Technology

introduced · Montana · Legislature Dec 30, 2024

LC 2712: Revise electronic license privacy law

This bill amends Montana's electronic license privacy law to clarify that showing an electronic driver's license on a device does not allow police to search the device. The change directly affects drivers who use digital licenses and law enforcement officers who may request access to a phone during traffic stops. By explicitly stating that displaying the license is not consent to search, the legislation protects the privacy of data stored on personal electronic devices. This update ensures that law enforcement must still obtain proper legal authority before accessing a driver's phone beyond the license display itself.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill protects civil rights by limiting police search authority during traffic stops, enhancing accountability and privacy in criminal justice interactions.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects digital privacy by clarifying that displaying an e-license doesn't consent to device searches, strengthening consumer data rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Data Privacy

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 9, 2025

LC 2877: Adopt the psychology interjurisdictional compact

This bill adopts the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact to allow licensed psychologists to practice across state lines through telepsychology and temporary in-person services. It creates a system where psychologists licensed in one compact state can provide remote mental health services to clients in other participating states without needing separate licenses in each location. The legislation also establishes a coordinated database for sharing licensure and disciplinary information between states to protect public safety and includes rules for temporary practice authorization and adverse action notifications. This agreement applies only to temporary practice and telepsychology, not to permanent in-person practice, and requires psychologists to follow the laws of each state where they provide services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands access to mental health services by allowing cross-state telepsychology practice, improving patient access to care without requiring multiple licenses.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill enables telepsychology services across state lines, expanding access to mental health care through digital platforms and technology.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Mental Health

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 5, 2025

LC 3009: Revise taxes for class 17 data center property

This bill amends Montana's property tax classification system to update how data centers are categorized and taxed. It extends the construction timeline for data center property from 15 years to 25 years and revises ownership requirements for qualifying facilities. The legislation also clarifies definitions for electrical generation facilities and telecommunications infrastructure, ensuring these assets are properly classified under existing tax rules. Additionally, it maintains the current 5-year tax exemption for fiber optic and coaxial cable while requiring reinvestment of tax savings into new infrastructure to preserve the benefit.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill updates tax classifications for data centers, likely generating revenue for state budget while clarifying tax rules for infrastructure development.75% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill updates tax classification for data centers and extends construction timelines, supporting technology infrastructure development and digital infrastructure growth.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Incentives Broadband Access Telecommunications

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 21, 2025

LC 589: Prohibit sale of electronic data to the federal government

This bill establishes that individuals own their electronic data and requires companies holding that data to act as trustees for the owners. It prohibits selling electronic data to the federal government without the individual's explicit consent and mandates that any sale provide actual compensation related to the data's value. The law also prevents contracts from forcing people to give up their data rights and requires permanent deletion of a deceased person's data unless they previously designated someone to inherit it. These provisions apply to Montana residents and affect businesses, service providers, and government agencies that collect or store personal information.

Topics ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill protects data privacy by prohibiting unauthorized data sales to federal government and establishing individual data ownership rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Nov 18, 2024

LC 251: Provide for attorneys to appear remotely

This bill allows public defense attorneys to participate in certain court hearings remotely using two-way audio and video technology. It specifically applies to nonsubstantive hearings such as arraignments, bond hearings, and scheduling conferences, where the final outcome of the case is not decided. Courts retain the authority to require attorneys to appear in person if there is good cause, such as a lack of available technology, and must provide written justification at least five business days before the hearing. The legislation also establishes clear definitions for remote appearance and nonsubstantive hearings to ensure consistent implementation across Montana courts.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enhances access to legal representation through remote technology, improving efficiency and defendant rights in criminal proceedings.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill promotes remote access to legal services using technology, enhancing digital equity and access to justice through two-way audio/video capabilities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 18, 2025

LC 1525: Revise student online protection laws related to postsecondary opportunities

