The bill aims to enhance consumer protection laws by revising definitions and statutes related to unfair competition and deceptive practices. It specifically includes provisions that classify false, misleading, or otherwise deceptive consumer reviews or testimonials as unfair methods of competition, aligning state law with federal standards. The bill also amends existing statutes to clarify the timeframe for individuals and the Department of Justice to bring actions against such practices, establishing a five-year statute of limitations for the department upon discovery of unlawful acts.

Additionally, the bill modifies the language in several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to ensure consistency with federal interpretations and to provide clearer guidelines for consumers seeking damages. Notably, it allows consumers to bring individual actions for ascertainable losses within a specified timeframe and limits punitive damages while permitting the court to award reasonable attorney fees under certain conditions. The bill also introduces new enforcement mechanisms regarding the publication of material harmful to minors, emphasizing the responsibility of commercial entities to verify the age of individuals accessing such content. The act is set to take effect immediately upon passage and approval.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 30-14-104, 30-14-111, 30-14-133, 30-14-159