Senate Bill 429 seeks to amend existing laws in Montana regarding the determination and restoration of fitness in criminal proceedings, particularly focusing on contempt actions, commitment procedures, and the involuntary administration of medication. The bill clarifies the definition of contempt, especially in cases where individuals cannot be admitted to the Montana state hospital due to a lack of available beds or necessary documentation. It also establishes clear procedures for the commitment and examination of defendants, detailing the allocation of costs associated with these processes. Notably, the bill stipulates that a court cannot mandate the superintendent of the Montana state hospital to appoint a qualified psychiatrist or psychologist for a defendant's mental examination unless no qualified individuals are available in the relevant county.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the requirements for examination reports, eliminating previous obligations to assess a defendant's capacity for a specific state of mind unless certain conditions are met. It also outlines the procedures for involuntary medication administration, requiring a treatment plan and the formation of a treatment review committee. The bill clarifies financial responsibilities for the care and treatment of defendants, ensuring that costs are covered by the court or the office of the court administrator, with provisions for general fund appropriations. The Montana state hospital is instructed to prioritize admissions based on the urgency of each defendant's situation, and the bill will take effect 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