All Roll Calls
Yes: 496 • No: 1
MontanaHB 8269th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)HouseWALLET
Generally revise laws related to crimes against children
Sponsored By: Kathy Love (Republican)
Signed by Governor
CrimesRule Making
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Broader child sexual abuse rules
The law expands child sexual abuse to cover persuading or enticing a child under 16, and threats to share sexual images to get more images, items of value, or to force crimes. It also bans possession of computer‑generated or digital material that is indistinguishable from a real minor. Possession‑only can bring up to 10 years in prison or up to a $10,000 fine. If the victim is under 16, sentences can be life or 4 to 100 years and up to a $10,000 fine. If the victim is 12 or younger and the offender is 18 or older, the sentence is 100 years, with no parole for the first 25 years, fines up to $50,000, required treatment, and lifetime supervision with continuous satellite monitoring after any release. It is not a defense that the target was an undercover officer or believed to be an adult. These changes take effect July 1, 2025.
New grooming crime with tough penalties
The law creates the crime of grooming a child for a sexual offense, including by electronic messages. Penalties include up to 10 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. If the victim is under 16, sentences can be life or 4 to 100 years and up to a $10,000 fine. If the victim is 12 or younger and the offender is 18 or older, the sentence is 100 years, with no parole for the first 25 years, and fines up to $50,000. Convicted people must complete sexual‑offender treatment and, after any release, face lifetime supervision with continuous satellite monitoring. Grooming counts as a sexual offense, so registration rules apply. These changes take effect July 1, 2025.
Severe penalties for child sex trade
The law sets extreme penalties for child sex trafficking and for adults who patronize a child or someone they believed was a child. Sentences are 100 years, and the first 25 years cannot be suspended or deferred, with no parole during those 25 years. Trafficking also carries a $400,000 fine. Patronizing a child can bring fines up to $50,000, required sexual‑offender treatment, and—after any release—lifetime supervision with continuous satellite monitoring. A child’s consent or believing the person was an adult (including undercover stings) is not a defense. These rules apply starting July 1, 2025.
Stronger limits on exposing minors
The law expands indecent exposure to include acts sent electronically. If seen by someone under 16 and the offender is more than 4 years older, tougher penalties apply. First exposure offense can bring up to a $500 fine or 6 months in jail; a second offense up to $1,000 or 1 year; a third or later up to $10,000 or up to 10 years in state prison. Exposure to a minor can bring up to a $50,000 fine and at least 4 years in state prison unless a judge makes a written finding for less. The law also makes it a crime to give or sell obscene material to anyone under 18, with a $500–$1,000 fine or up to 6 months in county jail. Cities, counties, and schools may adopt stricter rules. These changes start July 1, 2025.
Most changes start July 1, 2025
The law takes effect July 1, 2025. All parts start then unless the law sets a different date.
Out-of-state risk levels count in Montana
Montana can accept another state’s or the federal government’s sex‑offender risk level when a person registers here. Offenders convicted elsewhere must provide prior risk assessments and psychosexual evaluations; if none exist, they must pay for an evaluation. The state may use the results to ask a court to set a risk level. These rules apply starting July 1, 2025.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Kathy Love
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Theresa Manzella
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/21/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 97 • No: 0
House vote • 3/20/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 99 • No: 1
Senate vote • 2/27/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 50 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/14/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 50 • No: 0
House vote • 1/23/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 100 • No: 0
House vote • 1/15/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 100 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
4/7/2025HouseSigned by Governor
4/7/2025HouseTransmitted to Governor
4/1/2025HouseSigned by President
4/1/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
3/28/2025HouseReturned from Enrolling
3/25/2025HouseSent to Enrolling
3/21/2025House3rd Reading Senate Amendments
3/21/2025House2nd Reading Senate Amendments
3/20/2025HouseReturned to House with Amendments
2/27/2025Senate3rd Reading
2/27/2025SenateCommittee Report
2/26/2025SenateCommittee Executive Action
2/26/2025SenateHearing
2/21/2025SenateRereferred to Committee
2/14/2025SenateCommittee Report
2/12/2025SenateCommittee Executive Action
2/12/2025SenateHearing
2/3/2025SenateReferred to Committee
1/27/2025Senate1st Reading
1/24/2025SenateTransmitted to Senate
1/23/2025House3rd Reading
1/23/2025HouseCommittee Report
1/22/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action
1/21/2025HouseHearing
1/16/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled
5/28/2025
As Amended (Version 3)
2/12/2025
As Amended (Version 2)
1/13/2025
Introduced
12/12/2024
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