[{"_1":2,"_124":-5,"_125":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6122331,"mediaKeyId","2695239-e1db920cbf6b15d85163e6a83f848d0f","parentId",2695239,"title","Committee concurs in bill removing gender and racial balance requirements for state appointments","audioSeconds",1754,"startMs",3212000,"endMs",4966000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2695239-e1db920cbf6b15d85163e6a83f848d0f&start=3212&end=4966","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2695239-e1db920cbf6b15d85163e6a83f848d0f/thumbnail_3212000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6122331/Montana/Committee-concurs-in-bill-removing-gender-and-racial-balance-requirements-for-state-appointments","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122331-965cf16d2ac42bd4d155b18c60976549/orig.mp4?Expires=1775797344&Signature=JKggeFoRy1u4tlQjK5qKVF~yafwP6KtUi5JJLHXg-HBUHZoMSQBLXMa1L9vNr4pv0MvTlzOgOSvKNUyzxogZNIS0H2GhcuDCeBamDRB7czkkraxpSEm9L7TrPCggMG4MBeU~89anR6zxB1FH-Y5nh3LsZ3Ebrr5WrHtcZO6AtWNhmlp~8S7xig2JGLsmdrURHl1IMyYPHTp-g5X3vgZZn-BWQk2KPslrjgGP4KN5VNccioL5t2zX6Hk5fWhhmSinit~mEoGgW0QyGmZgnIjwnu5obh0kRtor89TZMz9U3sbO~0EI~6Cax5PX7FvZIQAGjCaSYWOD84XoZ--HcvKOog__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Montana Legislature","date","2025-03-19T00:00:00Z","article","Representative Kayla Hinkle presented House Bill 215, which would eliminate language in state code that directs appointing authorities to take “positive action to attain gender balance and proportional representation of minorities resident in Montana to the greatest extent possible.” Hinkle argued the provision is outdated, has not been meaningfully implemented and could be seen as discriminatory.

Proponents included Ed Hallan (testifying as a private citizen), Patrick Webb representing the Montana Family Foundation, Kylene Lingren of the Pacific Legal Foundation, and Philip Genabine of Do No Harm Action. Witnesses argued the change refocuses appointments on objective merit and avoids what they described as legally problematic race- or gender-based selection criteria. Lingren cited recent litigation and U.S. Supreme Court precedent on equal protection as supporting the move.

Senators asked how the change would affect outreach and affirmative recruitment. Senator Olson and others emphasized that existing language encourages actively seeking diverse applicants and asked whether removing it would discourage that outreach. Proponents responded that nothing in the bill prevents appointing authorities from recruiting broadly, and that merit-based selection does not preclude diversity. Senator Mansella and others discussed how the statutory language had not been consistently implemented since its enactment in the 1990s.

The committee took executive action. Senator Ricky moved to concur on HB 215. The committee passed the motion by voice vote; the chair announced House Bill 215 had been concurred in and Senator Mansella volunteered to run the bill on the Senate floor.