This bill updates Montana's student data privacy laws by clarifying definitions related to online platforms used in K-12 education and removing restrictions that could limit postsecondary opportunities. It amends existing statutes to explicitly exclude postsecondary credit courses and work-based learning programs from the definition of K-12 school purposes, allowing students to use certain online applications for college-level work without triggering additional privacy protections. The legislation also refines how "protected information" and "pupil records" are defined to ensure clarity for schools, technology providers, and students regarding what data is covered under privacy rules. By making these definitions more precise, the bill aims to reduce confusion about which online tools and data require special handling while maintaining privacy safeguards for student information.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill removes restrictions on postsecondary opportunities and clarifies definitions to allow college-level work without privacy barriers, expanding educational access.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill clarifies definitions to allow students to use online applications for college work without privacy restrictions, supporting digital access and educational technology integration.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Data Privacy

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 8, 2025

LC 294: Generally revise student data laws to enhance privacy

This bill updates Montana's student data laws to strengthen privacy protections within the statewide K-12 data system. It establishes a "right to be forgotten" allowing students and parents to request deletion of their education data, with specific exceptions for legal compliance, funding requirements, or contracts. The law requires the Office of Public Instruction to provide accessible methods for submitting deletion requests and mandates that data be removed within 45 days, with limited extension options. Additionally, the bill prohibits using Social Security numbers in any unique identifiers that link education and workforce data.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens student data privacy protections, enhancing educational access and safeguarding student information within K-12 systems85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill strengthens student data privacy protections and establishes deletion rights, directly supporting digital rights and data privacy within technology systems.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Consumer Data Protection Data Privacy

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 13, 2025

LC 1665: Emphasize media literacy in legislative goals for education

This bill amends Montana's state education goals to explicitly include media literacy as a priority for public elementary and secondary schools. It requires schools to work with parents to teach students skills for accessing, analyzing, evaluating, creating, and acting using various forms of communication. The legislation also aims to reduce students' vulnerability to disinformation, misinformation, propaganda, and indoctrination. By adding this as a formal legislative goal, the bill ensures media literacy becomes a standard part of the state's educational framework alongside other existing goals like financial literacy and critical thinking.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill strengthens education by adding media literacy as a formal goal, enhancing student skills and reducing vulnerability to misinformation.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill promotes media literacy and digital skills to reduce vulnerability to disinformation, strengthening students' technology engagement and critical thinking.75% confidence

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Feb 18, 2025

LC 3970: Generally revise usage of artificial intelligence in certain health insurance

This bill establishes new rules for health insurance companies in Montana that use artificial intelligence to review medical claims and determine coverage. It requires insurers to ensure AI systems base decisions on individual patient medical history and clinical circumstances rather than relying solely on group data, while also mandating regular audits and prohibiting the use of AI to directly deny or delay care. The legislation maintains that final decisions on medical necessity must be made by licensed physicians, not automated systems, and gives the state insurance commissioner authority to enforce compliance through existing penalties.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects patient rights by requiring AI to consider individual medical history and prohibiting AI from directly denying care, strengthening healthcare decision-making.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill regulates AI use in health insurance to protect patient data privacy and ensure fair treatment, strengthening consumer protections in technology applications.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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introduced · Montana · Legislature Jan 9, 2025

LC 1339: Limit government use of AI systems

This bill restricts how Montana state and local governments can use artificial intelligence systems by banning certain harmful applications and requiring transparency. It prohibits using AI for cognitive behavioral manipulation, discriminatory classification, deceptive purposes, or most public space surveillance, with exceptions for locating missing persons and existing facial surveillance programs. The law also mandates that any AI-generated public materials must be labeled as AI-produced and requires a trained human official to review and approve any AI decisions affecting individual rights or privileges. These provisions aim to establish clear boundaries and accountability measures for government AI use while allowing continued use in other contexts.

Topics ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill restricts government use of AI systems by banning harmful applications and imposing transparency requirements, limiting technological deployment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

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