HOUSE BILL NO. 255
INTRODUCED BY S. ANDERSON
AN ACT INCREASING TO $1,000 THE AMOUNT REQUIRED TO BE INVOLVED IN VARIOUS CRIMES BEFORE PENALTIES FOR THOSE CRIMES ARE ENHANCED; INCREASING TO $1,000 THE POSSIBLE FINE FOR THOSE CRIMES WHEN THE AMOUNT INVOLVED IN THOSE CRIMES IS LESS THAN $1,000; AND AMENDING SECTIONS 27-1-718, 45-2-101, 45-6-101, 45-6-103, 45-6-301, 45-6-309, 45-6-311, 45-6-312, 45-6-313, 45-6-316, 45-6-317, 45-6-325, AND 45-7-210, MCA.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
Section 1. Section 27-1-718, MCA, is amended to read:
"27-1-718. Civil penalty for shoplifting. (1) An adult or emancipated minor who takes possession of any goods,
wares, or merchandise displayed or offered for sale by any store or other mercantile establishment without the consent of
the owner or seller and with the intention of converting the goods to the taker's own use without having paid the purchase
price of the goods is liable to the owner or seller for a penalty, whether or not the goods have been returned undamaged, in
the amount of the greater of $100 or the retail value of the goods, not to exceed $500 $1,000. This amount is in addition to
actual damages.
(2) When an unemancipated minor takes possession of any goods, wares, or merchandise displayed or offered for sale
by any store or other mercantile establishment without the consent of the owner or seller and with the intention of
converting the goods to the minor's own use without having paid the purchase price of the goods, the minor's parent or legal
guardian having custody of the minor is liable to the owner or seller for a penalty, whether or not the goods have been
returned undamaged, equal to the greater of $100 or the retail value of the goods, not to exceed $500 $1,000. For the
purposes of this subsection (2), liability may not be imposed upon any governmental or private agency that has been
assigned responsibility for the minor child pursuant to court order or action of the department of corrections or the
department of public health and human services.
(3) Judgments and claims arising under this section may be assigned.
(4) A conviction for violation of 45-6-301 is not a condition precedent to maintenance of a civil action under this section.
(5) For purposes of this section, the term "emancipated minor" means a person under 18 years of age who is self-supporting from personal earnings or is married. A person who received more than 25% of the cost of support from any person other than an agency of the government may not be considered an emancipated minor."
Section 2. Section 45-2-101, MCA, is amended to read:
"45-2-101. General definitions. Unless otherwise specified in the statute, all words will 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 any 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, as defined in this code, other than the offender.
(4) "Benefit" means gain or advantage or anything regarded by the beneficiary as gain or advantage, including benefit to
any a other person or entity in whose welfare the beneficiary is interested. 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 any an impairment of physical condition and includes mental illness
or impairment.
(6) "Cohabit" means to live together under the representation of being married.
(7) "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.
(8) "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.
(9) "Computer network" means the interconnection of communication systems between computers or computers and remote terminals.
(10) "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.
(11) "Computer services" include but are not limited to computer time, data processing, and storage functions.
(12) "Computer software" means a set of computer programs, procedures, and associated documentation concerned with the operation of a computer system.
(13) "Computer system" means a set of related, connected, or unconnected devices, computer software, or other related computer equipment.
(14) "Conduct" means an act or series of acts and the accompanying mental state.
(15) "Conviction" means a judgment of conviction or sentence entered upon a plea of guilty 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.
(16) "Correctional institution" means the state prison, county or city jail, or other institution for the incarceration or custody of persons under sentence for offenses or awaiting trial or sentence for offenses.
(17) "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.
(18) "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.
(19) "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.
(20) "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.
(21) "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.
(22) "Felony" means an offense in which the sentence imposed upon conviction is death or imprisonment in the state
prison for any a term exceeding 1 year.
(23) "Forcible felony" means any a felony that involves the use or threat of physical force or violence against any
individual.
(24) A "frisk" is a search by an external patting of a person's clothing.
(25) "Government" includes any a branch, subdivision, or agency of the government of the state or any a locality within
it.
(26) "Harm" means loss, disadvantage, or injury or anything so regarded by the person affected, including loss,
disadvantage, or injury to any a person or entity in whose welfare the affected person is interested.
(27) A "house of prostitution" means any 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.
(28) "Human being" means a person who has been born and is alive.
(29) 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.
