Senate Bill 429 seeks to revise the laws governing the determination and restoration of fitness in criminal proceedings in Montana, particularly focusing on contempt actions, commitment procedures for examinations, and the involuntary administration of medication. The bill introduces new provisions that define contempt in the context of refusing or being unable to admit individuals for commitment to the Montana state hospital due to factors like lack of available beds or necessary documentation. It also streamlines the processes for psychiatric examinations, clarifying the allocation of costs based on who requests the examination and ensuring that certain costs incurred by the Department of Public Health and Human Services are not charged to the court or public defender's office.

Key amendments include the removal of outdated language regarding the appointment of examiners and the specification of costs related to examinations. The bill establishes that a court cannot order the superintendent of the Montana state hospital to designate a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist for a mental examination unless no qualified individuals are available in the county of the committing court. It also outlines procedures for the involuntary administration of medication to defendants deemed unfit to proceed and prioritizes admissions to the Montana state hospital for pretrial defendants. Overall, the bill aims to enhance the efficiency and clarity of legal processes related to mental fitness in criminal cases, with provisions set to take effect immediately upon passage and approval.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_1(1): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_1(2): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_1(3): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_1(4): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_1(5): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_1(6): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_1: 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_2(1): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_2(10): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_2(11): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_2(12): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_2(13): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_2(14): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_2(15): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_2(16): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_2(17): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_2(2): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_2(3): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_2(4): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_2(5): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_2(6): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_2(7): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_2(8): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_2(9): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_2: 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_X(1): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_X(2): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_X(3): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_X(4): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_X(5): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_X(6): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_X(7): 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221
SB0429_X: 3-1-501, 3-5-901, 3-10-402, 3-11-303, 46-14-202, 46-14-206, 46-14-221