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MontanaHB 74369th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET

Create reporting requirements for elder exploitation

Sponsored By: Stacy Zinn (Republican)

Became Law

Criminal ProcedureDiscrimination and Human Rights

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Backup rules if crime definitions change

The law also includes backup rules that apply only if state law later changes the crime definitions for exploiting incapacitated persons or vulnerable adults. In that case, the department must forward reports that fit the new offense or identity theft of vulnerable adults, and the county attorney reporting rules adjust to match. The department’s biennial referral report would also switch to count referrals under the updated statutes. The Attorney General may still request investigative findings for cases prosecutors declined under the updated laws.

More details in abuse reports

Abuse and exploitation reports must include the names and addresses of the vulnerable adult and their caregiver. They must list the alleged abuser’s name and address, if known. Reports must include the victim’s age, what happened, any prior injuries or prior incidents, and the reporter’s contact information.

More oversight of uncharged exploitation cases

By September 15 of every even-numbered year, the health department reports by county how many suspected exploitation cases it referred to prosecutors. If the department believes a case should be prosecuted and no charges were filed, it must tell the Attorney General and summarize the facts. The Attorney General may request investigative findings from the department and the county attorney in cases the county attorney declined to prosecute.

Stronger tracking of elder exploitation cases

The health department must send credible exploitation reports to the county attorney where the victim lives and keep sharing records through the investigation or prosecution. If the suspect is unknown, the county attorney can ask the department for names or other details to help identify the person. By July 1 each year, county attorneys must report case IDs, key dates, charges or declinations, outcomes, referrals received, and any cases pending over two years with reasons to the Attorney General. The Attorney General provides a standard form to track cases for up to five years and, by September 1 each year, reports county-level totals, declines, and charges to the law and justice interim committee and notes any noncompliant counties.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Stacy Zinn

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 484 • No: 5

House vote • 4/18/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote • 4/17/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 44 • No: 4

House vote • 4/10/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 44 • No: 1

House vote • 3/7/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote • 3/6/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 99 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/13/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/8/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    5/1/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    5/1/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    4/29/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/21/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/18/2025House

  8. 3rd Reading Passed as Amended by Senate

    4/18/2025House

  9. 2nd Reading Senate Amendments Concurred

    4/17/2025House

  10. Returned to House with Amendments

    4/11/2025Senate

  11. 3rd Reading Concurred

    4/11/2025Senate

  12. Revised Fiscal Note Printed

    4/11/2025House

  13. Revised Fiscal Note Signed

    4/10/2025House

  14. Revised Fiscal Note Received

    4/10/2025House

  15. 2nd Reading Concurred

    4/10/2025Senate

  16. 2nd Reading Pass Consideration

    4/7/2025Senate

  17. Revised Fiscal Note Requested

    4/7/2025House

  18. Committee Report--Bill Concurred as Amended

    4/4/2025Senate

  19. Committee Executive Action--Bill Concurred as Amended

    4/4/2025Senate

  20. Hearing

    3/27/2025Senate

  21. Hearing Canceled

    3/24/2025Senate

  22. Hearing

    3/24/2025Senate

  23. Referred to Committee

    3/18/2025Senate

  24. Revised Fiscal Note Printed

    3/17/2025House

  25. First Reading

    3/14/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/21/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 3)

    4/4/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    3/3/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    2/25/2025

    PDF

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