(30) "Inmate" means a person who engages in prostitution in or through the agency of a house of prostitution.
(31) "Intoxicating substance" means any a controlled substance, as defined in Title 50, chapter 32, and any an alcoholic
beverage, including but not limited to any a beverage containing 1/2 of 1% or more of alcohol by volume. Intoxicating
substance does not include dealcoholized wine or any 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.
(32) An "involuntary act" means any 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.
(33) "Juror" means any a person who is a member of any a jury, including a grand jury, impaneled by any a court in this
state in any an action or proceeding or by any an officer authorized by law to impanel a jury in any an action or proceeding.
The term "juror" also includes a person who has been drawn or summoned to attend as a prospective juror.
(34) "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.
(35) "Medicaid" means the Montana medical assistance program provided for in Title 53, chapter 6.
(36) "Medicaid agency" has the meaning in 53-6-155.
(37) "Medicaid benefit" means the provision of anything of pecuniary value to or on behalf of a recipient under the medicaid program.
(38) (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 any related documents submitted as a part of or in support of the claim.
(39) "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.
(40) "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.
(41) "Misdemeanor" means an offense for which the sentence imposed upon conviction is imprisonment in the county
jail for any a term or a fine, or both, or for which the sentence imposed is imprisonment in the state prison for any a term of
1 year or less.
(42) "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.
(43) "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.
(44) "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.
(45) "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.
(46) "Offender" means a person who has been or is liable to be arrested, charged, convicted, or punished for a public offense.
(47) "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.
(48) "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 any lawful detention for the purpose of the protection of the welfare of the person detained or for the
protection of society. 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.
(49) "Official proceeding" means a proceeding heard or that may be heard before any a legislative, a judicial, an
administrative, or other another governmental agency or official authorized to take evidence under oath, including any
referee, hearing examiner, commissioner, notary, or other person taking testimony or deposition in connection with the
proceeding.
(50) "Other state" means any a state or territory of the United States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth
of Puerto Rico.
(51) "Owner" means a person other than the offender who has possession of or any 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.
(52) "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.
(53) "Peace officer" means any 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.
(54) "Pecuniary benefit" is benefit in the form of money, property, commercial interests, or anything else the primary significance of which is economic gain.
(55) "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 any a government or subdivision of government.
(56) "Physically helpless" means that a person is unconscious or is otherwise physically unable to communicate unwillingness to act.
(57) "Possession" is the knowing control of anything for a sufficient time to be able to terminate control.
(58) "Premises" includes any type of structure or building and any real property.
(59) "Property" means any 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 any 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) any other articles, materials, devices, substances, and any 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 any copies thereof.
(60) "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.
(61) "Public place" means any a place to which the public or any a substantial group has access.
(62) "Public servant" means any an officer or employee of government, including but not limited to legislators, judges,
and firefighters, and any a person participating as a juror, advisor, consultant, administrator, executor, guardian, or
court-appointed fiduciary. The term does not include witnesses. The term "public servant" includes one who has been
elected or designated to become a public servant.
(63) "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.
(64) (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 any 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 any a bodily member or organ.
(b) The term includes serious mental illness or impairment.
(65) "Sexual contact" means any touching of the sexual or other intimate parts of the person of another for the purpose
of arousing or gratifying the sexual desire of either party.
(66) "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 any a body member of another person, or penetration of the vulva or anus
of one person by any a foreign instrument or object manipulated by another person for the purpose of arousing or gratifying
the sexual desire of either party. Any penetration, however slight, is sufficient.
(67) "Solicit" or "solicitation" means to command, authorize, urge, incite, request, or advise another to commit an offense.
(68) "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.
(69) "Statute" means any an act of the legislature of this state.
(70) "Stolen property" means property over which control has been obtained by theft.
(71) 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.
(72) "Tamper" means to interfere with something improperly, meddle with it, make unwarranted alterations in its existing condition, or deposit refuse upon it.
(73) "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 any a criminal offense;
(d) accuse any a person of a criminal offense;
(e) expose any a person to hatred, contempt, or ridicule;
(f) harm the credit or business repute of any a person;
(g) reveal any 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.
(74) (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 $500 $1,000 by the standards set forth
in subsection (74)(a), its value is considered to be an amount less than $500 $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.
(75) "Vehicle" means any a device for transportation by land, water, or air or by mobile equipment, with provision for
transport of an operator.
