2007 Montana Legislature

About Bill -- Links

SENATE BILL NO. 306

INTRODUCED BY D. HARRINGTON

 

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT ABOLISHING THE DEATH PENALTY AND REPLACING IT WITH LIFE IMPRISONMENT WITHOUT POSSIBILITY OF RELEASE; AMENDING SECTIONS 2-15-201, 37-3-103, 37-8-103, 41-5-1602, 41-5-1604, 41-5-2510, 44-5-103, 44-6-101, 45-2-101, 45-2-212, 45-5-102, 45-5-303, 45-5-503, 46-1-401, 46-4-201, 46-9-102, 46-9-106, 46-16-115, 46-16-116, 46-16-122, 46-18-102, 46-18-115, 46-18-219, 46-18-220, 46-19-101, 46-20-204, 46-21-201, 46-23-201, 46-23-210, 46-23-301, 46-23-307, 46-23-315, 47-1-105, 47-1-202, 47-1-205, 47-1-216, 53-9-103, AND 53-30-403, MCA; REPEALING SECTIONS 45-3-109, 46-18-301, 46-18-302, 46-18-303, 46-18-304, 46-18-305, 46-18-306, 46-18-307, 46-18-308, 46-18-309, 46-18-310, 46-19-103, 46-19-201, 46-19-202, 46-19-203, AND 46-19-204, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE AND A RETROACTIVE APPLICABILITY DATE."

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

 

     Section 1.  Section 2-15-201, MCA, is amended to read:

     "2-15-201.  Powers and duties of governor. In addition to the duties prescribed by the constitution, the governor shall perform the following duties:

     (1)  He The governor shall supervise the official conduct of all executive and ministerial officers.

     (2)  He The governor shall see that all offices are filled and the duties thereof of the offices are performed or, in default thereof of performance, apply such a remedy as the law allows. If the remedy is imperfect, he the governor shall acquaint the legislature therewith with the issue at its next session.

     (3)  (a) He The governor shall make the appointments and supply the vacancies as required by law. When a vacancy in a position on a council, board, commission, or committee has occurred or is expected to occur and must be filled by gubernatorial appointment, the governor shall must have posted in a conspicuous place in the state capitol a notice:

     (i)  announcing the actual or anticipated vacancy in the position;

     (ii) describing the qualifications for the position, if any; and

     (iii) describing the procedure for applying for appointment to the position.

     (b)  A copy of the notice required under subsection (3)(a) must be sent to the lieutenant governor who may publish the notice in an appropriate publication.

     (4)  He The governor is the sole official organ of communication between the government of this state and the government of any other state or of the United States.

     (5)  Whenever any a suit or legal proceeding is pending against this state or which when a suit or legal proceeding may affect the title of this state to any property or which may result in any claim against the state, he the governor may direct the attorney general to appear on behalf of the state and may employ such additional counsel as he that the governor may judge expedient.

     (6)  He The governor may require the attorney general or county attorney of any county to inquire into the affairs or management of any corporation existing under the laws of this state.

     (7)  He The governor may require the attorney general to aid the county attorney in the discharge of his the county attorney's duties.

     (8)  He The governor may offer rewards not exceeding $1,000 each, payable out of the general fund, for the apprehension of any convict who has escaped from the state prison or any person who has committed or is charged with an offense punishable by death life imprisonment without possibility of release.

     (9)  He The governor shall perform such the duties respecting fugitives from justice as are prescribed by Title 46, chapter 30.

     (10) He The governor shall issue land warrants and patents, as prescribed in 77-2-342.

     (11) He The governor may require any officer or board to make special reports to him the governor, upon demand, in writing.

     (12) He The governor shall discharge the duties of member of the board of examiners, of nonvoting ex officio member of the state board of education, and of member of the board of land commissioners.

     (13) He The governor has the other powers and must shall perform the other duties as that are devolved upon him the governor by this code or any other law the laws of this state."

 

     Section 2.  Section 37-3-103, MCA, is amended to read:

     "37-3-103.  Exemptions from licensing requirements. (1) This chapter does not prohibit or require a license with respect to any of the following acts:

     (a)  the gratuitous rendering of services in cases of emergency or catastrophe;

     (b)  the rendering of services in this state by a physician lawfully practicing medicine in another state or territory. However, if the physician does not limit the services to an occasional case or if the physician has any established or regularly used hospital connections in this state or maintains or is provided with, for the physician's regular use, an office or other place for rendering the services, the physician must possess a license to practice medicine in this state.

     (c)  the practice of dentistry under the conditions and limitations defined by the laws of this state;

     (d)  the practice of podiatry under the conditions and limitations defined by the laws of this state;

     (e)  the practice of optometry under the conditions and limitations defined by the laws of this state;

     (f)  the practice of chiropractic under the conditions and limitations defined by the laws of this state;

     (g)  the practice of Christian Science, with or without compensation, and ritual circumcisions by rabbis;

     (h)  the practice of medicine by a physician licensed in another state and employed by the federal government;

     (i)  the rendering of nursing services by registered or other nurses in the lawful discharge of their duties as nurses or of midwife services by registered nurse-midwives under the conditions and limitations defined by law;

     (j)  the rendering of services by interns or resident physicians in a hospital or clinic in which they are training, subject to the conditions and limitations of this chapter. The board may require a resident physician to be licensed if the physician otherwise engages in the practice of medicine in the state of Montana.

     (k)  the rendering of services by a physical therapist, technician, medical assistant, as provided in 37-3-104, or other paramedical specialist under the appropriate amount and type of supervision of a person licensed under the laws of this state to practice medicine, but this exemption does not extend the scope of a paramedical specialist;

     (l)  the rendering of services by a physician assistant in accordance with Title 37, chapter 20;

     (m)  the practice by persons licensed under the laws of this state to practice a limited field of the healing arts, and not specifically designated, under the conditions and limitations defined by law;

     (n)  the execution of a death sentence pursuant to 46-19-103;

     (o)(n) the practice of direct-entry midwifery. For the purpose of this section, the practice of direct-entry midwifery means the advising, attending, or assisting of a woman during pregnancy, labor, natural childbirth, or the postpartum period. Except as authorized in 37-27-302, a direct-entry midwife may not dispense or administer a prescription drug, as those terms are defined in 37-7-101.

     (p)(o)  the use of an automated external defibrillator pursuant to Title 50, chapter 6, part 5.

     (2)  Licensees referred to in subsection (1) who are licensed to practice a limited field of healing arts shall confine themselves to the field for which they are licensed or registered and to the scope of their respective licenses and, with the exception of those licensees who hold a medical degree, may not use the title "M.D.", "D.O.", or any word or abbreviation to indicate or to induce others to believe that they are engaged in the diagnosis or treatment of persons afflicted with disease, injury, or defect of body or mind except to the extent and under the conditions expressly provided by the law under which they are licensed."

 

     Section 3.  Section 37-8-103, MCA, is amended to read:

     "37-8-103.  Exemptions -- limitations on authority conferred. (1) This chapter may not be construed as prohibiting:

     (a)  gratuitous nursing by friends or members of the family;

     (b)  incidental care of the sick by domestic servants or persons primarily employed as housekeepers;

     (c)  nursing assistance in the case of an emergency;

     (d)  the practice of nursing by students enrolled in approved nursing education programs;

     (e)  the practice of nursing in this state by any legally qualified nurse of another state whose engagement requires the nurse to accompany and care for a patient temporarily residing in this state during the period of one engagement not to exceed 6 months in length, provided if that person does not represent to the public that the person is a nurse licensed to practice in this state;

     (f)  the practice of any legally qualified nurse of another state who is employed by the United States government or any bureau, division, or agency of the United States while in the discharge of that nurse's official duties;

     (g)  nursing or care of the sick, with or without compensation, when done in connection with the practice of the religious tenets of any well-established religion or denomination by adherents of the religion or denomination;

     (h)  nursing or care of a minor who is in the care of a licensed foster parent, to the same extent that the care may be provided by a parent or guardian;

     (i)  the execution of a death sentence pursuant to 46-19-103;

     (j)(i)  nursing tasks delegated by licensed nurses to unlicensed persons according to rules adopted by the board; and

     (k)(j)  the provision of nutrition, inclusive of supplements and medications prescribed by a physician, an advanced practice registered nurse, or a physician assistant, to be administered to an individual through a gastrostomy or jejunostomy tube by a parent, guardian, foster parent, surrogate parent, other family member, or individual, regardless of compensation, who is authorized and trained by the individual receiving the nutrition, inclusive of supplements and prescribed medications, or who is authorized and trained by a parent, guardian, foster parent, surrogate parent, or other adult family member. The exemption in this subsection (1)(k) (1)(j) does not apply to provision of nutrition, inclusive of supplements and prescribed medications, in a licensed facility that provides skilled nursing care as provided in Title 50, chapter 5.

     (2)  This chapter may not be construed:

     (a)  as conferring any authority to practice medicine, surgery, or any combination of medicine or surgery;

     (b)  to confer any authority to practice any of the healing arts prescribed by law to be practiced in the state of Montana; or

     (c)  to permit any person to undertake the treatment of disease by any of the methods employed in the healing arts unless the licensee has been qualified under the applicable law or laws licensing the practice of those professions or healing arts in the state of Montana.

     (3)  (a) This chapter may not be construed to apply to a personal assistant performing health maintenance activities and acting at the direction of a person with a disability.

     (b)  The following definitions apply to this subsection (3):

     (i)  "Health care professional" means an individual licensed pursuant to Title 37 as a physician assistant, advanced practice registered nurse, registered nurse, or occupational therapist or a medical social worker working as a member of a case management team for the purposes of the home- and community-based services program of the department of public health and human services.

     (ii) "Health maintenance activities" includes urinary systems management, bowel treatments, administration of medications, and wound care if the activities in the opinion of the physician or other health care professional for the person with a disability could be performed by the person if the person were physically capable and if the procedure may be safely performed in the home.

     (iii) "Physician" means an individual licensed pursuant to Title 37, chapter 3."

 

     Section 4.  Section 41-5-1602, MCA, is amended to read:

     "41-5-1602.  Extended jurisdiction juvenile prosecution -- designation. (1) A youth court case involving a youth alleged to have committed an offense that would be a felony if committed by an adult, except an offense punishable by death or life imprisonment or when a sentence of 100 years could be imposed, is an extended jurisdiction juvenile prosecution if:

     (a)  the youth was at least 14 years of age at the time of the alleged offense, the county attorney requests that the case be designated an extended jurisdiction juvenile prosecution, a hearing is held under 41-5-1603, and the court designates the case as an extended jurisdiction juvenile prosecution;

     (b)  the county attorney designates in the delinquency petition that the proceeding is an extended jurisdiction juvenile prosecution and the youth is alleged to have committed:

     (i)  an offense that is listed under 41-5-206, except an offense punishable by death or life imprisonment or when a sentence of 100 years could be imposed; or

     (ii) any offense that would be a felony if committed by an adult, except an offense punishable by death or life imprisonment or when a sentence of 100 years could be imposed, in which the youth allegedly used a firearm, if the youth was at least 12 years of age at the time of the alleged offense; or

     (c)  after a hearing upon a motion for transfer of the matter of prosecution to the district court under 41-5-206, the court designates the case as an extended jurisdiction juvenile prosecution.

