Senate Bill No. [insert bill number] aims to extend legislative immunity to legislative staff in Montana, ensuring that they are afforded the same evidentiary privilege and protection from questioning in judicial proceedings regarding privileged legislative information as legislators themselves. The bill establishes that legislative staff cannot be compelled to testify about such information and that any privileged legislative information they possess must be treated as confidential. The introduction or public discussion of a bill by a legislator does not waive this privilege.

The bill amends Sections 2-9-101 and 2-9-901 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to include definitions and provisions related to legislative staff and their immunity. Notably, it defines "legislative staff" to include employees or contractors of the legislative branch, personal staff of legislative leadership, and attorneys or consultants hired by legislative leadership. Additionally, it clarifies that privileged legislative information is protected based on common law, constitutional law, or statutory legislative immunity. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage and approval.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 2-9-101, 2-9-901
SB0352_1(1): 2-9-101, 2-9-901
SB0352_1(2): 2-9-101, 2-9-901
SB0352_1(3): 2-9-101, 2-9-901
SB0352_1(4): 2-9-101, 2-9-901
SB0352_1: 2-9-101, 2-9-901