(76) "Weapon" means any an instrument, article, or substance that, regardless of its primary function, is readily capable
of being used to produce death or serious bodily injury.
(77) "Witness" means a person whose testimony is desired in any an official proceeding, in any investigation by a grand
jury, or in a criminal action, prosecution, or proceeding."
Section 3. Section 45-6-101, MCA, is amended to read:
"45-6-101. Criminal mischief. (1) A person commits the offense of criminal mischief if the person knowingly or purposely:
(a) injures, damages, or destroys any property of another or public property without consent;
(b) without consent tampers with property of another or public property so as to endanger or interfere with persons or property or its use;
(c) damages or destroys property with the purpose to defraud an insurer; or
(d) fails to close a gate previously unopened which that the person has opened, leading in or out of any enclosed
premises. This does not apply to gates located in cities or towns.
(2) A person convicted of criminal mischief must be ordered to make restitution in an amount and manner to be set by the court. The court shall determine the manner and amount of restitution after full consideration of the convicted person's ability to pay the restitution. Upon good cause shown by the convicted person, the court may modify any previous order specifying the amount and manner of restitution. Full payment of the amount of restitution ordered must be made prior to the release of state jurisdiction over the person convicted.
(3) A person convicted of the offense of criminal mischief shall be fined not to exceed $500 $1,000 or be imprisoned in
the county jail for any term not to exceed 6 months, or both. If the offender commits the offense of criminal mischief and
causes pecuniary loss in excess of $500 $1,000, injures or kills a commonly domesticated hoofed animal, or causes a
substantial interruption or impairment of public communication, transportation, supply of water, gas, or power, or other
public services, the offender shall be fined an amount not to exceed $50,000 or be imprisoned in the state prison for any a
term not to exceed 10 years, or both.
(4) Amounts involved in criminal mischiefs committed pursuant to a common scheme or the same transaction, whether against the public or the same person or several persons, may be aggregated in determining pecuniary loss."
Section 4. Section 45-6-103, MCA, is amended to read:
"45-6-103. Arson. (1) A person commits the offense of arson when, by means of fire or explosives, the person knowingly or purposely:
(a) damages or destroys a structure, vehicle, personal property (other than a vehicle) that exceeds $500 $1,000 in value,
crop, pasture, forest, or other real property that is property of another without consent;
(b) damages or destroys a structure, vehicle, crop, pasture, forest, or other property that the person owns or has a possessory interest in, with the purpose of obtaining a pecuniary or other gain through fraud or deception; or
(c) places another person in danger of death or bodily injury, including a firefighter responding to or at the scene of a fire or explosion.
(2) A person convicted of the offense of arson shall be imprisoned in the state prison for a term not to exceed 20 years or be fined an amount not to exceed $50,000, or both."
Section 5. Section 45-6-301, MCA, is amended to read:
"45-6-301. Theft. (1) A person commits the offense of theft when the person purposely or knowingly obtains or exerts unauthorized control over property of the owner and:
(a) has the purpose of depriving the owner of the property;
(b) purposely or knowingly uses, conceals, or abandons the property in a manner that deprives the owner of the property; or
(c) uses, conceals, or abandons the property knowing that the use, concealment, or abandonment probably will deprive the owner of the property.
(2) A person commits the offense of theft when the person purposely or knowingly obtains by threat or deception control over property of the owner and:
(a) has the purpose of depriving the owner of the property;
(b) purposely or knowingly uses, conceals, or abandons the property in a manner that deprives the owner of the property; or
(c) uses, conceals, or abandons the property knowing that the use, concealment, or abandonment probably will deprive the owner of the property.
(3) A person commits the offense of theft when the person purposely or knowingly obtains control over stolen property knowing the property to have been stolen by another and:
(a) has the purpose of depriving the owner of the property;
(b) purposely or knowingly uses, conceals, or abandons the property in a manner that deprives the owner of the property; or
(c) uses, conceals, or abandons the property knowing that the use, concealment, or abandonment probably will deprive the owner of the property.
(4) A person commits the offense of theft when the person purposely or knowingly obtains or exerts unauthorized control over any part of any public assistance provided under Title 52 or 53 by a state or county agency, regardless of the original source of assistance, by means of:
(a) a knowingly false statement, representation, or impersonation; or
(b) a fraudulent scheme or device.
