Legislative Session 2019

The ACLU of Montana works year-round to protect the constitutional rights and civil liberties of all Montanans, including members of the 13 Native American tribes within the state. Throughout the legislative session we are in close touch with elected officials. However, they are most interested in hearing from you - their constituents. Stay informed and be ready to act! Get our updates and action alerts (sign-up at aclumontana.org), and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Check out our 2019 Legislative Session Overview! Take a closer look and read all of our weekly 2019 legislative session updates!

Below is the legislation we tracked and prioritized during the 2019 legislative session.

End the Criminalization of Poverty		Status
	HB 217: Stop suspending driver's licenses when people are too poor to pay court debt. ACLU of Montana Factsheet Read our blog. Learn from impacted people - watch our video.	Signed into law
	HB 425: Renew Montana's Medicaid expansion. ACLU of Montana Factsheet	Died on House floor. Replaced with HB 658: passed 4/18/19.
	HJ 9: Study to determine if additional or different services are needed for mental health or substance use disorders as one way to reduce homelessness, and as an alternative to detention and criminal sanctions. ACLU of Montana Factsheet Read our statement	Tabled in Committee

Reform the Criminal Justice System		Status
	SB 30: Allow peer support services to be covered by Medicaid. Read our statement.	Tabled in House Committee
	HB 199: Create criminal penalties for bullying.	Tabled in Commitee
	SB 65: Increase criminal penalties for driving under the influence.	Tabled in Committee
	HB 736: restrict the use of solitary confinement in correctional facilities. It would ensure that individuals are only placed in solitary confinement for serious or threatening behavior and for the shortest time possible.	Signed into law

Indigenous Justice
	SB 13: Help formerly incarcerated American Indians re-enter society with fewer barriers to success. Letter in support of SB13	T abled in Committee
	HB 21: Establishing "Hanna's Act" which authorizes the Department of Justice to assist with investigating all missing persons cases, requires the employment of a missing persons specialist, provides duties, provides and appropriation, and provides an effective date. See photos from the rally.	Signed into law
	HB 40: Creates the reentry cultural programming grant program for American Indian individuals involved with the state or tribal criminal justice system.	Tabled in Committee
	HB 219: Establishes Indigenous Peoples Day in Montana.	Tabled in Committee

Immigrant's Rights
	HB 146: Establish laws regarding sanctury cities in Montana. Read our statement.	Passed 4/10/2019 On to Governor
	HB 147: Referendum to establish sanctuary city laws in Montana	Did not pass.

Protect and Expand Voting Rights
	SB 143: Revise voter registration to end at 5 p.m. on the Friday prior to an election.	Tabled in Committee

Protect Reproductive Rights		Status
	HB 375: End the shackling of incarcerated pregnant people and ensure access to pre- and post-natal care for pregnant and parenting prisoners. ACLU of Montana Factsheet.	Tabled in Committee
	SB 100: Force the opportunity for an ultrasound before an abortion.	Vetoed by the Governor
	HB 500: Prohibits abortion at 20 weeks.	Vetoed by the Governor

Protect LGBTQ Rights
	HB 465: Generally revise the Montana Human Rights Act which which would add "sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression" to the Montana Human Rights Act and finally put to rest any doubt that it is illegal to discriminate against LGBTQ Montanans.	Tabled in Committee

Abolish the Death Penalty
	HB 350: Abolish the Death Penalty in Montana Montana Abolition Coalition factsheet	Tabled in Committee