Ending: HB 215 was concurred in by the Senate Judiciary Committee after extensive testimony from policy and legal groups; senators asked follow-up questions about outreach and enforcement.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Senate Judiciary - Wednesday, Mar 19, 2025 07:59 - 09:35","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Judiciary Committee concurred in House Bill 215, which removes statutory language encouraging gender balance and proportional minority representation on state boards and commissions.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature MT, Montana","taxId",77694,"location","Montana","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6122341,"Sponsor seeks to classify nonconsensual drugging as assault; committee debates scope and exceptions",1338,1643000,2981000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2695239-e1db920cbf6b15d85163e6a83f848d0f&start=1643&end=2981","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2695239-e1db920cbf6b15d85163e6a83f848d0f/thumbnail_1643000.jpg","/articles/6122341/Montana/Sponsor-seeks-to-classify-nonconsensual-drugging-as-assault-committee-debates-scope-and-exceptions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122341-c68caec385f1228ab751036fd4d887c8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775797344&Signature=Vrcn9kg~BaTH3OiGY6TctUBlB-awQOJV1G5KAfKQih~QtdTDisoRZ-GAMMn2q5AfWoJl50gj19HOh~SoL8VXAs4-jLs-1VdZslbwUTbD~YA3eJjAjIiBB6ANRYYEVk0sLUcX8eXeUPi~lD165TKzN3tDH~5raLF33KBKgaI8xtTG8j~oprGgyJyZyJClHD3hSsP1S-SBQs69rkKhEefkXphfNSKWi4gN79WFLZkZ6LnE0JVo-MzTmomWygNGzdfE3cZR0IxpJHF-kHzJVKJFf0Hh8F9B3wvAsM1vitMUJFMFkKbGSPjKo6WTmTc5VUo7p54TuNpd9YVkJX3fDL5ixg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Neil Duram opened the hearing on House Bill 174, saying the measure would revise Montana’s assault law to make it an offense to purposely or knowingly provide certain drugs to another person without that person’s consent. Duram read the bill’s core language and said the bill’s intent is that “any drugs that go into my body, I need to give consent for.” He described exceptions for medical providers and for administration of opioid reversal medication such as naloxone.

Duram cited commonly referenced “date-rape” drugs (Rohypnol, flunitrazepam, gamma-hydroxybutyrate) and broader controlled-substance schedules (schedules 1–5) plus alcohol and diphenhydramine (Benadryl) as covered by the bill. He said the measure is intended to address nonconsensual drugging in contexts that can harm a person’s health, reputation or employment prospects.

Informational witness Eldena Bear Don’t Walk from the Office of the Public Defender provided the committee with the fiscal-note overview. Committee members asked whether the statutory approach duplicates general assault statutes and whether listing schedules, rather than using an informed-consent framework, is preferable. Senator Olson asked whether the conduct could already be prosecuted under existing assault provisions; Bear Don’t Walk said assault statutes could cover many cases but noted that specificity can prevent gaps.

Several senators raised concerns about parental or guardian administration of medications to minors and about day-care or caregiver conduct. Senator Emrich asked whether a parent who gives a child a prescribed medication or an over-the-counter dose could be criminalized; Duram said he intended parental consent to cover standard caregiver decisions but was open to drafting clarifications and welcomed friendly amendments. Senator Mansella suggested adding explicit parental consent language for minors; the sponsor said parental consent could address many scenarios but hesitated to require written consent.

Senators also discussed whether a simpler statutory framing focused on “informed consent” would accomplish the sponsor’s goal without enumerating schedules. Duram said he favors specificity to avoid vagueness and potential loopholes. No formal committee vote on HB 174 was recorded during the hearing.

Ending: The sponsor invited amendments to clarify parental-consent exceptions and other drafting details; committee work was left to staff and counsel.","House Bill 174 would make it an assault to intentionally provide certain drugs to another person without that person’s consent, while exempting medical providers and naloxone administration.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6122346,"Bill would restore businesses, governments as eligible victims in youth-court restitution",4314,358000,4672000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2695239-e1db920cbf6b15d85163e6a83f848d0f&start=358&end=4672","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2695239-e1db920cbf6b15d85163e6a83f848d0f/thumbnail_358000.jpg","/articles/6122346/Montana/Bill-would-restore-businesses-governments-as-eligible-victims-in-youth-court-restitution","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122346-03d878b2a7633ae08d99ed6be8e3ac44/orig.mp4?Expires=1775797344&Signature=f6qLTbDmn~MEvTDzJ7PJBim-pcQpLihLsXrvFE80axhNNZ4kFHOpuUTvWQSWhtmSOgrLL9bUaAmwnCTPyxbvvhn8PCCZZFJsKxEYuLEquxKthVtcDI4E0M01ouMEp7duM29jw2V80Prr5KA6CbyKFJioFRgUbUDXlreNxWE6hpYQ3u4k9Q7y26Rd3h5tb9AujaioVeOCBf4-mm4zI7-~opCRzgM82riZX4oMbLJEnhb54YkztlZzYMdXVIz7tajVBfcWa8jPmmyhcbXMCkArssYJ5nOYgh3jYPeL2f8A-BcTuSE1o6Zr-5MQRqtjLOwB31InafLFfy3jEhbEUbLrwg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Neil Duram introduced House Bill 173 to the Senate Judiciary Committee, saying the bill would strike the word “natural” from the statutory definition of “victim” in the Youth Court Act (41-5-103) so corporations, businesses and government entities can be compensated when a young person damages property.

