All Roll Calls
Yes: 288 • No: 5
MontanaSB 30069th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)SenateWALLET
Providing protections for service dogs and handlers
Sponsored By: Denley Loge (Republican)
Became Law
SafetyCrimesDiscrimination and Human Rights
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Criminal penalties and restitution for service animals
It is a misdemeanor to harass a service animal after a warning or to negligently harm, disable, or kill it. Owners who negligently let their animal interfere can be charged, with a fine up to $1,000. It is also misdemeanor theft to purposely take or control a service animal to deprive the handler. After any conviction, courts must order full restitution. Restitution can pay the animal’s value (purchase, training, licensing, equipment), retraining or replacement training, vet care, the handler’s medical bills, handler training, and lost wages. Civil lawsuits are still allowed.
Stronger dog-bite liability protecting service animals
If a dog, without provocation, bites a person or a service animal in public or when lawfully on private property in a city or town, the owner is liable for damages. Owners are liable even if the dog had no prior vicious history. Counties may regulate, restrain, control, kill, or quarantine vicious dogs, and these rules expressly protect service animals. Violations of local rules remain misdemeanors.
Clear access and control rules for service animals
Places that ban animals must post that service animals are allowed. A service animal in training must wear written ID readable from at least 20 feet. A service animal must be under the handler’s control as required by federal rules (28 CFR 35.136 as of Oct 1, 2019). Staff may ask two questions: if the animal is needed because of a disability and what task it performs. A business can require removal if the animal is not controlled and the handler does not act, or if it is not housebroken. If removed, the handler must be allowed to get the service without the animal.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Denley Loge
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
Jane Weber
Democrat • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/9/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 97 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/8/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 96 • No: 1
Senate vote • 3/5/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 47 • No: 2
Senate vote • 3/4/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 48 • No: 2
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
5/13/2025SenateSigned by Governor
5/8/2025SenateTransmitted to Governor
4/30/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
4/29/2025HouseSigned by President
4/21/2025SenateReturned from Enrolling
4/11/2025SenateSent to Enrolling
4/9/2025Senate3rd Reading Concurred
4/9/2025House2nd Reading Concurred
4/8/2025HouseCommittee Report--Bill Concurred
3/26/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action--Bill Concurred
3/25/2025HouseHearing
3/19/2025HouseFirst Reading
3/6/2025HouseReferred to Committee
3/5/2025HouseTransmitted to House
3/5/2025Senate3rd Reading Passed
3/5/2025Senate2nd Reading Passed
3/4/2025SenateCommittee Report--Bill Passed
3/1/2025SenateCommittee Executive Action--Bill Passed
2/28/2025SenateHearing
2/21/2025SenateReferred to Committee
2/13/2025SenateFirst Reading
2/12/2025SenateIntroduced
2/11/2025Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
4/15/2025
Introduced
2/11/2025