     (2)  To enforce the court's disposition in an extended jurisdiction juvenile prosecution, the court shall retain jurisdiction as provided in 41-5-205."

 

     Section 5.  Section 41-5-1604, MCA, is amended to read:

     "41-5-1604.  Disposition in extended jurisdiction juvenile prosecutions. (1) (a) After designation as an extended jurisdiction juvenile prosecution, the case must proceed with an adjudicatory hearing, as provided in 41-5-1502. If a youth in an extended jurisdiction juvenile prosecution admits to or is adjudicated to have committed an offense that would be a felony if committed by an adult, except an offense punishable by death or life imprisonment or when a sentence of 100 years could be imposed, the court shall, subject to subsection (1)(b), impose a single judgment consisting of:

     (i)  one or more juvenile dispositions under 41-5-1512 or 41-5-1513; and

     (ii) any sentence allowed by the statute that establishes the penalty for the offense of which the youth is convicted and that would be permissible if the offender were an adult. The execution of the sentence imposed under this subsection must be stayed on the condition that the youth not violate the provisions of the disposition order and not commit a new offense.

     (b)  The combined period of time of a juvenile disposition under subsection (1)(a)(i) plus an adult sentence under subsection (1)(a)(ii) may not exceed the maximum period of imprisonment that could be imposed on an adult convicted of the offense or offenses that brought the youth under the jurisdiction of the youth court. This subsection does not limit the power of the department to enter into a parole agreement with the youth pursuant to 52-5-126.

     (2)  If a youth prosecuted as an extended jurisdiction juvenile after designation by the county attorney in the delinquency petition under 41-5-1602(1)(b) admits to or is adjudicated to have committed an offense that would be a felony if committed by an adult that is not an offense described in 41-5-1602(1)(b), except an offense punishable by death or life imprisonment or when a sentence of 100 years could be imposed, the court shall adjudicate the youth delinquent and order a disposition under 41-5-1513.

     (3)  If a youth in an extended jurisdiction juvenile prosecution admits to or is adjudicated to have committed an offense that would not be a felony if committed by an adult, the court shall impose a disposition as provided under subsection (1)(a)."

 

     Section 6.  Section 41-5-2510, MCA, is amended to read:

     "41-5-2510.  Sentence review hearing. (1) When a youth has been convicted as an adult pursuant to the provisions of 41-5-206, except for offenses punishable by death or life imprisonment or when a sentence of 100 years could be imposed, the county attorney, defense attorney, or youth may, at any time before the youth reaches the age of 21, request a hearing to review the sentence imposed on the youth. The department shall notify the court of the youth's impending birthday no later than 90 days before the youth's 21st birthday.

     (2)  After reviewing the status report and upon motion for a hearing, the court shall determine whether to hold a criminally convicted youth sentence review hearing. If the court, in its discretion, determines that a sentence review hearing is warranted or is required under 41-5-2503, the hearing must be held within 90 days after the filing of the request or determination. The sentencing court or county attorney shall notify the victim of the offense pursuant to Title 46, chapter 24.

     (3)  The sentencing court shall review the department's records, formal youth court records, victim statements, and any other pertinent information.

     (4)  The sentencing court, after considering the criminal, social, psychological, and any other records of the youth; any evidence presented at the hearing; and any statements by the victim and by the parent or parents or guardian of the youth and any other advocates for the youth shall determine whether the criminally convicted youth has been substantially rehabilitated based upon a preponderance of the evidence.

     (5)  In the event that If the sentencing court determines that the youth has been substantially rehabilitated, the court shall determine whether to:

     (a)  suspend all or part of the remaining portion of the sentence, impose conditions and restrictions pursuant to 46-18-201, and place the youth on probation under the direction of the department, unless otherwise specified;

     (b)  impose all or part of the remaining sentence and make any additional recommendations to the department regarding the placement and treatment of the criminally convicted youth; or

     (c)  impose a combination of options allowed under subsections (5)(a) and (5)(b), not to exceed the total sentence remaining.

     (6)  The sentencing court may revoke a suspended sentence of a criminally convicted youth pursuant to 46-18-203."

 

     Section 7.  Section 44-5-103, MCA, is amended to read:

     "44-5-103.  Definitions. As used in this chapter, the following definitions apply:

     (1)  "Access" means the ability to read, change, copy, use, transfer, or disseminate criminal justice information maintained by criminal justice agencies.

     (2)  "Administration of criminal justice" means the performance of any of the following activities: detection, apprehension, detention, pretrial release, posttrial release, prosecution, adjudication, correctional supervision, or rehabilitation of accused persons or criminal offenders. It The term includes criminal identification activities and the collection, storage, and dissemination of criminal justice information.

     (3)  "Confidential criminal justice information" means:

     (a)  criminal investigative information;

     (b)  criminal intelligence information;

     (c)  fingerprints and photographs;

     (d)  criminal justice information or records made confidential by law; and

     (e)  any other criminal justice information not clearly defined as public criminal justice information.

     (4)  (a) "Criminal history record information" means information about individuals collected by criminal justice agencies consisting of identifiable descriptions and notations of arrests; detentions; the filing of complaints, indictments, or informations and dispositions arising therefrom from the filing; sentences; correctional status; and release. It The term includes identification information, such as fingerprint records or photographs, unless the information is obtained for purposes other than the administration of criminal justice.

     (b)  Criminal history record information does not include:

     (i)  records of traffic offenses maintained by the department of justice; or

     (ii) court records.

     (5)  (a) "Criminal intelligence information" means information associated with an identifiable individual, group, organization, or event compiled by a criminal justice agency:

     (i)  in the course of conducting an investigation relating to a major criminal conspiracy, projecting potential criminal operation, or producing an estimate of future major criminal activities; or

     (ii) in relation to the reliability of information, including information derived from reports of informants or investigators or from any type of surveillance.

     (b)  Criminal intelligence information does not include information relating to political surveillance or criminal investigative information.

     (6)  (a) "Criminal investigative information" means information associated with an individual, group, organization, or event compiled by a criminal justice agency in the course of conducting an investigation of a crime or crimes. It The term includes information about a crime or crimes derived from reports of informants or investigators or from any type of surveillance.

     (b)  The term does not include criminal intelligence information.

     (7)  "Criminal justice agency" means:

     (a)  any court with criminal jurisdiction;

     (b)  any federal, state, or local government agency designated by statute or by a governor's executive order to perform as its principal function the administration of criminal justice, including a fire agency or fire marshal that conducts criminal investigations of fires;

     (c)  any local government agency not included under subsection (7)(b) that performs as its principal function the administration of criminal justice pursuant to an ordinance or local executive order; or

     (d)  any agency of a foreign nation that has been designated by that nation's law or chief executive officer to perform as its principal function the administration of criminal justice and that has been approved for the receipt of criminal justice information by the Montana attorney general, who may consult with the United States department of justice.

     (8)  (a) "Criminal justice information" means information relating to criminal justice collected, processed, or preserved by a criminal justice agency.

     (b)  The term does not include the administrative records of a criminal justice agency.

     (9)  "Criminal justice information system" means a system, automated or manual, operated by foreign, federal, regional, state, or local governments or governmental organizations for collecting, processing, preserving, or disseminating criminal justice information. It The term includes equipment, facilities, procedures, and agreements.

     (10) (a) "Disposition" means information disclosing that criminal proceedings against an individual have terminated and describing the nature of the termination or information relating to sentencing, correctional supervision, release from correctional supervision, the outcome of appellate or collateral review of criminal proceedings, or executive clemency. Criminal proceedings have terminated if a decision has been made not to bring charges or criminal proceedings have been concluded, abandoned, or indefinitely postponed.

     (b)  Particular dispositions include but are not limited to:

     (i)  conviction at trial or on a plea of guilty;

     (ii) acquittal;

     (iii) acquittal by reason of mental disease or defect;

     (iv) acquittal by reason of mental incompetence;

     (v)  the sentence imposed, including all conditions attached to the sentence by the sentencing judge;

     (vi) deferred imposition of sentence with any conditions of deferral;

     (vii) nolle prosequi;

     (viii) a nolo contendere plea;

     (ix) deferred prosecution or diversion;

     (x)  bond forfeiture;

     (xi) death;

     (xii)(xi) release as a result of a successful collateral attack;

     (xiii)(xii) dismissal of criminal proceedings by the court with or without the commencement of a civil action for determination of mental incompetence or mental illness;

     (xiv)(xiii) a finding of civil incompetence or mental illness;

     (xv)(xiv) exercise of executive clemency;

     (xvi)(xv) correctional placement on probation or parole or release; or

     (xvii)(xvi) revocation of probation or parole.

     (c)  A single arrest of an individual may result in more than one disposition.

     (11) "Dissemination" means the communication or transfer of criminal justice information to individuals or agencies other than the criminal justice agency that maintains the information. It The term includes confirmation of the existence or nonexistence of criminal justice information.

     (12) "Fingerprints" means the recorded friction ridge skin of the fingers, palms, or soles of the feet.

     (13) "Public criminal justice information" means:

     (a)  information made public by law;

     (b)  information of court records and proceedings;

     (c)  information of convictions, deferred sentences, and deferred prosecutions;

     (d)  information of postconviction proceedings and status;

     (e)  information originated by a criminal justice agency, including:

     (i)  initial offense reports;

     (ii) initial arrest records;

     (iii) bail records; and

     (iv) daily jail occupancy rosters;

     (f)  information considered necessary by a criminal justice agency to secure public assistance in the apprehension of a suspect; or

     (g)  statistical information.

     (14) "State repository" means the recordkeeping systems maintained by the department of justice pursuant to 44-2-201 in which criminal history record information is collected, processed, preserved, and disseminated.

     (15) "Statistical information" means data derived from records in which individuals are not identified or identification is deleted and from which neither individual identity nor any other unique characteristic that could identify an individual is ascertainable."

 

     Section 8.  Section 44-6-101, MCA, is amended to read:

     "44-6-101.  Definitions. As used in this part, the following definitions apply:

     (1)  "Biological sample" means cheek cells removed by using a buccal swab of a type authorized by the department or a vial or other container of blood.