(5) A person commits the offense of theft when the person purposely or knowingly obtains or exerts or helps another obtain or exert unauthorized control over any part of any benefits provided under Title 39, chapter 71 or 72, by means of:
(a) a knowingly false statement, representation, or impersonation; or
(b) deception or other fraudulent action.
(6) A person commits the offense of theft when the person purposely or knowingly commits insurance fraud as provided in 33-1-1202.
(7) (a) A person convicted of the offense of theft of property not exceeding $500 $1,000 in value shall be fined not to
exceed $500 $1,000 or be imprisoned in the county jail for any term not to exceed 6 months, or both. A person convicted of
a second offense shall be fined $500 $1,000 or be imprisoned in the county jail for a term not to exceed 6 months, or both.
A person convicted of a third or subsequent offense shall be fined $1,000 and be imprisoned in the county jail for a term of
not less than 30 days or more than 6 months.
(b) A person convicted of the offense of theft of property exceeding $500 $1,000 in value or theft of any commonly
domesticated hoofed animal shall be fined not to exceed $50,000 or be imprisoned in the state prison for any term not to
exceed 10 years, or both.
(8) 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."
Section 6. Section 45-6-309, MCA, is amended to read:
"45-6-309. Failure to return rented or leased personal property. (1) A person commits the offense of failure to return rented or leased personal property if, without notice to and permission of the lessor, the person purposely and knowingly fails to return the property within 48 hours after the time provided for return in the rental agreement, provided that clear written notice, in bold print, of the date and time when return of the property is required and of the penalty prescribed in this section is stated in the rental or lease agreement.
(2) Presentation to the lessor by the lessee of identification that is false for the purpose of obtaining a rental or lease agreement constitutes prima facie evidence of commission of the offense.
(3) After the rental or lease period specified in the rental or lease agreement has expired, failure to return rented or leased personal property within 72 hours of written demand by the lessor, sent by certified mail to the renter or lessee at the address given at the time of entering the rental or lease agreement, constitutes prima facie evidence of commission of the offense.
(4) (a) A person convicted of failure to return rented or leased personal property not exceeding $500 $1,000 in value
shall be fined not to exceed $500 $1,000 or be imprisoned in the county jail for a term not to exceed 6 months, or both.
(b) A person convicted of failure to return rented or leased personal property exceeding $500 $1,000 in value shall be
imprisoned in the state prison for a term not to exceed 10 years."
Section 7. Section 45-6-311, MCA, is amended to read:
"45-6-311. Unlawful use of a computer. (1) A person commits the offense of unlawful use of a computer if the person knowingly or purposely:
(a) obtains the use of any computer, computer system, or computer network without consent of the owner;
(b) alters or destroys or causes another to alter or destroy a computer program or computer software without consent of the owner; or
(c) obtains the use of or alters or destroys a computer, computer system, computer network, or any part thereof as part of a deception for the purpose of obtaining money, property, or computer services from the owner of the computer, computer system, computer network, or part thereof or from any other person.
(2) A person convicted of the offense of unlawful use of a computer involving property not exceeding $500 $1,000 in
value shall be fined not to exceed $500 $1,000 or be imprisoned in the county jail for a term not to exceed 6 months, or
both. A person convicted of the offense of unlawful use of a computer involving property exceeding $500 $1,000 in value
shall be fined not more than 2 1/2 times the value of the property used, altered, destroyed, or obtained or be imprisoned in
the state prison for a term not to exceed 10 years, or both."
Section 8. Section 45-6-312, MCA, is amended to read:
"45-6-312. Unauthorized acquisition or transfer of food stamps. (1) A person commits the offense of unauthorized acquisition or transfer of food stamps if the person knowingly:
(a) acquires, purchases, possesses, or uses any food stamp or coupon that the person is not entitled to; or
(b) transfers, sells, trades, gives, or otherwise disposes of any food stamp or coupon to another person not entitled to receive or use it.
(2) A person convicted of an offense under this section shall be fined not more than $500 $1,000 or be imprisoned in
the county jail for not more than 6 months, or both. A person convicted of an offense under this section, which offense is
part of a common scheme or in which the value of the food stamps exceeds $500 $1,000, shall be fined not more than
$50,000 or be imprisoned in the state prison for not more than 10 years, or both.
(3) As used in this section, "food stamp or coupon" means any stamp, coupon, or type of certification provided for the purchase of eligible food pursuant to the Food Stamp Act of 1977, 7 U.S.C. 2011 through 2029, or any similar public assistance program."