Duram said the change responds to incidents in which public or corporate property (he cited ball fields) could not be awarded restitution because the statute limited “victim” to a “natural person.” “That was the moment that I had the realization that I had caused some harm, and I explained that I would do my best to get that fixed. Hence, House Bill 173,” Duram said.

The bill drew opposition from civil-rights and defense witnesses who told the committee HB 173 is duplicative of existing civil remedies and risks imposing financial penalties that research shows can harm youth reentry. Henry Seaton of the ACLU of Montana said the bill is “ineffective and not evidence based,” arguing increased restitution obligations often hinder, rather than help, rehabilitation. “These financial punishments have been proven to be ineffective deterrents of crime and all they really do is harm a youth’s ability to reenter society successfully,” Seaton said.

Michelle Lyday of the Office of State Public Defender, testifying on her own time, said the 2023 change that added the word “natural” aligned youth court with its rehabilitative purpose and noted that corporations, governments and organizations can pursue civil claims outside youth court. Lyday cited statistics from the Montana Supreme Court Office of Court Administrators’ youth-court report, saying restitution ordered in early 2022 totaled about $1,027,141 and that monthly totals in early 2023 averaged more than $13,000 for the period she reviewed; she urged more time to study effects of the earlier change.

Tom Billtein, Youth Court Services bureau chief in the Office of Court Administrators, described existing safeguards in youth-court restitution practice, including judicial assessment of a youth’s ability to pay and judicial authority to reassess orders over time. “There’s a lot of safeguards within the Youth Court Act that provide for...we have to assess the youth’s ability to pay,” Billtein said.

Committee members discussed drafting options. Senator Mansella requested an amendment; the chair said the committee would leave amendment work to the sponsor and staff and scheduled follow-up. No formal committee action on HB 173 was recorded during the hearing.

Ending: The committee left HB 173 open for amendment; Senator Mansella indicated he would prepare an amendment and the sponsor said staff would coordinate details after the hearing.","Representative Neil Duram introduced House Bill 173 to allow corporations, businesses and government entities to be considered victims eligible for restitution under the Youth Court Act.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6122336,"Committee concurs in bill requiring prosecutors to notify AG when noncitizens are not prosecuted",1838,3004000,4842000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2695239-e1db920cbf6b15d85163e6a83f848d0f&start=3004&end=4842","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2695239-e1db920cbf6b15d85163e6a83f848d0f/thumbnail_3004000.jpg","/articles/6122336/Montana/Committee-concurs-in-bill-requiring-prosecutors-to-notify-AG-when-noncitizens-are-not-prosecuted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122336-1ac309bb1c03b22f6c52bb17a7459e2d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775797344&Signature=NsSwZUN46EU2wDlFm6lV5T~qB42og0baSONxAqC3BUNLnpMiFBSd-zZMKf8wZqFSwG3vddnJtXOQWgln7APkhv7Uk2LqO1Q2X9ewNOmdcYxOYqWl5HP8sKiUcIDxfZCDk~-XxT2VFkI3hECkRyuzs2WDMFD9Qvs1JK975YREM0bEg9owjB9J~e1KBW0qESkVj12V6FQjqnd6X8lY0Nba4fRPi16ultpp5rEmuNWs--08lj4Gejmg8gqvE4KCkt5L81Ea4iiBE~vIpzkm~2u3uNH3kEYczijznDV0-W3mziuxMZiIJRYmSFIjGRM30w6SafKRPOYkwCEq9lrkwEKFiw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Kayla Hinkle introduced House Bill 214, saying the bill would codify that the state may prosecute noncitizens who commit state crimes and would require county prosecutors to notify the attorney general when they decline to prosecute an alleged noncitizen offender. Hinkle described the measure as closing so-called “catch and release” gaps and said it would ensure consistent accountability for crimes committed in Montana.

