House Joint Resolution No. 45, introduced by K. Seekins-Crowe, requests an interim study on the collateral consequences of criminal convictions and the process of criminal record expungement in Montana. The resolution highlights the challenges faced by individuals with criminal histories, particularly regarding employment and housing opportunities, due to the stigma and legal barriers associated with their records. It emphasizes the need to review existing expungement laws, investigate discrimination based on expunged records, and analyze the impact of these records on recidivism, employment outcomes, and housing stability.

The resolution mandates that the Legislative Council designate an appropriate committee to conduct this study, which will include collaboration with various stakeholders such as the Department of Justice and the Department of Corrections. The committee is tasked with examining the effectiveness of current laws, exploring state incentive models for expungement-friendly housing, and evaluating peer support services for individuals reentering society. The study's findings and recommendations are to be reported to the 70th Legislature in the form of introduced legislation by September 15, 2026.