The bill, requested by the Criminal Justice Oversight Council, seeks to revise sentencing laws for various offenses, including theft, failure to return rented property, issuing bad checks, deceptive practices, and forgery. It amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) and introduces new definitions and clarifications for terms such as "theft" and "deceptive practices." Notably, the bill establishes penalties for insurance-related thefts, with fines up to $50,000 and imprisonment for up to 10 years for serious offenses. It also adjusts penalties based on the value of the property involved, increasing fines and potential prison terms for repeat offenders and thefts exceeding certain monetary thresholds.

Additionally, the bill includes appropriations of $107,849 from the general fund to the Office of State Public Defender for the fiscal years beginning July 1, 2023, and July 1, 2024, to support the implementation of the new provisions. A contingent voidness clause is included, indicating that if this act and House Bill No. 817 are both passed but House Bill No. 817 does not provide a specific appropriation to the Department of Corrections, then this act will be void. The effective date for the implementation of this act is set for July 1, 2023.

Statutes affected:
SB0095_1.pdf: 45-2-101, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325
SB0095_2.pdf: 45-2-101, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325
SB0095_3.pdf: 45-2-101, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325
Amended: 45-2-101, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325
Introduced: 45-2-101, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325