Senate Bill No. [insert bill number] seeks to revise Montana's sentencing laws concerning theft-related offenses, including failure to return rented or leased property, issuing bad checks, deceptive practices, forgery, and identity theft. The bill raises penalty thresholds for these offenses and amends the definition of "common scheme" by eliminating the requirement for a pecuniary loss of at least $1,500, thereby broadening the scope of what constitutes a common scheme. The bill also introduces new definitions and adjusts penalties, such as imposing a fine of up to $500 or imprisonment for up to six months for first or second theft offenses involving property not exceeding $1,500, while a third or subsequent offense will incur a fine of $1,500 and a minimum of 30 days imprisonment.

Additionally, the bill increases penalties for failure to return rented or leased property, with a maximum imprisonment term of ten years for property exceeding $1,500. It modifies penalties for issuing bad checks, particularly for those involved in a common scheme or exceeding $1,500 in value, which can lead to fines up to $50,000 or imprisonment for up to ten years. The bill also adjusts penalties for forgery and identity theft, with fines and imprisonment based on the economic benefit gained. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2025, and the bill aims to enhance the legal framework surrounding property crimes and provide clearer guidelines for enforcement.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 45-2-101, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325, 45-6-332, 45-6-345
SB0019_1(1): 45-2-101, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325, 45-6-332, 45-6-345
SB0019_1(2): 45-2-101, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325, 45-6-332, 45-6-345
SB0019_1(3): 45-2-101, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325, 45-6-332, 45-6-345
SB0019_1(4): 45-2-101, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325, 45-6-332, 45-6-345
SB0019_1(5): 45-2-101, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325, 45-6-332, 45-6-345
SB0019_1(6): 45-2-101, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325, 45-6-332, 45-6-345
SB0019_1: 45-2-101, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325, 45-6-332, 45-6-345
SB0019_2(1): 45-2-101, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325, 45-6-332, 45-6-345
SB0019_2(10): 45-2-101, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325, 45-6-332, 45-6-345
SB0019_2(11): 45-2-101, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325, 45-6-332, 45-6-345
SB0019_2(12): 45-2-101, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325, 45-6-332, 45-6-345
SB0019_2(13): 45-2-101, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325, 45-6-332, 45-6-345
SB0019_2(2): 45-2-101, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325, 45-6-332, 45-6-345
SB0019_2(3): 45-2-101, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325, 45-6-332, 45-6-345
SB0019_2(4): 45-2-101, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325, 45-6-332, 45-6-345
SB0019_2(5): 45-2-101, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325, 45-6-332, 45-6-345
SB0019_2(6): 45-2-101, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325, 45-6-332, 45-6-345
SB0019_2(7): 45-2-101, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325, 45-6-332, 45-6-345
SB0019_2(8): 45-2-101, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325, 45-6-332, 45-6-345
SB0019_2(9): 45-2-101, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325, 45-6-332, 45-6-345
SB0019_2: 45-2-101, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325, 45-6-332, 45-6-345
SB0019_3(1): 45-2-101, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325, 45-6-332, 45-6-345
SB0019_3(2): 45-2-101, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325, 45-6-332, 45-6-345
SB0019_3(3): 45-2-101, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325, 45-6-332, 45-6-345
SB0019_3: 45-2-101, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325, 45-6-332, 45-6-345