The proposed bill seeks to revise sentencing laws for various offenses, including theft, forgery, and identity theft, by raising penalty thresholds and redefining key terms. A significant change is the deletion of the monetary threshold of $1,500 previously required to establish a "common scheme," allowing for a broader interpretation of criminal activities. The bill increases penalties for theft offenses, with maximum fines set at $500 for first or second offenses involving property valued at $1,500 or less, while third or subsequent offenses will incur fines of $1,500 and a minimum jail term of 30 days. For thefts exceeding $1,500, fines can reach up to $50,000, and prison terms can extend to 10 years.

Additionally, the bill amends penalties for failure to return rented or leased property, issuing bad checks, and deceptive practices, with maximum prison terms and fines significantly increased for offenses involving property valued over $1,500. The penalties for forgery are also enhanced, raising the maximum fine from $10,000 to $50,000 for offenses involving property, labor, or services obtained through forgery. The bill consolidates penalties for repeat offenders into a streamlined structure and clarifies the definition of "common scheme," aiming to strengthen the legal framework surrounding property crimes in Montana. The changes are set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

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(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_3(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_3(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_3(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_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_X(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_X(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_X(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_X(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_X(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_X(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_X(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_X(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_X: 45-2-101, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325, 45-6-332, 45-6-345