     (2)  "Department" means the department of justice provided for in 2-15-2001.

     (3)  "DNA" means deoxyribonucleic acid.

     (4)  "DNA identification index" means the DNA identification record system established under 44-6-102.

     (5)  "DNA record" means DNA identification information stored in the DNA identification index for purposes of establishing identification in connection with law enforcement investigations or supporting statistical interpretation of the results of DNA analysis. The DNA record is considered the objective form of the results of a DNA analysis, such as the numerical representation of DNA fragment lengths, autoradiographs and the digital image of autoradiographs, and discrete allele assignment numbers.

     (6)  "DNA testing" means DNA analysis of materials derived from the human body for the purposes of identification consistent with this part.

     (7)  "Felony offense" means any offense under the Montana Code Annotated for which the maximum potential sentence under statute is death or imprisonment in a state prison for a term exceeding 1 year.

     (8)  "Forensic DNA laboratory" means any laboratory operated by state government that performs DNA analysis on materials derived from the human body for use as evidence in a criminal proceeding or for purposes of identification.

     (9)  "Marker" means a method of describing individuals by genetic profile, such as blood or DNA type, and has the specific meaning given to the word by department rule, which must take into account the meaning generally given to the word for forensic typing by DNA technologists.

     (10) "Sexual offense" means the offenses contained in the definition of that term in 46-23-502.

     (11) "Violent offense" has the meaning contained in 46-23-502."

 

     Section 9.  Section 45-2-101, MCA, is amended to read:

     "45-2-101.  General definitions. Unless otherwise specified in the statute, all words must be taken in the objective standard rather than in the subjective, and unless a different meaning plainly is required, the following definitions apply in this title:

     (1)  "Acts" has its usual and ordinary meaning and includes any bodily movement, any form of communication, and when relevant, a failure or omission to take action.

     (2)  "Administrative proceeding" means a proceeding the outcome of which is required to be based on a record or documentation prescribed by law or in which a law or a regulation is particularized in its application to an individual.

     (3)  "Another" means a person or persons other than the offender.

     (4)  (a) "Benefit" means gain or advantage or anything regarded by the beneficiary as gain or advantage, including benefit to another person or entity in whose welfare the beneficiary is interested.

     (b)  Benefit does not include an advantage promised generally to a group or class of voters as a consequence of public measures that a candidate engages to support or oppose.

     (5)  "Bodily injury" means physical pain, illness, or an impairment of physical condition and includes mental illness or impairment.

     (6)  "Child" or "children" means any individual or individuals under 18 years of age, unless a different age is specified.

     (7)  "Cohabit" means to live together under the representation of being married.

     (8)  "Common scheme" means a series of acts or omissions motivated by a purpose to accomplish a single criminal objective or by a common purpose or plan that results in the repeated commission of the same offense or that affects the same person or the same persons or the property of the same person or persons.

     (9)  "Computer" means an electronic device that performs logical, arithmetic, and memory functions by the manipulation of electronic or magnetic impulses and includes all input, output, processing, storage, software, or communication facilities that are connected or related to that device in a system or network.

     (10) "Computer network" means the interconnection of communication systems between computers or computers and remote terminals.

     (11) "Computer program" means an instruction or statement or a series of instructions or statements, in a form acceptable to a computer, that in actual or modified form permits the functioning of a computer or computer system and causes it to perform specified functions.

     (12) "Computer services" include includes but are is not limited to computer time, data processing, and storage functions.

     (13) "Computer software" means a set of computer programs, procedures, and associated documentation concerned with the operation of a computer system.

     (14) "Computer system" means a set of related, connected, or unconnected devices, computer software, or other related computer equipment.

     (15) "Conduct" means an act or series of acts and the accompanying mental state.

     (16) "Conviction" means a judgment of conviction or sentence entered upon a plea of guilty or nolo contendere or upon a verdict or finding of guilty of an offense rendered by a legally constituted jury or by a court of competent jurisdiction authorized to try the case without a jury.

     (17) "Correctional institution" means a state prison, detention center, multijurisdictional detention center, private detention center, regional correctional facility, private correctional facility, or other institution for the incarceration of inmates under sentence for offenses or the custody of individuals awaiting trial or sentence for offenses.

     (18) "Deception" means knowingly to:

     (a)  create or confirm in another an impression that is false and that the offender does not believe to be true;

     (b)  fail to correct a false impression that the offender previously has created or confirmed;

     (c)  prevent another from acquiring information pertinent to the disposition of the property involved;

     (d)  sell or otherwise transfer or encumber property without disclosing a lien, adverse claim, or other legal impediment to the enjoyment of the property, whether the impediment is or is not of value or is or is not a matter of official record; or

     (e)  promise performance that the offender does not intend to perform or knows will not be performed. Failure to perform, standing alone, is not evidence that the offender did not intend to perform.

     (19) "Defamatory matter" means anything that exposes a person or a group, class, or association to hatred, contempt, ridicule, degradation, or disgrace in society or to injury to the person's or its business or occupation.

     (20) "Deprive" means:

     (a)  to withhold property of another:

     (i)  permanently;

     (ii) for such a period as to appropriate a portion of its value; or

     (iii) with the purpose to restore it only upon payment of reward or other compensation; or

     (b)  to dispose of the property of another and use or deal with the property so as to make it unlikely that the owner will recover it.

     (21) "Deviate sexual relations" means sexual contact or sexual intercourse between two persons of the same sex or any form of sexual intercourse with an animal.

     (22) "Document" means, with respect to offenses involving the medicaid program, any application, claim, form, report, record, writing, or correspondence, whether in written, electronic, magnetic, microfilm, or other form.

     (23) "Felony" means an offense in which the sentence imposed upon conviction is death or imprisonment in a state prison for a term exceeding 1 year.

     (24) "Forcible felony" means a felony that involves the use or threat of physical force or violence against any individual.

     (25) A "frisk" is a search by an external patting of a person's clothing.

     (26) "Government" includes a branch, subdivision, or agency of the government of the state or a locality within it.

     (27) "Harm" means loss, disadvantage, or injury or anything so regarded by the person affected, including loss, disadvantage, or injury to a person or entity in whose welfare the affected person is interested.

     (28) A "house of prostitution" means a place where prostitution or promotion of prostitution is regularly carried on by one or more persons under the control, management, or supervision of another.

     (29) "Human being" means a person who has been born and is alive.

     (30) An "illegal article" is an article or thing that is prohibited by statute, rule, or order from being in the possession of a person subject to official detention.

     (31) "Inmate" means a person who is confined in a correctional institution.

     (32) (a) "Intoxicating substance" means a controlled substance, as defined in Title 50, chapter 32, and an alcoholic beverage, including but not limited to a beverage containing 1/2 of 1% or more of alcohol by volume.

     (b)  Intoxicating substance does not include dealcoholized wine or a beverage or liquid produced by the process by which beer, ale, port, or wine is produced if it contains less than 1/2 of 1% of alcohol by volume.

     (33) An "involuntary act" means an act that is:

     (a)  a reflex or convulsion;

     (b)  a bodily movement during unconsciousness or sleep;

     (c)  conduct during hypnosis or resulting from hypnotic suggestion; or

     (d)  a bodily movement that otherwise is not a product of the effort or determination of the actor, either conscious or habitual.

     (34) "Juror" means a person who is a member of a jury, including a grand jury, impaneled by a court in this state in an action or proceeding or by an officer authorized by law to impanel a jury in an action or proceeding. The term "juror" also includes a person who has been drawn or summoned to attend as a prospective juror.

     (35) "Knowingly"--a person acts knowingly with respect to conduct or to a circumstance described by a statute defining an offense when the person is aware of the person's own conduct or that the circumstance exists. A person acts knowingly with respect to the result of conduct described by a statute defining an offense when the person is aware that it is highly probable that the result will be caused by the person's conduct. When knowledge of the existence of a particular fact is an element of an offense, knowledge is established if a person is aware of a high probability of its existence. Equivalent terms, such as "knowing" or "with knowledge", have the same meaning.

     (36) "Medicaid" means the Montana medical assistance program provided for in Title 53, chapter 6.

     (37) "Medicaid agency" has the meaning in 53-6-155.

     (38) "Medicaid benefit" means the provision of anything of pecuniary value to or on behalf of a recipient under the medicaid program.

     (39) (a) "Medicaid claim" means a communication, whether in oral, written, electronic, magnetic, or other form:

     (i)  that is used to claim specific services or items as payable or reimbursable under the medicaid program; or

     (ii) that states income, expense, or other information that is or may be used to determine entitlement to or the rate of payment under the medicaid program.

     (b)  The term includes related documents submitted as a part of or in support of the claim.

     (40) "Mentally defective" means that a person suffers from a mental disease or defect that renders the person incapable of appreciating the nature of the person's own conduct.

     (41) "Mentally incapacitated" means that a person is rendered temporarily incapable of appreciating or controlling the person's own conduct as a result of the influence of an intoxicating substance.

     (42) "Misdemeanor" means an offense for which the sentence imposed upon conviction is imprisonment in the county jail for a term or a fine, or both, or for which the sentence imposed is imprisonment in a state prison for a term of 1 year or less.

     (43) "Negligently"--a person acts negligently with respect to a result or to a circumstance described by a statute defining an offense when the person consciously disregards a risk that the result will occur or that the circumstance exists or when the person disregards a risk of which the person should be aware that the result will occur or that the circumstance exists. The risk must be of a nature and degree that to disregard it involves a gross deviation from the standard of conduct that a reasonable person would observe in the actor's situation. "Gross deviation" means a deviation that is considerably greater than lack of ordinary care. Relevant terms, such as "negligent" and "with negligence", have the same meaning.

     (44) "Nolo contendere" means a plea in which the defendant does not contest the charge or charges against the defendant and neither admits nor denies the charge or charges.

     (45) "Obtain" means:

     (a)  in relation to property, to bring about a transfer of interest or possession, whether to the offender or to another; and

     (b)  in relation to labor or services, to secure the performance of the labor or service services.

     (46) "Obtains or exerts control" includes but is not limited to the taking, the carrying away, or the sale, conveyance, or transfer of title to, interest in, or possession of property.

     (47) "Occupied structure" means any building, vehicle, or other place suitable for human occupancy or night lodging of persons or for carrying on business, whether or not a person is actually present. Each unit of a building consisting of two or more units separately secured or occupied is a separate occupied structure.

     (48) "Offender" means a person who has been or is liable to be arrested, charged, convicted, or punished for a public offense.

     (49) "Offense" means a crime for which a sentence of death or of imprisonment or a fine is authorized. Offenses are classified as felonies or misdemeanors.

