INTRODUCED
BY T. Manzella, M. Binkley, N. Duram, F. Garner, B. Usher
By Request of the ****
A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT REVISING LAWS REGARDING PENALTIES FOR FALSELY REPORTING CRIMES; PROVIDING PENALTIES FOR WHEN THE CRIME THAT IS FALSELY REPORTED IS A MISDEMEANOR AND MORE SERIOUS PENALTIES FOR FALSELY REPORTING FELONIES; AND AMENDING SECTION 45-7-205, MCA."
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
Section 1. Section 45-7-205, MCA, is amended to read:
"45-7-205. False reports to law enforcement authorities peace officers. (1) A person commits an offense under this section if the person knowingly:
(a) gives false information to any law enforcement peace officer with the purpose to implicate another;
(b) reports to law enforcement authorities a peace officer an offense or other incident within their the officer's concern knowing that it did not occur; or
(c) pretends to furnish law enforcement authorities a peace officer with information relating to an offense or incident when the person knows that the person has no information relating to the offense or incident.
(2) A person convicted under this section shall be fined not to exceed $500 or be imprisoned in the county jail for any term not to exceed 6 months, or both.:
(a) if the crime falsely reported was a misdemeanor, be sentenced to not more than 6 months in the county jail or fined not more than $500, or both; or
(b) if the crime falsely reported was a felony, be sentenced to not more than 4 years in the state prison or fined not more than $10,000, or both."