This bill updates Montana's critical infrastructure protection laws by explicitly including broadband, wired, and wireless communications infrastructure as protected facilities. It amends state statutes to define critical infrastructure more broadly, encompassing telecommunications systems alongside traditional utilities like power plants, water facilities, and natural gas pipelines. The legislation establishes criminal penalties for trespassing on or damaging these facilities, with fines up to $4,500 and imprisonment of up to 18 months for willful acts that could harm operations. These changes directly affect security personnel, law enforcement, and facility operators who manage the newly designated infrastructure assets.
This bill makes it a crime to share explicit AI-generated images or videos of real people without their consent, particularly when the disclosure could cause emotional harm or is done to intimidate or threaten them. It applies to anyone who knowingly or intentionally shares such content, including cases where someone threatens to release it to demand money or other benefits. The law defines "explicit synthetic media" as realistic images or videos created using artificial intelligence that show identifiable individuals in sexual situations they did not actually participate in. Penalties include fines and jail time, with harsher punishments for repeat offenders or cases involving minors, though exceptions exist for reporting crimes, scientific research, and legal proceedings.
This bill updates Montana's laws to improve how state agencies handle public input during rulemaking and to strengthen legislative oversight. It requires agencies to accept and retain public comments electronically, mandating that they provide email addresses and documents online without charging fees. The legislation also clarifies how agencies must notify primary legislative sponsors of proposed rules and requires clearer, plain-language explanations of why rules are needed. Additionally, it establishes procedures for agencies to inform interested parties about rulemaking opportunities and maintain records of who has requested updates on specific rulemaking subjects.
This bill updates Montana's laws regarding digital identification cards used for alcohol service and sales. It requires responsible server and sales training programs to include instruction on verifying government-certified digital ID cards and adds these cards to the list of prohibited fraudulent identification documents. The legislation also amends existing statutes to explicitly include digital identification cards when defining fraudulent age misrepresentation in the context of alcohol sales. These changes directly affect alcohol vendors, training providers, and individuals who may use digital IDs to purchase or consume alcohol.
This bill updates Montana's laws governing how K-12 school districts can share student data with third-party vendors like cloud storage providers and educational software companies. It requires contracts with these vendors to include specific protections, such as ensuring schools retain ownership of student records, prohibiting the use of data for targeted advertising, and mandating clear procedures for parents to review and correct information. The legislation also allows districts to use pre-approved model contracts from privacy-focused groups to simplify compliance and voids contracts that fail to meet these new requirements after a chance to fix them is given.
This bill allows disabled voters in Montana to return their completed ballots electronically using a secure, encrypted system approved by the Secretary of State. It amends existing election laws to permit electronic ballot transmission in federal elections, provided the ballot and affirmation are received by 8 p.m. on election day. The Secretary of State must establish encryption and security standards for the electronic transmission system, and a $10,000 appropriation is included to fund the system's implementation. The changes apply starting with the federal general election in November 2026.
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This bill requires the Montana Medicaid department to create an online portal by May 1, 2026, that allows community assisters to help individuals apply for Medicaid coverage and submit required documents. The portal will enable community assisters to check application status, view notices, report eligibility changes, see required actions, and update contact information for applicants and enrollees. Community assisters are defined as people or organizations that help individuals apply for health coverage under the Montana Medicaid program. The bill also allows applicants to designate one or more community assisters to access these portal features on their behalf.
This bill establishes the Montana Genomic Security Act, which restricts medical and research facilities in the state from using genetic sequencing equipment or software produced by foreign adversaries. It requires facilities to remove prohibited technology and allows them to seek state reimbursement for replacement costs if they had purchased the equipment at least 90 days before the law takes effect. The legislation also mandates that all genetic sequencing data from Montanans be stored within the United States and prohibits remote access to that data unless individuals provide written consent. Additionally, facilities must use reasonable cybersecurity measures to protect genetic information, with penalties for non-compliance.
This bill establishes Montana's "Right to Compute Act," which protects citizens' rights to own and use computational resources like computers and software under state constitutional property and free expression rights. It requires companies operating critical infrastructure facilities controlled by artificial intelligence systems to maintain the ability to disable AI control and revert to human operation within a reasonable timeframe. The law mandates that organizations regularly test and update risk management plans to ensure they can continue operations without relying on AI systems, while also clarifying that these protections do not override existing intellectual property or federal laws.
This bill prohibits content providers from making child sexual abuse material accessible to people in Montana and bars them from profiting from distributing such content to Montanans. It defines "content providers" as those who create, publish, or distribute online content, while excluding basic hosting services and general web browsers. The law allows victims, the Department of Justice, and private individuals to sue for violations, with a 50-year statute of limitations for victim-initiated cases. Remedies available include court orders to stop the behavior, monetary compensation, and punitive damages, with provisions for sharing damages among multiple victims.