     (50) (a) "Official detention" means imprisonment resulting from a conviction for an offense, confinement for an offense, confinement of a person charged with an offense, detention by a peace officer pursuant to arrest, detention for extradition or deportation, or lawful detention for the purpose of the protection of the welfare of the person detained or for the protection of society.

     (b)  Official detention does not include supervision of probation or parole, constraint incidental to release on bail, or an unlawful arrest unless the person arrested employed physical force, a threat of physical force, or a weapon to escape.

     (51) "Official proceeding" means a proceeding heard or that may be heard before a legislative, a judicial, an administrative, or another governmental agency or official authorized to take evidence under oath, including any referee, hearings examiner, commissioner, notary, or other person taking testimony or deposition in connection with the proceeding.

     (52) "Other state" means a state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

     (53) "Owner" means a person other than the offender who has possession of or other interest in the property involved, even though the interest or possession is unlawful, and without whose consent the offender has no authority to exert control over the property.

     (54) "Party official" means a person who holds an elective or appointive post in a political party in the United States by virtue of which the person directs or conducts or participates in directing or conducting party affairs at any level of responsibility.

     (55) "Peace officer" means a person who by virtue of the person's office or public employment is vested by law with a duty to maintain public order or to make arrests for offenses while acting within the scope of the person's authority.

     (56) "Pecuniary benefit" is benefit in the form of money, property, commercial interests, or anything else the primary significance of which is economic gain.

     (57) "Person" includes an individual, business association, partnership, corporation, government, or other legal entity and an individual acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of a government or subdivision of government.

     (58) "Physically helpless" means that a person is unconscious or is otherwise physically unable to communicate unwillingness to act.

     (59) "Possession" is the knowing control of anything for a sufficient time to be able to terminate control.

     (60) "Premises" includes any type of structure or building and real property.

     (61) "Property" means a tangible or intangible thing of value. Property includes but is not limited to:

     (a)  real estate;

     (b)  money;

     (c)  commercial instruments;

     (d)  admission or transportation tickets;

     (e)  written instruments that represent or embody rights concerning anything of value, including labor or services, or that are otherwise of value to the owner;

     (f)  things growing on, affixed to, or found on land and things that are part of or affixed to a building;

     (g)  electricity, gas, and water;

     (h)  birds, animals, and fish that ordinarily are kept in a state of confinement;

     (i)  food and drink, samples, cultures, microorganisms, specimens, records, recordings, documents, blueprints, drawings, maps, and whole or partial copies, descriptions, photographs, prototypes, or models thereof;

     (j)  other articles, materials, devices, substances, and whole or partial copies, descriptions, photographs, prototypes, or models thereof that constitute, represent, evidence, reflect, or record secret scientific, technical, merchandising, production, or management information or a secret designed process, procedure, formula, invention, or improvement; and

     (k)  electronic impulses, electronically processed or produced data or information, commercial instruments, computer software or computer programs, in either machine- or human-readable form, computer services, any other tangible or intangible item of value relating to a computer, computer system, or computer network, and copies thereof.

     (62) "Property of another" means real or personal property in which a person other than the offender has an interest that the offender has no authority to defeat or impair, even though the offender may have an interest in the property.

     (63) "Public place" means a place to which the public or a substantial group has access.

     (64) (a) "Public servant" means an officer or employee of government, including but not limited to legislators, judges, and firefighters, and a person participating as a juror, adviser, consultant, administrator, executor, guardian, or court-appointed fiduciary. The term "public servant" includes one who has been elected or designated to become a public servant.

     (b)  The term does not include witnesses.

     (65) "Purposely"--a person acts purposely with respect to a result or to conduct described by a statute defining an offense if it is the person's conscious object to engage in that conduct or to cause that result. When a particular purpose is an element of an offense, the element is established although the purpose is conditional, unless the condition negatives the harm or evil sought to be prevented by the law defining the offense. Equivalent terms, such as "purpose" and "with the purpose", have the same meaning.

     (66) (a) "Serious bodily injury" means bodily injury that:

     (i)  creates a substantial risk of death;

     (ii) causes serious permanent disfigurement or protracted loss or impairment of the function or process of a bodily member or organ; or

     (iii) at the time of injury, can reasonably be expected to result in serious permanent disfigurement or protracted loss or impairment of the function or process of a bodily member or organ.

     (b)  The term includes serious mental illness or impairment.

     (67) "Sexual contact" means touching of the sexual or other intimate parts of the person of another, directly or through clothing, in order to knowingly or purposely:

     (a)  cause bodily injury to or humiliate, harass, or degrade another; or

     (b)  arouse or gratify the sexual response or desire of either party.

     (68) (a) "Sexual intercourse" means penetration of the vulva, anus, or mouth of one person by the penis of another person, penetration of the vulva or anus of one person by a body member of another person, or penetration of the vulva or anus of one person by a foreign instrument or object manipulated by another person to knowingly or purposely:

     (i)  cause bodily injury or humiliate, harass, or degrade; or

     (ii) arouse or gratify the sexual response or desire of either party.

     (b)  For purposes of subsection (68)(a), any penetration, however slight, is sufficient.

     (69) "Solicit" or "solicitation" means to command, authorize, urge, incite, request, or advise another to commit an offense.

     (70) "State" or "this state" means the state of Montana, all the land and water in respect to which the state of Montana has either exclusive or concurrent jurisdiction, and the air space above the land and water.

     (71) "Statute" means an act of the legislature of this state.

     (72) "Stolen property" means property over which control has been obtained by theft.

     (73) A "stop" is the temporary detention of a person that results when a peace officer orders the person to remain in the peace officer's presence.

     (74) "Tamper" means to interfere with something improperly, meddle with it, make unwarranted alterations in its existing condition, or deposit refuse upon it.

     (75) "Telephone" means any type of telephone, including but not limited to a corded, uncorded, cellular, or satellite telephone.

     (76) "Threat" means a menace, however communicated, to:

     (a)  inflict physical harm on the person threatened or any other person or on property;

     (b)  subject any person to physical confinement or restraint;

     (c)  commit a criminal offense;

     (d)  accuse a person of a criminal offense;

     (e)  expose a person to hatred, contempt, or ridicule;

     (f)  harm the credit or business repute of a person;

     (g)  reveal information sought to be concealed by the person threatened;

     (h)  take action as an official against anyone or anything, withhold official action, or cause the action or withholding;

     (i)  bring about or continue a strike, boycott, or other similar collective action if the person making the threat demands or receives property that is not for the benefit of groups that the person purports to represent; or

     (j)  testify or provide information or withhold testimony or information with respect to another's legal claim or defense.

     (77) (a) "Value" means the market value of the property at the time and place of the crime or, if the market value cannot be satisfactorily ascertained, the cost of the replacement of the property within a reasonable time after the crime. If the offender appropriates a portion of the value of the property, the value must be determined as follows:

     (i)  The value of an instrument constituting an evidence of debt, such as a check, draft, or promissory note, is considered the amount due or collectible. The figure is ordinarily the face amount of the indebtedness less any portion of the indebtedness that has been satisfied.

     (ii) The value of any other instrument that creates, releases, discharges, or otherwise affects any valuable legal right, privilege, or obligation is considered the amount of economic loss that the owner of the instrument might reasonably suffer by virtue of the loss of the instrument.

     (iii) The value of electronic impulses, electronically produced data or information, computer software or programs, or any other tangible or intangible item relating to a computer, computer system, or computer network is considered to be the amount of economic loss that the owner of the item might reasonably suffer by virtue of the loss of the item. The determination of the amount of economic loss includes but is not limited to consideration of the value of the owner's right to exclusive use or disposition of the item.

     (b)  When it cannot be determined if the value of the property is more or less than $1,000 by the standards set forth in subsection (77)(a), its value is considered to be an amount less than $1,000.

     (c)  Amounts involved in thefts committed pursuant to a common scheme or the same transaction, whether from the same person or several persons, may be aggregated in determining the value of the property.

     (78) "Vehicle" means a device for transportation by land, water, or air or by mobile equipment, with provision for transport of an operator.

     (79) "Weapon" means an instrument, article, or substance that, regardless of its primary function, is readily capable of being used to produce death or serious bodily injury.

     (80) "Witness" means a person whose testimony is desired in an official proceeding, in any investigation by a grand jury, or in a criminal action, prosecution, or proceeding."

 

     Section 10.  Section 45-2-212, MCA, is amended to read:

     "45-2-212.  Compulsion. A person is not guilty of an offense, other than an offense punishable with death by life imprisonment without possibility of release, by reason of conduct which he that the person performs under the compulsion of threat or menace of the imminent infliction of death or serious bodily harm if he the person reasonably believes that death or serious bodily harm will be inflicted upon him the person if he the person does not perform such the conduct."

 

     Section 11.  Section 45-5-102, MCA, is amended to read:

     "45-5-102.  Deliberate homicide. (1) A person commits the offense of deliberate homicide if:

     (a)  the person purposely or knowingly causes the death of another human being; or

     (b)  the person attempts to commit, commits, or is legally accountable for the attempt or commission of robbery, sexual intercourse without consent, arson, burglary, kidnapping, aggravated kidnapping, felonious escape, assault with a weapon, aggravated assault, or any other forcible felony and in the course of the forcible felony or flight thereafter, the person or any person legally accountable for the crime causes the death of another human being.

     (2)  A person convicted of the offense of deliberate homicide shall be punished by death as provided in 46-18-301 through 46-18-310, unless the person is less than 18 years of age at the time of the commission of the offense, by life imprisonment, or by imprisonment in the state prison for a term of not less than 10 years or more than 100 years, or by life imprisonment without possibility of release as provided in 46-18-219(2), except as provided in 46-18-219 and 46-18-222."

 

     Section 12.  Section 45-5-303, MCA, is amended to read:

     "45-5-303.  Aggravated kidnapping. (1) A person commits the offense of aggravated kidnapping if the person knowingly or purposely and without lawful authority restrains another person by either secreting or holding the other person in a place of isolation or by using or threatening to use physical force, with any of the following purposes:

     (a)  to hold for ransom or reward or as a shield or hostage;

     (b)  to facilitate commission of any felony or flight thereafter;

     (c)  to inflict bodily injury on or to terrorize the victim or another;

     (d)  to interfere with the performance of any governmental or political function; or

     (e)  to hold another in a condition of involuntary servitude.