Section 9. Section 45-6-313, MCA, is amended to read:
"45-6-313. Medicaid fraud. (1) A person commits the offense of medicaid fraud when:
(a) the person obtains a medicaid payment or benefit for the person or another person by purposely or knowingly:
(i) making, submitting, or authorizing the making or submitting of a false or misleading medicaid claim, statement, representation, application, or document to a medicaid agency for a service or item when the person knows or has reason to know that the person is not entitled under applicable statutes, regulations, rules, or policies to medicaid payment or benefits for the service or item or for the amount of payment requested or claimed; or
(ii) making, submitting, or authorizing the making or submitting of a medicaid claim, statement, representation, application, or document under the medicaid program for a service or item when the person knows or has reason to know that the person is not entitled under applicable statutes, regulations, rules, or policies to medicaid payment or benefit for the service or item or for the amount of payment requested or claimed;
(b) the person purposely or knowingly:
(i) solicits, accepts, offers, or provides any remuneration, including but not limited to a kickback, bribe, or rebate, other than an amount legally payable under the medical assistance program, for furnishing services or items for which payment may be made under the medicaid program or in return for purchasing, leasing, ordering, arranging for, or recommending the purchasing, leasing, or ordering of any services or items from a provider for which payment may be made under the medicaid program; or
(ii) makes, offers, or accepts a remuneration, a rebate of a fee, or a charge for referring a recipient to another provider for the furnishing of services or items for which payment may be made under the medicaid program; or
(c) the person, with respect to a managed care contract, health maintenance organization contract, or similar contract or subcontract under the medicaid program, purposely or knowingly fails or refuses to provide covered medically necessary services to eligible recipients as required by the contract.
(2) Any conduct or activity that does not violate or that is protected under the provisions of, or federal regulations adopted under, 42 U.S.C. 1395nn or 42 U.S.C. 1320a-7b(b), as may be amended, is not considered an offense under subsection (1)(b), and the conduct or activity must be accorded the same protections allowed under federal laws and regulations.
(3) In a prosecution for a violation of this section, it is a defense if the person acted in reliance upon the written authorization or advice of the department.
(4) (a) A person convicted of the offense of medicaid fraud involving payments, benefits, or claims not exceeding $500
$1,000 in value shall be fined an amount not to exceed $500 $1,000 or be imprisoned in the county jail for a term not to
exceed 6 months, or both. A person convicted of a second offense shall be fined $500 $1,000 and be imprisoned in the
county jail for a term not less than 10 days or more than 6 months. A person convicted of a third or subsequent offense shall
be fined $1,000 and be imprisoned in the county jail for a term not less than 30 days or more than 1 year.
(b) A person convicted of the offense of medicaid fraud involving payments, benefits, or claims exceeding $500 $1,000
in value shall be fined an amount not to exceed the greater of $50,000 or 10 times the value of the payments obtained or be
imprisoned in the state prison for a term not to exceed 10 years, or both.
(c) For purposes of imposing sentence for a conviction under subsection (1)(b), the value of payments or benefits involved is the greater of the value of medicaid payments or benefits received as a result of the illegal conduct or activity or the value of the remuneration, rebate, or charge involved.
(d) Amounts involved in medicaid fraud committed pursuant to a common scheme or the same transaction may be aggregated in determining the value involved.
(e) A person convicted of the offense of medicaid fraud must be suspended from participation in the medicaid program:
(i) for any period of time not less than 1 year for a first offense, or the person may be permanently terminated from participation in the medical assistance program;
(ii) for any period of time not less than 3 years for a second offense, or the person may be permanently terminated from participation in the medical assistance program; or
(iii) permanently for a third offense.
(5) In addition to any other penalty provided by law, a person convicted of medicaid fraud is not entitled to bill or collect from the recipient, the medicaid program, or any other third-party payor for the services or items involved and shall repay to the medicaid program any payments or benefits obtained by any person for the services or items involved.
(6) The establishment of the criminal offenses specified in this section does not preclude the application of any other provision of law."
Section 10. Section 45-6-316, MCA, is amended to read:
"45-6-316. Issuing a bad check. (1) A person commits the offense of issuing a bad check when the person issues or delivers a check or other order upon a real or fictitious depository for the payment of money knowing that it will not be paid by the depository.
