House Bill No. introduced by a group of legislators aims to establish a private right of action against drag king and drag queen performances, as well as individuals who promote or conduct such performances. The bill allows minors who attend these performances, or their parents or legal guardians, to file lawsuits against the promoters or performers. If successful, plaintiffs can receive actual damages for psychological, emotional, economic, and physical harm, along with reasonable attorney fees and statutory damages of $5,000. The timeframe for bringing such actions has been extended from 2 years to 3 years from the date the cause of action accrues.

Additionally, the bill amends Section 45-8-117 of the Montana Code Annotated to provide updated definitions for "drag king" and "drag queen," emphasizing their performances' sexual and provocative nature. The definitions clarify the contexts in which these performances typically occur, including libraries and schools, and highlight the incorporation of erotic themes. The bill also introduces a new definition for "drag story hour," which involves drag performers reading to children while engaging in sexual activities, and modifies the definition of "nude" to include specific clothing criteria. Overall, the bill seeks to regulate drag performances and provide legal recourse for those who feel harmed by them.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 45-8-117
HB0675_1(1): 45-8-117
HB0675_1(2): 45-8-117
HB0675_1(3): 45-8-117
HB0675_1(4): 45-8-117
HB0675_1: 45-8-117
HB0675_2(1): 45-8-117
HB0675_2(10): 45-8-117
HB0675_2(2): 45-8-117
HB0675_2(3): 45-8-117
HB0675_2(4): 45-8-117
HB0675_2(5): 45-8-117
HB0675_2(6): 45-8-117
HB0675_2(7): 45-8-117
HB0675_2(8): 45-8-117
HB0675_2(9): 45-8-117
HB0675_2: 45-8-117