House Bill 532 aims to strengthen the legal framework surrounding the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of incapacitated persons and vulnerable adults in Montana. The bill introduces new definitions for key terms such as "abuse," "neglect," "personal degradation," and "sexual abuse," while establishing a range of penalties for offenses related to these acts, which can vary from misdemeanors to felonies based on severity. It also addresses the failure to report abuse or neglect and outlines penalties for false reporting. Additionally, the bill amends existing laws to enhance protections for vulnerable populations, including provisions for the admissibility of hearsay evidence in court under specific conditions.

Significant amendments include the replacement of "the infliction of physical or mental injury" with "the commission of assault" in the definition of "abuse," and the expansion of "sexual abuse" to include a broader category of "sexual offenses." The bill also mandates that offenders without a risk assessment or psychosexual evaluation must undergo such evaluations at their own expense, and it allows for petitions to the district court regarding risk level designations for offenders. Furthermore, outdated sections of the Montana Code Annotated are repealed to streamline legal processes and enhance the protection of vulnerable adults. Overall, House Bill 532 seeks to improve the legal response to crimes against vulnerable populations in Montana.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 44-15-103, 45-6-332, 46-16-222, 46-18-104, 46-18-111, 46-23-502, 46-23-509, 52-3-803
HB0532_1(1): 44-15-103, 45-6-332, 46-16-222, 46-18-104, 46-18-111, 46-23-502, 46-23-509, 52-3-803
HB0532_1(2): 44-15-103, 45-6-332, 46-16-222, 46-18-104, 46-18-111, 46-23-502, 46-23-509, 52-3-803
HB0532_1(3): 44-15-103, 45-6-332, 46-16-222, 46-18-104, 46-18-111, 46-23-502, 46-23-509, 52-3-803
HB0532_1(4): 44-15-103, 45-6-332, 46-16-222, 46-18-104, 46-18-111, 46-23-502, 46-23-509, 52-3-803
HB0532_1(5): 44-15-103, 45-6-332, 46-16-222, 46-18-104, 46-18-111, 46-23-502, 46-23-509, 52-3-803
HB0532_1: 44-15-103, 45-6-332, 46-16-222, 46-18-104, 46-18-111, 46-23-502, 46-23-509, 52-3-803
HB0532_2(1): 44-15-103, 45-6-332, 46-16-222, 46-18-104, 46-18-111, 46-23-502, 46-23-509, 52-3-803
HB0532_2(10): 44-15-103, 45-6-332, 46-16-222, 46-18-104, 46-18-111, 46-23-502, 46-23-509, 52-3-803
HB0532_2(11): 44-15-103, 45-6-332, 46-16-222, 46-18-104, 46-18-111, 46-23-502, 46-23-509, 52-3-803
HB0532_2(12): 44-15-103, 45-6-332, 46-16-222, 46-18-104, 46-18-111, 46-23-502, 46-23-509, 52-3-803
HB0532_2(13): 44-15-103, 45-6-332, 46-16-222, 46-18-104, 46-18-111, 46-23-502, 46-23-509, 52-3-803
HB0532_2(14): 44-15-103, 45-6-332, 46-16-222, 46-18-104, 46-18-111, 46-23-502, 46-23-509, 52-3-803
HB0532_2(15): 44-15-103, 45-6-332, 46-16-222, 46-18-104, 46-18-111, 46-23-502, 46-23-509, 52-3-803
HB0532_2(2): 44-15-103, 45-6-332, 46-16-222, 46-18-104, 46-18-111, 46-23-502, 46-23-509, 52-3-803
HB0532_2(3): 44-15-103, 45-6-332, 46-16-222, 46-18-104, 46-18-111, 46-23-502, 46-23-509, 52-3-803
HB0532_2(4): 44-15-103, 45-6-332, 46-16-222, 46-18-104, 46-18-111, 46-23-502, 46-23-509, 52-3-803
HB0532_2(5): 44-15-103, 45-6-332, 46-16-222, 46-18-104, 46-18-111, 46-23-502, 46-23-509, 52-3-803
HB0532_2(6): 44-15-103, 45-6-332, 46-16-222, 46-18-104, 46-18-111, 46-23-502, 46-23-509, 52-3-803
HB0532_2(7): 44-15-103, 45-6-332, 46-16-222, 46-18-104, 46-18-111, 46-23-502, 46-23-509, 52-3-803
HB0532_2(8): 44-15-103, 45-6-332, 46-16-222, 46-18-104, 46-18-111, 46-23-502, 46-23-509, 52-3-803
HB0532_2(9): 44-15-103, 45-6-332, 46-16-222, 46-18-104, 46-18-111, 46-23-502, 46-23-509, 52-3-803
HB0532_2: 44-15-103, 45-6-332, 46-16-222, 46-18-104, 46-18-111, 46-23-502, 46-23-509, 52-3-803
HB0532_X(1): 44-15-103, 45-6-332, 46-16-222, 46-18-104, 46-18-111, 46-23-502, 46-23-509, 52-3-803
HB0532_X(2): 44-15-103, 45-6-332, 46-16-222, 46-18-104, 46-18-111, 46-23-502, 46-23-509, 52-3-803
HB0532_X(3): 44-15-103, 45-6-332, 46-16-222, 46-18-104, 46-18-111, 46-23-502, 46-23-509, 52-3-803
HB0532_X(4): 44-15-103, 45-6-332, 46-16-222, 46-18-104, 46-18-111, 46-23-502, 46-23-509, 52-3-803
HB0532_X(5): 44-15-103, 45-6-332, 46-16-222, 46-18-104, 46-18-111, 46-23-502, 46-23-509, 52-3-803
HB0532_X: 44-15-103, 45-6-332, 46-16-222, 46-18-104, 46-18-111, 46-23-502, 46-23-509, 52-3-803