Senate Judiciary hears bill to strengthen removal tools for unauthorized occupants

Sen. Becky Beard, sponsor of Senate Bill 101, told the Senate Judiciary Committee the bill "creates the framework for the protection enforcement of property rights in the event a squatter illegally occupies the property" and would let owners request law enforcement to remove an unauthorized person more quickly.

The bill, presented at a Jan. 2025 Judiciary Committee hearing, would add penalties and civil remedies to existing Montana statutes cited by the sponsor and supporters. Proponents said the measure clarifies enforcement options and protects law enforcement; opponents warned it could criminalize people experiencing housing instability and risk uneven enforcement across the state.

Why it matters: The bill would change both civil and criminal responses to unauthorized occupants by (1) creating a statutory route for owners to request immediate law-enforcement removal, (2) adding fines and indemnification for false owner complaints and (3) attaching criminal penalties when forgery or criminal mischief is involved. Backers said those changes would reduce prolonged occupancy and protect owners and officers; critics said the language is vague, could be used…