(2) If the offender has an account with the depository, failure to make good the check or other order within 5 days after written notice of nonpayment has been received by the issuer is prima facie evidence that the offender knew that it would not be paid by the depository.
(3) A person convicted of issuing a bad check shall be fined not to exceed $500 $1,000 or be imprisoned in the county
jail for any term not to exceed 6 months, or both. If the offender has engaged in issuing bad checks that are part of a
common scheme or if the value of any property, labor, or services obtained or attempted to be obtained exceeds $500
$1,000, the offender shall be fined not to exceed $50,000 or be imprisoned in the state prison for any term not to exceed 10
years, or both."
Section 11. Section 45-6-317, MCA, is amended to read:
"45-6-317. Deceptive practices. (1) A person commits the offense of deceptive practices when the person purposely or knowingly:
(a) causes another, by deception or threat, to execute a document disposing of property or a document by which a pecuniary obligation is incurred;
(b) makes or directs another to make a false or deceptive statement addressed to the public or any person for the purpose of promoting or procuring the sale of property or services;
(c) makes or directs another to make a false or deceptive statement to any person respecting the financial condition of the person making or directing another to make the statement for the purpose of procuring a loan or credit or accepts a false or deceptive statement from any person who is attempting to procure a loan or credit regarding that person's financial condition; or
(d) obtains or attempts to obtain property, labor, or services by any of the following means:
(i) using a credit card which that was issued to another without the other's consent;
(ii) using a credit card that has been revoked or canceled;
(iii) using a credit card that has been falsely made, counterfeited, or altered in any material respect;
(iv) using the pretended number or description of a fictitious credit card;
(v) using a credit card that has expired when the credit card clearly indicates the expiration date.
(2) A person convicted of the offense of deceptive practices shall be fined not to exceed $500 $1,000 or imprisoned in
the county jail for a term not to exceed 6 months, or both. If the deceptive practices are part of a common scheme or the
value of any property, labor, or services obtained or attempted to be obtained exceeds $500 $1,000, the offender shall be
fined not to exceed $50,000 or be imprisoned in the state prison for a term not to exceed 10 years, or both."
Section 12. Section 45-6-325, MCA, is amended to read:
"45-6-325. Forgery. (1) A person commits the offense of forgery when with purpose to defraud the person knowingly:
(a) without authority makes or alters any a document or other object apparently capable of being used to defraud another
in a manner that it purports to have been made by another or at another time or with different provisions or of different
composition;
(b) issues or delivers the document or other object knowing it to have been thus made or altered;
(c) possesses with the purpose of issuing or delivering any such document or other object knowing it to have been thus made or altered; or
(d) possesses with knowledge of its character any plate, die, or other device, apparatus, equipment, or article specifically designed for use in counterfeiting or otherwise forging written instruments.
(2) A purpose to defraud means the purpose of causing another to assume, create, transfer, alter, or terminate any right, obligation, or power with reference to any person or property.
(3) A document or other object capable of being used to defraud another includes but is not limited to one by which any right, obligation, or power with reference to any person or property may be created, transferred, altered, or terminated.
(4) A person convicted of the offense of forgery shall be fined not to exceed $500 $1,000 or be imprisoned in the county
jail for any term not to exceed 6 months, or both. If the forgery is part of a common scheme or if the value of the property,
labor, or services obtained or attempted to be obtained exceeds $500 $1,000, the offender shall be fined not to exceed
$50,000 or be imprisoned in the state prison for any term not to exceed 20 years, or both."
Section 13. Section 45-7-210, MCA, is amended to read:
"45-7-210. False claims to public agencies. (1) A person commits an offense under this section if the person purposely and knowingly presents for allowance or for payment any false or fraudulent claim, bill, account, voucher, or writing to any public agency, public servant, or contractor authorized to allow or pay claims presented to public agencies if genuine.
(2) (a) Except as provided in subsection (2)(b), a person convicted of an offense under this section shall be fined not to
exceed $500 $1,000 or imprisoned in the county jail for a term not to exceed 6 months, or both.
(b) If false or fraudulent claims are submitted purposely and knowingly as part of a common scheme or if the value of
the claim or the aggregate value of all claims exceeds $500 $1,000, a person convicted of an offense under this section shall
be fined not to exceed $10,000 or imprisoned in the state prison for a term not to exceed 10 years, or both."
- END -
Latest Version of HB 255 (HB0255.ENR)
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