A citizen proponent, Ed Halla[n] (testifying on his own behalf), urged passage, saying the bill is “common sense” and would help make the state safer. No opponents or informational witnesses appeared in committee testimony on the record.

The committee moved directly to executive action. The chair called for a voice vote on a motion that the committee “concur in” House Bill 214. Members voted by voice; the chair announced the motion passed and that House Bill 214 had been concurred in. Senator Mansella volunteered to carry the bill on the Senate floor.

Ending: House Bill 214 was concurred in by the Senate Judiciary Committee and assigned to a senator to run on the floor.","Representative Kayla Hinkle brought House Bill 214 to the Senate Judiciary Committee to codify that the state may prosecute noncitizens who commit state crimes and to require county prosecutors to notify the attorney general if they decline to prosecute. The committee voted by voice to concur in the bill.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":117,"_47":118,"_49":119,"_51":120,"_53":121,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":122,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":123,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6122326,"Committee tables bill on mental-health evaluations for detained defendants",122,4998000,5120000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2695239-e1db920cbf6b15d85163e6a83f848d0f&start=4998&end=5120","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2695239-e1db920cbf6b15d85163e6a83f848d0f/thumbnail_4998000.jpg","/articles/6122326/Montana/Committee-tables-bill-on-mental-health-evaluations-for-detained-defendants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6122326-afa63ef6f074b165753d7f8d79d2a625/orig.mp4?Expires=1775797344&Signature=DVvhkScBOJTP3SikvsKkR-y~pfD-Aa4Alha8-KU3h9EyTqg7ETfHZpS5qy~7o5LEuVJERFq3jsaqeC3bUDTJ~j8BL7dPkWFEoNEe3TY5v4CFhRXuXhkJKtaJ26VEgBGn~H9Pydw5HW428el-28Wm-iBdaK-ytzA-b4pUN1v04TFgO~RzMDG4MJknZ7h7XLz-A-TqTTRGkysKnyrNVZA5ibwkC-HRNgq15cvzf1Sv6VCcVTc14IaO63B-bo6u04SkpEL9JctlmvN1jmkOFwMrro-kIGcwaf1Nc5SCI42nqWkw2ClC6g15HU8xsNF1j4JtzO~8luxODaJOZggabnw-Sg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee took up executive action on House Bill 236, an act concerning evaluations in detention for defendants when mental disease or disorder is at issue and providing rulemaking authority. Senator Manzella and others questioned whether the proposal would change current practice and whether it had been coordinated with the Office of Public Defender, sheriffs or the Department of Corrections. A substitute motion to table the bill was made by Senator Benton. The chair called a voice vote; the motion to table carried and the committee tabled House Bill 236.

Ending: House Bill 236 was tabled in Senate Judiciary; no further action was recorded during the session.","Senate Judiciary tabled House Bill 236 after a substitute motion. Senators questioned whether the bill would change current practice for evaluations of detained defendants with mental-health issues and whether it shifted authority between the Department of Public Health and Human Services and Department of Corrections.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee concurs in bill removing gender and racial balance requirements for state appointments

Sponsor seeks to classify nonconsensual drugging as assault; committee debates scope and exceptions

Bill would restore businesses, governments as eligible victims in youth-court restitution

Committee concurs in bill requiring prosecutors to notify AG when noncitizens are not prosecuted

Committee tables bill on mental-health evaluations for detained defendants