_____________ bill NO. _____________

INTRODUCED BY _________________________________________________

By Request of the Board of Livestock

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: “AN ACT ESTABLISHING CERTAIN REGULATORY OVERSIGHT OF PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE CUSTOM SLAUGHTERING OF LIVESTOCK OR POULTRY TO ENSURE STATE COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL MEAT INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS; AMENDING SECTION 81-9-218, MCA; and PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE.”

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

Section 1. Section 81-9-218, MCA, is amended to read:

"81-9-218. Exemptions. (1) The following persons are exempt from 81-9-201, 81-9-216 through 81-9-220, and 81-9-226 through 81-9-236:

(a) a person who slaughters livestock or poultry or prepares or processes livestock or poultry products for the person's own personal or household use; and

(b) a person who transports dead, dying, or diseased animals or poultry for the purpose of treatment, burial, or disposal in a manner that would prevent the carcasses from being used as human food.

(2) A person engaged in the custom slaughtering of livestock or poultry delivered by the owner for custom slaughter or a person engaged in the preparation of the carcasses and parts and meat food products of the livestock or poultry when slaughtered or prepared for exclusive use in the owner's household by the owner or members of the owner's household or the owner's nonpaying guests or employees is exempt from 81-9-216through 81-9-220and 81-9-226 through 81-9-236 if the carcasses, parts, or meat food products or containers of the articles are:

(a) kept separate from carcasses, parts, or meat food products prepared for sale;

(b) plainly marked "Not for Sale" immediately after being slaughtered or prepared and remain plainly marked until delivered to the owner; and

(c) prepared and packaged in a sanitary manner and in a sanitary facility."

NEW SECTION. Section 2. Effective date. [This act] is effective on passage and approval.