This bill revises various laws related to juries in Montana, specifically focusing on the requirements for notice and summons to jurors, as well as the procedures for discharging a jury panel. Key amendments include the removal of the requirement for jurors to respond by mail regarding their qualifications, allowing the clerk of court to send a summons that includes a jury questionnaire and a form for claiming an excuse from service. Additionally, if a juror fails to respond to the summons, the clerk is now required to attempt contact through telephone or electronic communication before certifying the failure to the sheriff, who must then make reasonable efforts to ensure the juror appears.

Further changes include clarifying the term of service for jurors, allowing them to continue serving beyond one year if necessary, and establishing that motions to discharge a jury panel must be made at least five days before the trial starts, with a requirement to demonstrate good cause for any late challenges. The bill also specifies that a motion to discharge must be based on a material departure from the law regarding jury selection and notification. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage and will apply to jury pools noticed on or after May 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 3-15-405, 3-15-411, 3-15-501, 46-16-112
HB0194_1(1): 3-15-405, 3-15-411, 3-15-501, 46-16-112
HB0194_1(2): 3-15-405, 3-15-411, 3-15-501, 46-16-112
HB0194_1(3): 3-15-405, 3-15-411, 3-15-501, 46-16-112
HB0194_1(4): 3-15-405, 3-15-411, 3-15-501, 46-16-112
HB0194_1(5): 3-15-405, 3-15-411, 3-15-501, 46-16-112
HB0194_1(6): 3-15-405, 3-15-411, 3-15-501, 46-16-112
HB0194_1(7): 3-15-405, 3-15-411, 3-15-501, 46-16-112
HB0194_1(8): 3-15-405, 3-15-411, 3-15-501, 46-16-112
HB0194_1: 3-15-405, 3-15-411, 3-15-501, 46-16-112
HB0194_X(1): 3-15-405, 3-15-411, 3-15-501, 46-16-112
HB0194_X(2): 3-15-405, 3-15-411, 3-15-501, 46-16-112
HB0194_X(3): 3-15-405, 3-15-411, 3-15-501, 46-16-112
HB0194_X(4): 3-15-405, 3-15-411, 3-15-501, 46-16-112
HB0194_X(5): 3-15-405, 3-15-411, 3-15-501, 46-16-112
HB0194_X(6): 3-15-405, 3-15-411, 3-15-501, 46-16-112
HB0194_X(7): 3-15-405, 3-15-411, 3-15-501, 46-16-112
HB0194_X: 3-15-405, 3-15-411, 3-15-501, 46-16-112