Senate Bill No. introduced by K. Bogner aims to prohibit discrimination related to firearms in insurance and financial matters within the state of Montana. The bill establishes a legislative purpose to protect individuals, groups, and businesses from discrimination based on their possession or advocacy for firearms, firearm ammunition, or accessories. It includes definitions for key terms such as "firearm," "ammunition," and "certificate of nondiscrimination," which is a document certifying that an entity does not discriminate based on firearms. The bill also outlines that discrimination against individuals for their possession of firearms violates the Montana Constitution.
Furthermore, the bill mandates that any entity seeking to offer insurance or financial services in Montana must provide a certificate of nondiscrimination as part of their application for a license. Failure to provide this certificate renders the application incomplete. The bill establishes penalties for violations, allowing for fines up to $5,000 for each offense, and permits individuals harmed by such discrimination to seek legal recourse in district court. Notably, the provisions do not apply to employer-employee contracts or workplace policies. The act is intended to be codified as part of Title 30, chapter 20, and includes a severability clause to ensure that valid parts remain effective even if some provisions are found invalid.