoners, directly supporting facility maintenance in criminal justice system.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections

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