Technology

signed · Montana · House Apr 7, 2025

HB 249: Include digital identifications in alcohol, tobacco, and marijuana laws

HB 249 allows businesses selling alcohol, tobacco, or marijuana to accept digital versions of government-issued IDs (like phone-based licenses) for age verification. It directly affects retailers in these industries and customers using digital IDs. The bill requires businesses to handle digital ID data strictly: they may not sell or transfer the data and must permanently delete it within 180 days after use. These rules apply to all age-restricted sales, including tobacco products under Section 16-11-305 and marijuana transactions under Section 16-12-104.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires strict data handling for digital IDs: prohibits sale/transfer and mandates 180-day deletion, enhancing privacy protections in tech transactions.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Online Safety

passed · Montana · House May 1, 2025

HR 3: Resolution to protect online personally identifiable information

This resolution from the Montana House of Representatives urges the Montana Congressional Delegation to immediately secure federal databases containing Montanans' personally identifiable information. It expresses concern that a new federal Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has gained access to sensitive data, including names, addresses, and social security numbers, without clear oversight or usage guidelines.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill explicitly aims to protect personally identifiable information from unauthorized federal access, strengthening data privacy safeguards as a core technology policy concern.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 10: Long-range information technology appropriations

HB 10 appropriates over $39 million for various information technology (IT) capital projects across multiple state agencies for the biennium ending June 30, 2027. It transfers funds from the general fund to the Long-Range Information Technology Program (LRITP) account to support these initiatives. The bill funds projects such as cybersecurity enhancements, system modernizations, and new business applications for departments like Administration, Corrections, and Public Health and Human Services. All funded projects require approval from the chief information officer and budget director for their design, implementation, and data security plans, emphasizing safeguards against unauthorized access and promoting data sharing among agencies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesHB 10 appropriates $39M for IT capital projects via state budget transfers, directly funding essential state IT infrastructure modernization and cybersecurity under fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyFunds cybersecurity enhancements and IT modernization, directly advancing technology infrastructure per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Cybersecurity

died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 453: Prohibit sale of electronic data to the federal government

SB 453, the "Electronic Data Ownership Act," would establish that electronic data created by Montana residents belongs to them personally, requiring entities holding such data to hold it in trust. It prohibits selling this data to the federal government without the resident’s explicit consent and restricts disclosure to federal authorities except under specific legal orders (like subpoenas), requiring notice to the individual unless court-ordered delays apply. The bill also mandates actual payment for data sales, bans unfair contract terms forcing data forfeiture, and prohibits inheriting data upon death without prior election. The bill died in committee in May 2025 and did not become law.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits unauthorized sale of resident data to federal government, requiring explicit consent and strengthening privacy protections per bill's core provisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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died · Montana · Senate May 23, 2025

SB 452: Require disclosures of AI use by online media manufacturers

SB 452 would require online media manufacturers (not government entities) to disclose when artificial intelligence curates or controls content users see and provide an opt-out option. It mandates visible markers on AI-generated content - like watermarks or labels - to alert users, even if original markers are removed. The bill defines "artificial intelligence" as systems that mimic human behavior to shape information flow and specifies "markers" as clear visual or audio disclosures. The bill died in committee in May 2025 and is not law.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRequires AI content transparency and opt-outs for consumers, aligning with data privacy and consumer protection regulations in tech policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 508: Emphasize media literacy in legislative goals for education

HB 508 aimed to establish media literacy as a legislative goal for Montana's public elementary and secondary schools. The bill proposed amending state law to include strengthening media literacy within the state's educational objectives. This would involve teaching students to access, analyze, evaluate, create, and act using various forms of communication. Additionally, it sought to help students reduce their susceptibility to disinformation, misinformation, propaganda, and indoctrination. The overall goal was to integrate these media literacy skills into the learning environment for all public school students.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill explicitly adds media literacy to educational objectives, strengthening student skills in analyzing media and combating disinformation per legislative goals.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyTeaches media literacy to combat disinformation, enhancing digital literacy skills related to technology use and information technology education.90% confidence

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signed · Montana · House May 19, 2025

HB 513: Revise laws related to use of name, voice, and likeness of individuals and penalties for unauthorized use

HB 513 establishes property rights for individuals in their name, voice, and likeness, making these rights transferable and descendible for a period after their death. The bill prohibits the unauthorized creation, distribution, or use of digital voice replicas or digital depictions of an individual. Those who violate these provisions may face significant financial penalties, including actual damages and profits from the unauthorized use. However, the bill includes exceptions for uses like news reporting, commentary, criticism, scholarship, satire, or parody.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProtects digital privacy by granting property rights to name/voice/likeness and penalizing unauthorized digital replicas, aligning with data privacy indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection

died · Montana · House May 22, 2025

HB 408: Revise laws to protect children from obscene content through electronic devices

HB 408 requires all smartphones and tablets activated in Montana after January 1, 2026, to include automatic filters blocking obscene content for minors (under 18). Manufacturers face civil liability if filters fail to activate for minors, while parents/guardians can sue manufacturers for damages if filters are disabled by others (excluding parents). The bill mandates age verification during device setup, automatic filter activation for minors, and penalties up to $50,000 per violation for noncompliance. The bill died in the legislative process on May 22, 2025, and never became law.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyMandates tech manufacturers to implement child safety filters and age verification, regulating devices for consumer protection under information technology subject.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Online Safety

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signed · Montana · House May 5, 2025

HB 397: Revise laws related to privacy in mental health digital service

HB 397 establishes confidentiality standards for mental health digital services. It defines these services as mobile applications or websites that collect, use, or access information related to an individual's mental health or substance use disorder, market themselves as facilitating such services, and use the information for diagnosis, treatment, or management. The bill subjects these services to existing health care information disclosure and confidentiality provisions. It also provides for enforcement and remedies for individuals whose information is disclosed in violation of these standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes confidentiality standards for mental health digital services, protecting patient privacy under existing healthcare confidentiality laws, aligning with patient rights and mental health support.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyHB 397 extends existing health privacy laws to digital mental health services, enforcing confidentiality standards for data handling in technology platforms, thus protecting user privacy.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse Digital Government

died · Montana · House May 20, 2025

HB 556: Generally revise usage of artificial intelligence in certain health insurance

House Bill 556 regulates how health insurance issuers use artificial intelligence (AI) for reviewing and managing healthcare services. It prohibits AI, algorithms, or other software tools from solely determining medical necessity or denying, delaying, or modifying healthcare services. Instead, medical necessity determinations must be made by licensed healthcare professionals, considering individual patient history and circumstances, not just group data. The bill also requires AI tools to be applied fairly, avoid discrimination, and be open to audit, making non-compliance an unfair claim settlement practice.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits AI from solely determining medical necessity, requiring licensed professionals to make decisions based on individual patient history, protecting patient rights.92% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates AI in health insurance to prevent algorithmic decisions without human oversight, aligning with consumer protection indicators by requiring licensed professionals for medical necessity determinations.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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