House Bill No. introduced by a group of legislators aims to revise the laws related to assault in Montana. The bill specifically defines assault to include the act of providing certain drugs to another person without their consent. The proposed amendments to Section 45-5-201 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) expand the definition of assault to include the provision of specific dangerous drugs listed in Schedules I through V, alcohol, any vaccine, and diphenhydramine, without the express, informed, or implied consent of the individual or their parent, guardian, or medical power of attorney.

Additionally, the bill removes previous exemptions that allowed certain individuals, such as medical providers and guardians of incapacitated adults, to administer medications without consent under specific circumstances. The changes aim to strengthen the legal framework surrounding assault by ensuring that consent is a critical factor in the administration of drugs, thereby enhancing protections for individuals against non-consensual drug administration. The penalties for assault remain unchanged, with a maximum fine of $500 or imprisonment for up to six months.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 45-5-201
HB0174_1(1): 45-5-201
HB0174_1(2): 45-5-201
HB0174_1(3): 45-5-201
HB0174_1(4): 45-5-201
HB0174_1(5): 45-5-201
HB0174_1(6): 45-5-201
HB0174_1(7): 45-5-201
HB0174_1: 45-5-201
HB0174_2(1): 45-5-201
HB0174_2(10): 45-5-201
HB0174_2(11): 45-5-201
HB0174_2(12): 45-5-201
HB0174_2(13): 45-5-201
HB0174_2(14): 45-5-201
HB0174_2(2): 45-5-201
HB0174_2(3): 45-5-201
HB0174_2(4): 45-5-201
HB0174_2(5): 45-5-201
HB0174_2(6): 45-5-201
HB0174_2(7): 45-5-201
HB0174_2(8): 45-5-201
HB0174_2(9): 45-5-201
HB0174_2: 45-5-201
HB0174_3(1): 45-5-201
HB0174_3(10): 45-5-201
HB0174_3(11): 45-5-201
HB0174_3(12): 45-5-201
HB0174_3(13): 45-5-201
HB0174_3(14): 45-5-201
HB0174_3(15): 45-5-201
HB0174_3(16): 45-5-201
HB0174_3(17): 45-5-201
HB0174_3(2): 45-5-201
HB0174_3(3): 45-5-201
HB0174_3(4): 45-5-201
HB0174_3(5): 45-5-201
HB0174_3(6): 45-5-201
HB0174_3(7): 45-5-201
HB0174_3(8): 45-5-201
HB0174_3(9): 45-5-201
HB0174_3: 45-5-201