The bill amends Section 46-5-401 of the Montana Code Annotated to authorize peace officers to check the immigration status of individuals during lawful stops. Specifically, it allows officers, upon reasonable suspicion and when practicable, to determine if a person is lawfully present in the United States. If the individual is found to be unlawfully present, the officer is required to report this information to a federal immigration agency as defined in the law.

Additionally, the bill maintains existing provisions regarding the authority of peace officers to stop individuals or vehicles based on particularized suspicion of criminal activity. It emphasizes the need for officers to inform individuals of the reason for the stop and outlines the procedures for requesting identification and conducting safety frisks. The new language inserted into the law clarifies the responsibilities of peace officers in relation to immigration status checks during these stops.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 46-5-401
HB0278_1(1): 46-5-401
HB0278_1(2): 46-5-401
HB0278_1(3): 46-5-401
HB0278_1(4): 46-5-401
HB0278_1(5): 46-5-401
HB0278_1(6): 46-5-401
HB0278_1(7): 46-5-401
HB0278_1: 46-5-401
HB0278_2(1): 46-5-401
HB0278_2(10): 46-5-401
HB0278_2(2): 46-5-401
HB0278_2(3): 46-5-401
HB0278_2(4): 46-5-401
HB0278_2(5): 46-5-401
HB0278_2(6): 46-5-401
HB0278_2(7): 46-5-401
HB0278_2(8): 46-5-401
HB0278_2(9): 46-5-401
HB0278_2: 46-5-401
HB0278_X(1): 46-5-401
HB0278_X(2): 46-5-401
HB0278_X(3): 46-5-401
HB0278_X(4): 46-5-401
HB0278_X(5): 46-5-401
HB0278_X: 46-5-401