The bill amends Section 45-5-201 of the Montana Code Annotated to expand the definition of assault to include the act of providing certain drugs to another person without their consent. Specifically, it introduces new language that categorizes the unauthorized provision of specific dangerous drugs, including rohypnol, flunitrazolam, gamma-hydroxybutyrate, alcohol, and diphenhydramine, as an assault. The bill clarifies that this provision does not apply to medical providers authorized to prescribe medication, parents or guardians administering prescribed medication to their minor children, or guardians of incapacitated adults who cannot consent to their own healthcare decisions.

Additionally, the bill specifies that the administration of opioid overdose reversal medications, such as naloxone and nalmefene, is exempt from the assault definition. The penalties for a conviction of assault remain unchanged, with fines not exceeding $500 or imprisonment for up to six months. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the legal framework surrounding assault by addressing the non-consensual distribution of certain drugs.

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(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