MontanaHB 71269th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Provide for restitution payments to children of certain homicide victims

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Support for children after impaired-driving death

The law requires a person convicted of vehicular homicide while under the influence to make monthly payments to support each surviving minor child of the victim. Payments run until the child turns 18 or finishes high school, whichever is later, but not past age 19. The court sets the amount and payment method after reviewing the child’s needs and resources, the surviving parent or guardian’s resources, the family’s standard of living, custody, child-care costs, and the defendant’s finances. If the defendant is in prison and cannot pay, payments must start no later than one year after release. The court must set a plan to repay any missed amounts, and payments continue until all arrears are paid. If a surviving parent or guardian already has a civil judgment before the court issues this restitution order, no payments are ordered under this section; any later civil judgment reduces what is owed under the order.

Corrections pays restitution to court-ordered payees

Beginning July 1, 2027, the Department of Corrections must send restitution it receives from felony offenders to the person or entity named in the court order. The prior rule that sent some funds to the crime victims compensation program is removed. The department may hire a government or private collector after custody or supervision ends, may charge collection costs, and must set rules to run collections.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Bob Carter
Democrat • House

Cosponsors

Cora Neumann
Democrat • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 291 • No: 6

Senate vote • 4/17/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 45 • No: 5

Senate vote • 4/16/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 48 • No: 1

House vote • 3/7/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote • 3/6/2025