     (2)  Except as provided in 46-18-219 and 46-18-222, a person convicted of the offense of aggravated kidnapping shall be punished by death or life imprisonment as provided in 46-18-301 through 46-18-310 or be imprisoned, by imprisonment in the state prison for a term of not less than 2 years or more than 100 years, or by life imprisonment without possibility of release as provided in 46-18-219(2) and may be fined not more than $50,000, unless the person has voluntarily released the victim alive, in a safe place, and with no serious bodily injury, in which event the person shall be imprisoned in the state prison for a term of not less than 2 years or more than 10 years and may be fined not more than $50,000."

 

     Section 13.  Section 45-5-503, MCA, is amended to read:

     "45-5-503.  Sexual intercourse without consent. (1) A person who knowingly has sexual intercourse without consent with another person commits the offense of sexual intercourse without consent. A person may not be convicted under this section based on the age of the person's spouse, as provided in 45-5-501(1)(b)(iv).

     (2)  A person convicted of sexual intercourse without consent shall be punished by life imprisonment or by imprisonment in the state prison for a term of not less than 2 years or more than 100 years and may be fined not more than $50,000, except as provided in 46-18-219 and 46-18-222.

     (3)  (a) If the victim is less than 16 years old and the offender is 3 or more years older than the victim or if the offender inflicts bodily injury upon anyone in the course of committing sexual intercourse without consent, the offender shall be punished by life imprisonment or by imprisonment in the state prison for a term of not less than 4 years or more than 100 years and may be fined not more than $50,000, except as provided in 46-18-219 and 46-18-222.

     (b)  If two or more persons are convicted of sexual intercourse without consent with the same victim in an incident in which each offender was present at the location where another offender's offense occurred during a time period in which each offender could have reasonably known of the other's offense, each offender shall be punished by life imprisonment or by imprisonment in the state prison for a term of not less than 5 years or more than 100 years and may be fined not more than $50,000, except as provided in 46-18-219 and 46-18-222.

     (c)  If the offender was previously convicted of an offense under this section or of an offense under the laws of another state or of the United States that if committed in this state would be an offense under this section and if the offender inflicted serious bodily injury upon a person in the course of committing each offense, the offender shall be:

     (i)  punished by death as provided in 46-18-301 through 46-18-310, unless the offender is less than 18 years of age at the time of the commission of the offense; or

     (ii) punished as provided in 46-18-219.

     (d)  If the victim was incarcerated in an adult or juvenile correctional, detention, or treatment facility at the time of the offense and the offender had supervisory or disciplinary authority over the victim, the offender shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for a term of not more than 5 years or fined an amount not to exceed $50,000, or both.

     (4)  In addition to any sentence imposed under subsection (2) or (3), after determining the financial resources and future ability of the offender to pay restitution as required by 46-18-242, the court shall require the offender, if able, to pay the victim's reasonable medical and counseling costs that result from the offense. The amount, method, and time of payment must be determined in the same manner as provided for in 46-18-244.

     (5)  As used in subsection (3), an act "in the course of committing sexual intercourse without consent" includes an attempt to commit the offense or flight after the attempt or commission."

 

     Section 14.  Section 46-1-401, MCA, is amended to read:

     "46-1-401.  Penalty enhancement -- pleading, proof, and mental state requirements. (1) A court may not impose a penalty enhancement specified in Title 45, Title 46, or any other provision of law unless:

     (a)  the enhancing act, omission, or fact was charged in the information, complaint, or indictment, with a reference to the statute or statutes containing the enhancing act, omission, or fact and the penalty for the enhancing act, omission, or fact;

     (b)  if the case was tried before a jury, the jury unanimously found in a separate finding that the enhancing act, omission, or fact occurred beyond a reasonable doubt;

     (c)  if the case was tried to the court without a jury, the court finds beyond a reasonable doubt that the enhancing act, omission, or fact occurred; and

     (d)  a defendant who knowingly and voluntarily pleaded guilty to an offense also admitted to the enhancing act, omission, or fact.

     (2)  The enhancement issue may be submitted to a jury on a form separate from the verdict form or may be separately stated on the verdict form. The jury must be instructed that it is to reach a verdict on the offense charged in the information, complaint, or indictment before the jury can consider whether the enhancing act, omission, or fact occurred.

     (3)  An enhancing act, omission, or fact is an act, omission, or fact, whether stated in the statute defining the charged offense or stated in another statute, that is not included in the statutory definition of the elements of the charged offense and that allows or requires a sentencing court to add to, as provided by statute, a penalty provided by statute for the charged offense or to impose the death penalty instead of a statutory incarceration period provided by statute for the charged offense. Except as provided in subsection (4), the aggravating circumstances contained in 46-18-303 are enhancing acts, omissions, or facts.

     (4)  Use of the fact of one or more prior convictions for the same type of offense or for one or more other types of offenses to enhance the penalty for a charged offense is not subject to the requirements of this section."

 

     Section 15.  Section 46-4-201, MCA, is amended to read:

     "46-4-201.  Inquest -- definition -- when held -- how conducted. (1) An inquest is a formal inquiry into the causes of and circumstances surrounding the death of a person and is conducted by the coroner before a coroner's jury.

     (2)  The coroner may hold an inquest only if requested to do so by the county attorney of the county in which death occurred or by the county attorney of the county in which the acts or events causing death occurred. However, the county attorney shall order the coroner to hold an inquest if the death of a person occurs:

     (a)  in a prison, jail, or other correctional facility and is not caused by the terminal condition, as defined in 50-9-102, of, or the execution of a death penalty upon, the person while the person is incarcerated in the prison, jail, or other correctional facility because of conviction of a criminal offense. This subsection (2)(a) applies to a death caused by a terminal condition only if the person was under medical care at the time of death.

     (b) while a person is being taken into custody or is in the custody of a peace officer or if the death is caused by a peace officer, except when criminal charges have been or will be filed.

     (3)  If an inquest is held, the proceedings are public. The coroner shall conduct the inquest with the aid and assistance of the county attorney. The coroner shall, and the county attorney may, examine each witness, after which the witness may be examined by the jurors. The inquest must be held in accordance with this part.

     (4)  (a) A coroner who also serves as a peace officer may not conduct an inquest into the death of a person who:

     (i)  died in a prison, jail, or other correctional facility;

     (ii) died while in the custody of a peace officer; or

     (iii) was killed by a peace officer.

     (b)  If a coroner is disqualified under subsection (4)(a), the county attorney shall request a qualified coroner of a neighboring county to conduct the inquest. The expenses of a coroner fulfilling the request, including salary, must be paid by the requesting county."

 

     Section 16.  Section 46-9-102, MCA, is amended to read:

     "46-9-102.  Bailable offenses. (1) All persons shall be are bailable before conviction, except when death life imprisonment without possibility of release is a possible punishment for the offense charged and the proof is evident or the presumption is great that the person is guilty of the offense charged.

     (2)  On the hearing of an application for admission to bail made before or after indictment or information for a capital offense an offense punishable by life imprisonment without possibility of release, the burden of showing that the proof is evident or the presumption is great that the defendant is guilty of the offense is on the state."

 

     Section 17.  Section 46-9-106, MCA, is amended to read:

     "46-9-106.  Release or detention of defendant pending trial. Before a verdict has been rendered, the court shall:

     (1)  authorize the release of the defendant upon reasonable conditions that ensure the appearance of the defendant and protect the safety of the community or of any person; or

     (2)  detain the defendant when there is probable cause to believe that the defendant committed an offense for which death life imprisonment without possibility of release is a possible punishment and adequate safeguards are not available to ensure the defendant's appearance and the safety of the community."

 

     Section 18.  Section 46-16-115, MCA, is amended to read:

     "46-16-115.  Challenges for cause. (1) Each party may challenge jurors for cause, and each challenge must be tried by the court.

     (2)  A challenge for cause may be taken for all or any of the following reasons or for any other reason that the court determines:

     (a)  having consanguinity or relationship to the defendant or to the person who is alleged to be injured by the offense charged or on whose complaint the prosecution was instituted;

     (b)  standing in the relation of guardian and ward, attorney and client, master and servant, landlord and tenant, or debtor and creditor with or being a member of the family or in the employment of the defendant or the person who is alleged to be injured by the offense charged or on whose complaint the prosecution was instituted;

     (c)  being a party adverse to the defendant in a civil action or having complained against or been accused by the defendant in a criminal prosecution;

     (d)  having served on the grand jury that found the indictment or on a coroner's jury that inquired into the death of a person whose death is the subject of the indictment or information;

     (e)  having served on a trial jury that tried another person for the offense charged or a related offense;

     (f)  having been a member of a jury formerly sworn to try the same charge, the verdict of which was set aside or which was discharged without verdict after the case was submitted to it;

     (g)  having served as a juror in a civil action brought against the defendant for the act charged as an offense;

     (h)  if the offense charged is punishable with death, having any conscientious opinions concerning the punishment as would preclude finding the defendant guilty, in which case the person must neither be permitted nor compelled to serve as a juror;

     (i)(h)  having a belief that the punishment fixed by law is too severe for the offense charged; or

     (j)(i)  having a state of mind in reference to the case or to either of the parties that would prevent the juror from acting with entire impartiality and without prejudice to the substantial rights of either party.

     (3)  An excuse from service on a jury is not a cause of challenge but the privilege of the person excused."

 

     Section 19.  Section 46-16-116, MCA, is amended to read:

     "46-16-116.  Peremptory challenges. (1) Each defendant is allowed eight six peremptory challenges in capital cases and six in all other cases a case tried in the district court before a 12-person jury. There may not be additional challenges for separate counts charged in the indictment or information.

     (2)  If the indictment or information charges a capital offense as well as lesser offenses in separate counts, the maximum number of challenges is eight.

     (3)(2)  The state is allowed the same number of peremptory challenges as all of the defendants.

     (4)(3)  In a criminal case tried before a six-person jury, the prosecution and all the defendants are allowed three peremptory challenges each.

     (5)(4)  When the parties in a criminal case in the district court agree upon a jury consisting of a number of persons other than 6 or 12, they shall also agree in writing upon the number of peremptory challenges to be allowed."

 

     Section 20.  Section 46-16-122, MCA, is amended to read:

     "46-16-122.  Absence of defendant from trial. (1) In a misdemeanor case, if the defendant fails to appear in person, either at the time set for the trial or at any time during the course of the trial and if the defendant's counsel is authorized to act on the defendant's behalf, the court shall proceed with the trial unless good cause for continuance exists.

     (2)  If the defendant's counsel is not authorized to act on the defendant's behalf as provided in subsection (1) or if the defendant is not represented by counsel, the court, in its discretion, may do one or more of the following:

     (a)  order a continuance;

     (b)  order bail forfeited;

     (c)  issue an arrest warrant; or

     (d)  proceed with the trial after finding that the defendant had knowledge of the trial date and is voluntarily absent.

