Senate Bill 297 seeks to enhance privacy protections in Montana by revising existing laws related to the collection and processing of personal data, particularly for minors in K-12 educational settings. The bill introduces new definitions, such as "heightened risk of harm to minors," and establishes requirements for consumer notification, including an opt-out option for data collection. It amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) and repeals a previous section from 2023, while also clarifying the responsibilities of data controllers and processors. Notably, the thresholds for businesses required to comply with the law are adjusted, reducing the number of consumers from 50,000 to 25,000 for one provision and from 25,000 to 15,000 for another.

The legislation further enhances consumer rights by allowing individuals to confirm, correct, delete, and obtain their personal data in a portable format. It prohibits data controllers from requiring consumers to create new accounts to exercise their rights and mandates clear privacy notices detailing data processing practices. The bill also grants the attorney general exclusive enforcement authority, including the ability to impose civil penalties for violations and seek injunctive relief. Overall, Senate Bill 297 aims to strengthen consumer privacy protections while ensuring that data controllers can meet their legal obligations without unnecessary restrictions.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_1(1): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_1(2): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_1(3): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_1(4): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_1(5): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_1(6): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_1: 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_2(1): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_2(10): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_2(11): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_2(12): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_2(2): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_2(3): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_2(4): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_2(5): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_2(6): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_2(7): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_2(8): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_2(9): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_2: 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_3(1): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_3(10): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_3(11): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_3(2): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_3(3): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_3(4): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_3(5): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_3(6): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_3(7): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_3(8): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_3(9): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_3: 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_4(1): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_4(10): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_4(11): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_4(12): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_4(2): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_4(3): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_4(4): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_4(5): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_4(6): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_4(7): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_4(8): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_4(9): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_4: 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_X(1): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_X(2): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_X(3): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_X(4): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_X(5): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_X(6): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_X(7): 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817
SB0297_X: 20-7-1324, 30-14-2802, 30-14-2803, 30-14-2804, 30-14-2808, 30-14-2812, 30-14-2816, 30-14-2817