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Montana bill would let counties pay reserve deputies to staff school security; sheriffs back it, counties warn of liability
Summary
House Bill 323 would permit county commissions to compensate reserve deputy sheriffs for duties such as school security. Cascade County’s sheriff urged compensation to recruit retired officers; county officials and legal counsel warned payment could trigger employment status and wage‑and‑hour liabilities.
Representative Steve Fitzpatrick introduced House Bill 323 on behalf of counties seeking more law‑enforcement manpower, saying the bill would allow counties to provide a salary or compensation to reserve deputy sheriffs at local discretion.
The bill’s sponsor, Representative Steve Fitzpatrick, said the measure is intended to “increase the staff capabilities of local sheriff’s departments” and that the decision would rest with county commissions.
Sheriff Jesse Slaughter of Cascade County told the House Local Government Committee he is "very, very passionate" about the bill and framed it as a school‑safety measure. Slaughter said fully sworn deputies are expensive—“close to $200,000 startup cost” and “well over a $100,000 a year with salary,…
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