     (3)  After the trial of a felony offense has commenced in the defendant's presence, the absence of the defendant during the trial may not prevent the trial from continuing up to and including the return of a verdict if the defendant:

     (a)  has been removed from the courtroom for disruptive behavior after receiving a warning that removal will result if the defendant persists in conduct that is so disruptive that the trial cannot be carried on with the defendant in the courtroom; or

     (b)  is voluntarily absent and the offense is not one that is punishable by death life imprisonment without possibility of release.

     (4)  Nothing in this section limits the right of the court to order the defendant to be personally present at the trial for purposes of identification unless defense counsel stipulates to the issue of identity."

 

     Section 21.  Section 46-18-102, MCA, is amended to read:

     "46-18-102.  Rendering judgment and pronouncing sentence -- use of two-way electronic audio-video communication. (1) The judgment must be rendered in open court. For purposes of this section, a judgment rendered through the use of two-way electronic audio-video communication, allowing all of the participants to be heard in the courtroom by all present and allowing the party speaking to be seen, is considered to be a judgment rendered in open court. Audio-video communication may be used if neither party objects and the court agrees to its use and has informed the defendant that the defendant has the right to object to its use. The audio-video communication must operate as provided in 46-12-201.

     (2)  If the verdict or finding is not guilty, judgment must be rendered immediately and the defendant must be discharged from custody or from the obligation of a bail bond.

     (3)  (a) Except as provided in 46-18-301, if If the verdict or finding is guilty, sentence must be pronounced and judgment rendered within a reasonable time.

     (b)  When the sentence is pronounced, the judge shall clearly state for the record the reasons for imposing the sentence."

 

     Section 22.  Section 46-18-115, MCA, is amended to read:

     "46-18-115.  Sentencing hearing -- use of two-way electronic audio-video communication. Before imposing sentence or making any other disposition upon acceptance of a plea or upon a verdict or finding of guilty, the court shall conduct a sentencing hearing, without unreasonable delay, as follows:

     (1)  The court shall afford the parties an opportunity to be heard on any matter relevant to the disposition, including the imposition of a sentence enhancement penalty and the applicability of mandatory minimum sentences, persistent felony offender status, or an exception to these matters.

     (2)  If there is a possibility of imposing the death penalty, the court shall hold a hearing as provided by 46-18-301.

     (3)(2)  Except as provided in 46-11-701 and 46-16-120 through 46-16-123, the court shall address the defendant personally to ascertain whether the defendant wishes to make a statement and to present any information in mitigation of punishment or reason why the defendant should not be sentenced. If the defendant wishes to make a statement, the court shall afford the defendant a reasonable opportunity to do so. For purposes of this section, the requirement that the court address the defendant personally may be satisfied by the use of two-way electronic audio-video communication. Audio-video communication may be used if neither party objects and the court agrees to its use and has informed the defendant that the defendant has the right to object to its use. The audio-video communication must operate as provided in 46-12-201.

     (4)(3)  (a) The court shall permit the victim to present a statement concerning the effects of the crime on the victim, the circumstances surrounding the crime, the manner in which the crime was perpetrated, and the victim's opinion regarding appropriate sentence. At the victim's option, the victim may present the statement in writing before the sentencing hearing or orally under oath at the sentencing hearing, or both.

     (b)  The court shall give copies of any written statements of the victim to the prosecutor and the defendant prior to imposing sentence.

     (c)  The court shall consider the victim's statement along with other factors. However, if the victim's statement includes new material facts upon which the court intends to rely, the court shall allow the defendant adequate opportunity to respond and may continue the sentencing hearing if necessary.

     (5)(4)  The court shall impose sentence or make any other disposition authorized by law.

     (6)(5)  In felony cases, the court shall specifically state all reasons for the sentence, including restrictions, conditions, or enhancements imposed, in open court on the record and in the written judgment."

 

     Section 23.  Section 46-18-219, MCA, is amended to read:

     "46-18-219.  Life sentence without possibility of release. (1) (a) Except as provided in subsection (3), if an offender convicted of one of the following offenses was previously convicted of one of the following offenses or of an offense under the laws of another state or of the United States that, if committed in this state, would be one of the following offenses, the offender must be sentenced to life in prison, unless the death penalty is applicable and imposed:

     (i)  45-5-102, deliberate homicide;

     (ii) 45-5-303, aggravated kidnapping;

     (iii) 45-5-503, sexual intercourse without consent;

     (iv) 45-5-625, sexual abuse of children; or

     (v)  45-5-627, except subsection (1)(b), ritual abuse of a minor.

     (b)  Except as provided in subsection (3), if an offender convicted of one of the following offenses was previously convicted of two of the following offenses, two of any combination of the offenses listed in subsection (1)(a) or the following offenses, or two of any offenses under the laws of another state or of the United States that, if committed in this state, would be one of the offenses listed in subsection (1)(a) or this subsection, the offender must be sentenced to life in prison, unless the death penalty is applicable and imposed:

     (i)  45-5-103, mitigated deliberate homicide;

     (ii) 45-5-202, aggravated assault;

     (iii) 45-5-302, kidnapping;

     (iv) 45-5-401, robbery; or

     (v)  45-5-603, aggravated promotion of prostitution.

     (2)  Except as provided in 46-23-210 and subsection (3) of this section, an offender sentenced under subsection (1) of this section or sentenced to life imprisonment without possibility of release under 45-5-102, 45-5-303, or 46-18-220:

     (a)  shall serve the entire sentence;

     (b)  shall serve the sentence in prison;

     (c)  may not for any reason, except a medical reason, be transferred for any length of time to another type of institution, facility, or program;

     (d)  may not be paroled; and

     (e)  may not be given time off for good behavior or otherwise be given an early release for any reason.

     (3)  If the offender was previously sentenced for either of two or three offenses listed in subsection (1), pursuant to any of the exceptions listed in 46-18-222, then the provisions of subsections (1) and (2) of this section do not apply to the offender's present sentence.

     (4)  The imposition or execution of the sentences prescribed by this section may not be deferred or suspended. In the event of a conflict between this section and any provision of 46-18-201 or 46-18-205, this section prevails.

     (5)  (a) For purposes of this section, "prison" means a secure detention facility in which inmates are locked up 24 hours a day and that is operated by this state, another state, the federal government, or a private contractor.

     (b)  Prison does not include a work release center, prerelease center, boot camp, or any other type of facility that does not provide secure detention."

 

     Section 24.  Section 46-18-220, MCA, is amended to read:

     "46-18-220.  Sentences for certain offenses committed in official detention -- death penalty. An offender convicted of having committed attempted deliberate homicide, aggravated assault, or aggravated kidnapping while in official detention, as defined in 45-2-101, shall, if the provisions of 46-1-401 have been complied with, be sentenced to death or life imprisonment as provided in 46-18-301 through 46-18-310 or to life imprisonment without possibility of release as provided in 46-18-219(2)."

 

     Section 25.  Section 46-19-101, MCA, is amended to read:

     "46-19-101.  Commitment of defendant. Upon oral pronouncement of a sentence imposing punishment of imprisonment, commitment to the department of corrections, or placement in a prerelease center, community corrections facility, or other place of confinement, or death, the court shall commit the defendant to the custody of the sheriff, who shall deliver the defendant to the place of confinement, or commitment, or execution and give that place an order, which must be signed by the sentencing judge on the date of oral pronouncement of sentence, stating that the defendant is sentenced to that place for imprisonment, commitment, or placement, or execution, as the case may be. The order is authority for that place to hold the defendant pending receipt by that place of a copy of the written judgment."

 

     Section 26.  Section 46-20-204, MCA, is amended to read:

     "46-20-204.  Stay of execution and relief Relief pending appeal. (1) If an appeal is taken, a sentence of death shall be stayed by order of the trial court until final order by the supreme court.

     (2)  If an appeal is taken and the defendant is admitted to bail, a sentence of imprisonment shall must be stayed by the trial court.

     (3)(2)  If an appeal is taken, a sentence to pay a fine or a fine and costs shall must be stayed by the trial court or by the reviewing court.

     (4)(3)  If an appeal is taken and the accused defendant was admitted to on probation, he shall the defendant shall remain on probation or post bail."

 

     Section 27.  Section 46-21-201, MCA, is amended to read:

     "46-21-201.  Proceedings on petition. (1) (a) Unless the petition and the files and records of the case conclusively show that the petitioner is not entitled to relief, the court shall cause notice of the petition to be served upon the county attorney in the county in which the conviction took place and upon the attorney general and order them to file a responsive pleading to the petition. Following its review of the responsive pleading, the court may dismiss the petition as a matter of law for failure to state a claim for relief or it may proceed to determine the issue.

     (b)  If the death sentence has been imposed, upon receipt of the response or responses to the petition, the court shall promptly hold a conference to determine a schedule for the expeditious resolution of the proceeding. The court shall issue a decision within 90 days after the hearing on the petition or, if there is no hearing, within 90 days after the filing of briefs as allowed by rule or by court order. If the decision is not issued during that period, a party may petition the supreme court for a writ of mandate or other appropriate writ or relief to compel the issuance of a decision.

     (c)(b)  To the extent that they are applicable and are not inconsistent with this chapter, the rules of procedure governing civil proceedings apply to the proceeding.

     (2)  If the death sentence has not been imposed and a hearing is required or if the interests of justice require, the court shall order the office of state public defender, provided for in 47-1-201, to assign counsel for a petitioner who qualifies for the assignment of counsel under Title 46, chapter 8, part 1, and the Montana Public Defender Act, Title 47, chapter 1.

     (3)  (a) Within 30 days after a conviction for which a death sentence was imposed becomes final, the sentencing court shall notify the sentenced person that if the person is indigent, as defined in 47-1-103, and wishes to file a petition under this chapter, the court will order the office of state public defender, provided for in 47-1-201, to assign counsel who meets the Montana supreme court's standards and the office of state public defender's standards for competency of assigned counsel in proceedings under this chapter for an indigent person sentenced to death.

     (b)  Within 75 days after a conviction for which a death sentence was imposed upon a person who wishes to file a petition under this chapter becomes final, the sentencing court shall:

     (i)  order the office of state public defender to assign counsel to represent the person pending a determination by the office of state public defender that the person is indigent, as defined in 47-1-103, and that the person either has accepted the offer of assigned counsel or is unable to competently decide whether to accept the offer of assigned counsel;

     (ii) if the offer of assigned counsel is rejected by a person who understands the legal consequences of the rejection, enter findings of fact after a hearing, if the court determines that a hearing is necessary, stating that the person rejected the offer with an understanding of the legal consequences of the rejection; or

     (iii) if the petitioner is determined not to be indigent, deny or rescind any order requiring the assignment of counsel.

     (c)  The office of state public defender may not assign counsel who has previously represented the person at any stage in the case unless the person and the counsel expressly agree to the assignment.

     (d)  If a petitioner entitled to counsel under this subsection (3) is determined not to be indigent but becomes indigent at any subsequent stage of the proceedings, the court shall order the assignment of counsel as provided in subsection (3)(b)(i).

     (e)  The expenses of counsel assigned pursuant to this subsection (3) must be paid by the office of state public defender.

     (f)  Violation of this subsection (3) is not a basis for a claim or relief under this chapter.

     (4)(3)  The court, for good cause, may grant leave to either party to use the discovery procedures available in criminal or civil proceedings. Discovery procedures may be used only to the extent and in the manner that the court has ordered or to which the parties have agreed.

     (5)(4)  The court may receive proof of affidavits, depositions, oral testimony, or other evidence. In its discretion, the court may order the petitioner brought before the court for the hearing.

     (6)(5)  If the court finds in favor of the petitioner, it shall enter an appropriate order with respect to the judgment or sentence in the former proceedings and any supplementary orders as to reassignment, retrial, custody, bail, or discharge that may be necessary and proper. If the court finds for the prosecution, the petition must be dismissed."

 

     Section 28.  Section 46-23-201, MCA, is amended to read:

     "46-23-201.  Prisoners eligible for nonmedical parole. (1) Subject to the restrictions contained in subsections (2) through (5), the board may release on nonmedical parole by appropriate order any person who is confined in a state prison or the state hospital or any person who is sentenced to the state prison and confined in a prerelease center when in its opinion there is reasonable probability that the prisoner can be released without detriment to the prisoner or to the community.

     (2)  Persons under sentence of death, persons sentenced to the department who have been placed by the department in a state prison temporarily for assessment or sanctioning, and persons serving sentences imposed under 46-18-202(2) or 46-18-219 may not be paroled.

     (3)  A prisoner serving a time sentence may not be paroled under this section until the prisoner has served at least one-fourth of the prisoner's full term.

     (4)  A prisoner serving a life sentence may not be paroled under this section until the prisoner has served 30 years.

     (5)  A parole may be ordered under this section only for the best interests of society and not as an award of clemency or a reduction of sentence or pardon. A prisoner may be placed on parole only when the board believes that the prisoner is able and willing to fulfill the obligations of a law-abiding citizen."

 

     Section 29.  Section 46-23-210, MCA, is amended to read:

     "46-23-210.  Medical parole. (1) The board may release on medical parole by appropriate order a person placed in a correctional institution or program, except a person under sentence of death life imprisonment without possibility of release. To be eligible for a medical parole, a person must have an examination and written diagnosis by a physician licensed under Title 37 to practice medicine. The diagnosis must include:

     (a)  a determination that the person suffers from an incapacitating physical condition, disease, or syndrome;

     (b)  a description of the physical condition, disease, or syndrome and a detailed description of the person's physical incapacity; and

     (c)  a prognosis addressing the likelihood of the person's recovery from the physical condition, disease, or syndrome and the extent of any potential recovery.

     (2)  The diagnosis must be reviewed and accepted by the department before the board may consider granting a medical parole. The board may not grant a medical parole unless the incapacitating physical condition, disease, or syndrome renders the person highly unlikely to present a clear and present danger to public safety.

     (3)  The board shall require as a condition of medical parole that the person agree to placement in an environment chosen by the department during the parole period, including but not limited to a hospital, nursing home, or family home. The board may require as a condition of parole that the person agree to periodic examinations and diagnoses at the person's expense. Reports of each examination and diagnosis must be submitted to the board and department by the examining physician. If either the board or department determines that the person's physical capacity has improved to the extent that the person is likely to pose a possible detriment to society, the board may revoke the parole and return the person to the custody of the department.

     (4)  Medical parole may be requested by the board, the department, an incarcerated person, or an incarcerated person's parent, grandparent, child, or sibling by submitting the request in writing to the administrator of the correctional institution in which the person is incarcerated.

     (5)  A grant or denial of medical parole does not affect the person's eligibility for nonmedical parole.

     (6)  Sections 46-23-203, 46-23-205 through 46-23-207, and 46-23-215 through 46-23-218 apply to nonmedical parole."

 

     Section 30.  Section 46-23-301, MCA, is amended to read:

     "46-23-301.  Cases of executive clemency -- application for clemency -- definitions. (1) (a) "Clemency" means kindness, mercy, or leniency that may be exercised by the governor toward a convicted person. The governor may grant clemency in the form of:

     (i)  the remission of fines or forfeitures;

     (ii) the commutation of a sentence to one that is less severe;

     (iii) respite; or

     (iv) pardon.

     (b)  "Pardon" means a declaration of record that an individual is to be relieved of all legal consequences of a prior conviction.

     (2)  A person convicted of a crime need not exhaust judicial or administrative remedies before filing an application for clemency, except that an application may not be filed with respect to a sentence of death while an automatic review proceeding is pending before the Montana supreme court under 46-18-307 through 46-18-310. The board shall consider cases of executive clemency only upon application. All applications for executive clemency must be made to the board. An application for executive clemency in capital cases may be filed with the board no later than 10 days after the district court sets a date of execution. Applications may be filed only by the person convicted of the crime, by the person's attorney acting on the person's behalf and with the person's consent, or by a court-appointed next friend, guardian, or conservator acting on the person's behalf. The board shall cause an investigation to be made of and base any recommendation it makes on:

     (a)  all the circumstances surrounding the crime for which the applicant was convicted; and

     (b)  the individual circumstances relating to social conditions of the applicant prior to commission of the crime, at the time the offense was committed, and at the time of the application for clemency.

     (3)  The board shall advise the governor and recommend action to be taken. The board may recommend that clemency be granted or denied. In noncapital cases, if If the board recommends that clemency be denied, the application may not be forwarded to the governor and the governor may not take action on the case. In capital cases, the board shall transmit the application and either a recommendation that clemency be granted or a recommendation that clemency be denied to the governor. The governor is not bound by any recommendation of the board a recommendation that clemency be granted, but the governor shall review the record of the hearing and the board's recommendation before granting or denying clemency. The governor has the final authority to grant or deny clemency in those cases forwarded to the governor. An appeal may not be taken from the governor's decision to grant or deny clemency."

 

     Section 31.  Section 46-23-307, MCA, is amended to read:

     "46-23-307.  Decision of board. Within 30 days after the hearing of any capital case or in noncapital cases where a case in which the decision is made to recommend that clemency be granted, the board must shall make a decision in writing, and if such a decision be is made to recommend executive clemency, the copy of the decision together with all papers used in each case shall must be immediately transmitted to the governor."

 

     Section 32.  Section 46-23-315, MCA, is amended to read:

     "46-23-315.  Authority of governor to grant respite -- application. The governor has the power to grant respites after conviction and judgment for any offenses committed against the criminal laws of the state for the time that the governor thinks proper. The governor may grant a respite upon application of a person authorized to apply for executive clemency and prior to any review or recommendation by the board of pardons and parole. A respite must be of temporary duration for a definite period of time. Any respite that is granted that stays the execution of a death warrant has the effect of postponing the execution of the warrant. In that case, if clemency is not granted, the death warrant is again in effect at the expiration of the period of respite and the execution must take place on the date of expiration of the respite."

 

     Section 33.  Section 47-1-105, MCA, is amended to read:

     "47-1-105.  Commission -- duties -- report -- rules. The commission shall supervise and direct the system. In addition to other duties assigned pursuant to this chapter, the commission shall:

     (1)  establish the qualifications, duties, and compensation of the chief public defender, as provided in 47-1-201, appoint a chief public defender after considering qualified applicants, and regularly evaluate the performance of the chief public defender;

     (2)  establish statewide standards for the qualification and training of attorneys providing public defender services to ensure that services are provided by competent counsel and in a manner that is fair and consistent throughout the state. The standards must take into consideration:

     (a)  the level of education and experience that is necessary to competently handle certain cases and case types, such as criminal, juvenile, abuse and neglect, civil commitment, capital, and other case types in order to provide effective assistance of counsel;

     (b)  acceptable caseloads and workload monitoring protocols to ensure that public defender workloads are manageable;

     (c)  access to and use of necessary professional services, such as paralegal, investigator, and other services that may be required to support a public defender in a case;

     (d)  continuing education requirements for public defenders and support staff;

     (e)  practice standards;

     (f)  performance criteria; and

     (g)  performance evaluation protocols.

     (3)  review and approve the strategic plan and budget proposals submitted by the chief public defender and the administrative director;

     (4)  review and approve any proposal to create permanent staff positions;

     (5)  establish policies and procedures for identifying cases in which public defenders may have a conflict of interest and for ensuring that cases involving a conflict of interest are handled according to professional ethical standards;

     (6)  establish policies and procedures for handling excess caseloads;

     (7)  establish policies and procedures to ensure that detailed expenditure and caseload data is collected, recorded, and reported to support strategic planning efforts for the system;

     (8)  adopt administrative rules pursuant to the Montana Administrative Procedure Act to implement the provisions of this chapter; and

     (9)  submit a biennial report to the governor, the supreme court, and the legislature, as provided in 5-11-210. Each interim, the commission shall also specifically report to the law and justice interim committee established pursuant to 5-5-202 and 5-5-226. The report must cover the preceding biennium and include:

     (a)  all policies or procedures in effect for the operation and administration of the statewide public defender system;

     (b)  all standards established or being considered by the commission or the chief public defender;

     (c)  the number of deputy public defenders and the region supervised by each;

     (d)  the number of public defenders employed or contracted with in the system, identified by region;

     (e)  the number of attorney and nonattorney staff supervised by each deputy public defender;

     (f)  the number of new cases in which counsel was assigned to represent a party, identified by region, court, and case type;

     (g)  the total number of persons represented by the office, identified by region, court, and case type;

     (h)  the annual caseload and workload of each public defender, identified by region, court, and case type;

     (i)  the training programs conducted by the office and the number of attorney and nonattorney staff who attended each program;

     (j)  the continuing education courses on criminal defense or criminal procedure attended by each public defender employed or contracted with in the system; and

     (k)  detailed expenditure data by court and case type."

 

     Section 34.  Section 47-1-202, MCA, is amended to read:

     "47-1-202.  Chief public defender -- duties. In addition to the duties provided in 47-1-201, the chief public defender shall:

     (1)  act as secretary to the commission and provide administrative staff support to the commission;

     (2)  assist the commission in establishing the state system and establishing the standards, policies, and procedures required pursuant to this chapter;

     (3)  develop and present for the commission's approval a regional strategic plan for the delivery of public defender services;

     (4)  establish processes and procedures to ensure that when a case that is assigned to the office presents a conflict of interest for a public defender, the conflict is identified and handled appropriately and ethically;

     (5)  establish processes and procedures to ensure that office and contract personnel use information technology and caseload management systems so that detailed expenditure and caseload data is accurately collected, recorded, and reported;

     (6)  establish administrative management procedures for regional offices;

     (7)  establish procedures for managing caseloads and assigning cases in a manner that ensures that public defenders are assigned cases according to experience, training, and manageable caseloads and taking into account case complexity, the severity of charges and potential punishments, and the legal skills required to provide effective assistance of counsel;

     (8)  establish policies and procedures for assigning counsel in capital cases that are consistent with standards issued by the Montana supreme court for counsel for indigent persons in capital cases;

     (9)(8)  establish and supervise a training and performance evaluation program for attorneys and nonattorney staff members and contractors;

     (10)(9) establish procedures to handle complaints about public defender performance and to ensure that public defenders, office personnel, and clients are aware of avenues available for bringing a complaint and that office procedures do not conflict with the disciplinary jurisdiction of the supreme court and the rules promulgated pursuant to Article VII, section 2, of the Montana constitution and the applicable provisions of Title 37, chapter 61;

     (11)(10) maintain a minimum client caseload, as determined by the commission;

     (12)(11) actively seek gifts, grants, and donations that may be available through the federal government or other sources to help fund the system; and

     (13)(12) perform all other duties assigned by the commission pursuant to this chapter."

 

     Section 35.  Section 47-1-205, MCA, is amended to read:

     "47-1-205.  Office of appellate defender -- chief appellate defender. (1) There is within the office an office of appellate defender. The office of appellate defender must be located in Helena, Montana.

     (2)  Beginning July 1, 2006, the chief public defender shall hire and supervise a chief appellate defender to manage and supervise the office of appellate defender.

     (3)  The chief appellate defender shall:

     (a)  manage and supervise all public defender services provided by the office of appellate defender;

     (b)  ensure that when a court orders the office to assign an appellate lawyer or when a defendant or petitioner is otherwise entitled to an appellate public defender, the assignment is made promptly to a qualified and appropriate appellate defender who is immediately available to the defendant or petitioner when necessary;

     (c)  ensure that appellate defender assignments comply with the provisions of 47-1-202(7) and standards for counsel for indigent persons in capital cases issued by the Montana supreme court;

     (d)  hire and supervise the work of office of appellate defender personnel as authorized by the appellate defender;

     (e)  contract for services as provided in 47-1-216 and as authorized by the chief public defender according to the strategic plan for the delivery of public defender services;

     (f)  keep a record of appellate defender services and expenses of the appellate defender office and submit records and reports to the chief public defender as requested;

     (g)  implement standards and procedures established by the commission and the chief public defender for the office of appellate defender;

     (h)  maintain a minimum client caseload as determined by the chief public defender; and

     (i)  perform all other duties assigned to the chief appellate defender by the chief public defender."

 

     Section 36.  Section 47-1-216, MCA, is amended to read:

     "47-1-216.  Contracted services -- rules. (1) The commission shall establish standards for a statewide contracted services program that ensures that contracting for public defender services is done fairly and consistently statewide and within each public defender region.

     (2)  Beginning July 1, 2006, the state office and each regional office, in a manner consistent with statewide standards adopted by the commission pursuant to this section, may contract to provide public defender, professional nonattorney, and other personal services necessary to deliver public defender services within each public defender region. All contracting pursuant to this section is exempt from the Montana Procurement Act, as provided in 18-4-132.

     (3)  Contracts may not be awarded based solely on the lowest bid or provide compensation to contractors based solely on a fixed fee paid irrespective of the number of cases assigned.

     (4)  Contracting for public defender services must be done through a competitive process that must, at a minimum, involve the following considerations:

     (a)  attorney qualifications necessary to provide effective assistance of counsel that meets the standards established by the commission;

     (b)  attorney qualifications necessary to provide effective assistance of counsel that meet the standards issued by the Montana supreme court for counsel for indigent persons in capital cases;

     (c)(b)  attorney access to support services, such as paralegal and investigator services;

     (d)(c)  attorney caseload, including the amount of private practice engaged in outside the contract;

     (e)(d)  reporting protocols and caseload monitoring processes;

     (f)(e)  a process for the supervision and evaluation of performance;

     (g)(f)  a process for conflict resolution; and

     (h)(g)  continuing education requirements in accordance with standards set by the commission.

     (5)  The chief public defender and deputy public defenders shall provide for contract oversight and enforcement to ensure compliance with established standards.

     (6)  The commission shall adopt rules to establish reasonable compensation for attorneys contracted to provide public defender services and for others contracted to provide nonattorney services."

 

     Section 37.  Section 53-9-103, MCA, is amended to read:

     "53-9-103.  Definitions. As used in this part, the following definitions apply:

     (1)  "Claimant" means any of the following claiming compensation under this part:

     (a)  a victim;

     (b)  a dependent of a deceased victim; or

     (c)  an authorized person acting on behalf of any of them.

     (2)  "Collateral source" means a source of benefits, other than welfare benefits, or advantages for economic loss otherwise compensable under this part that the claimant has received or that is readily available to the claimant from:

     (a)  the offender;

     (b)  the government of the United States or any agency thereof, a state or any of its political subdivisions, or an instrumentality of two or more states, unless the law providing for the benefits or advantages makes them excess or secondary to benefits under this part;

     (c)  social security, medicare, and medicaid;

     (d)  workers' compensation;

     (e)  wage continuation programs of any employer;

     (f)  proceeds of a contract of insurance payable to the claimant for loss that was sustained because of the criminally injurious conduct;

     (g)  a contract, including an insurance contract, providing hospital and other health care services or benefits for disability. A contract in this state may not provide that benefits under this part are a substitute for benefits under the contract or that the contract is a secondary source of benefits and benefits under this part are a primary source.

     (h)  a crime victims compensation program operated by the state in which the victim was injured or killed that compensates residents of this state injured or killed in that state; or

     (i)  any other third party.

     (3)  "Criminally injurious conduct" means conduct that:

     (a)  occurs or is attempted in this state or an act of international terrorism, as defined in 18 U.S.C. 2331, committed outside of the United States against a resident of this state;

     (b)  results in bodily injury or death; and

     (c)  is punishable by a fine, or imprisonment, or death or would be so punishable except that the person engaging in the conduct lacked capacity to commit the crime under the laws of this state; however, criminally injurious conduct does not include conduct arising out of the ownership, maintenance, or use of a motor vehicle unless the bodily injury or death occurred during the commission of an offense defined in Title 45 that requires the mental state of purposely as an element of the offense or the injury or death was inflicted by the driver of a motor vehicle who is found by the office, by a preponderance of the evidence, to have been operating the motor vehicle while under the influence, as that term is defined in 61-8-401; or

     (d)  is committed in a state without a crime victims compensation program that covers a resident of this state if the conduct meets the requirements in subsections (3)(b) and (3)(c).

     (4)  "Dependent" means a natural person who is recognized under the law of this state to be wholly or partially dependent upon the victim for care or support and includes a child of the victim conceived before the victim's death but born after the victim's death, including a child that is conceived as a result of the criminally injurious conduct.

     (5)  "Office" means the office of victims services established in 2-15-2016.

     (6)  "Victim" means a person who suffers bodily injury or death as a result of:

     (a)  criminally injurious conduct;

     (b)  the person's good faith effort to prevent criminally injurious conduct; or

     (c)  the person's good faith effort to apprehend a person reasonably suspected of engaging in criminally injurious conduct."

 

     Section 38.  Section 53-30-403, MCA, is amended to read:

     "53-30-403.  Boot camp incarceration program -- eligibility -- rulemaking. (1) The department shall establish a boot camp incarceration program for offenders incarcerated in a correctional institution.

     (2)  In order to be eligible for participation in the boot camp incarceration program, an inmate:

     (a)  must be serving a sentence of at least 1 year in a Montana correctional institution for a felony offense other than a felony punishable by death life imprisonment without possibility of release, except as provided in 46-18-201(4)(m);

     (b)  shall obtain the concurrence of the sentencing court; and

     (c)  shall pass a physical examination to ensure sufficient health for participation.

     (3)  The boot camp incarceration program must include:

     (a)  as a major component, a strong emphasis on work, physical activity, physical conditioning, and good health practices;

     (b)  a strong emphasis on intensive counseling and treatment programming designed to correct criminal and other maladaptive thought processes and behavior patterns and to instill self-discipline and self-motivation;

     (c)  a detailed, clearly written explanation of program goals, objectives, rules, and criteria that must be provided to, read by, and signed by all prospective enrollees; and

     (d)  a maximum enrollment period of 120 days.

     (4)  (a) Inmate participation in the boot camp incarceration program must be voluntary. The admission of an inmate to the program is discretionary with the department, which shall request and consider the written recommendation of the prosecuting attorney's office. Enrollment may be revoked only:

     (i)  at the participant's request; or

     (ii) upon written departmental documentation of a participant's failure or refusal to comply with program requirements.

     (b)  A revocation of program enrollment is not subject to appeal. An inmate may not be admitted to the boot camp incarceration program more than twice.

     (5)  The department may adopt rules for the establishment and administration of the boot camp incarceration program."

 

     NEW SECTION.  Section 39.  Repealer. Sections 45-3-109, 46-18-301, 46-18-302, 46-18-303, 46-18-304, 46-18-305, 46-18-306, 46-18-307, 46-18-308, 46-18-309, 46-18-310, 46-19-103, 46-19-201, 46-19-202, 46-19-203, and 46-19-204, MCA, are repealed.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Section 40.  Effective date. [This act] is effective on passage and approval.

 

     NEW SECTION.  Section 41.  Retroactive applicability -- resentencing. (1) [This act] applies retroactively, within the meaning of 1-2-109, to offenses that occurred prior to [the effective date of this act].

     (2) A person who is under a sentence of death must be resentenced by the court in which the person was convicted to life imprisonment without possibility of release.

- END -

 


Latest Version of SB 306 (SB0306.01)
Processed for the Web on January 18, 2007 (5:12pm)

New language in a bill appears underlined, deleted material appears stricken.

Sponsor names are handwritten on introduced bills, hence do not appear on the bill until it is reprinted.

See the status of this bill for the bill's primary sponsor.

 Status of this Bill | 2007 Legislature | Leg. Branch Home
All versions of this bill (PDF format)
Authorized print version w/line numbers (PDF format)
[
NEW SEARCH ]

Prepared by Montana Legislative Services
(406) 444-3064