Montana Code Annotated 2023

TITLE 53. SOCIAL SERVICES AND INSTITUTIONS

CHAPTER 24. ALCOHOLISM AND DRUG DEPENDENCE

Part 1. General Provisions

Criminal Laws Limitation

53-24-106. Criminal laws limitation. (1) A county, municipality, or other political subdivision may not adopt or enforce a local law, ordinance, resolution, or rule having the force of law that includes drinking, being a common drunkard, or being found in an intoxicated condition as one of the elements of the offense giving rise to a criminal or civil penalty or sanction.

(2) This section does not affect any law, ordinance, resolution, or rule against drunken driving, driving under the influence of alcohol, or other similar offense involving the operation of a vehicle, an aircraft, a boat, machinery, or other equipment or regarding the sale, purchase, dispensing, possessing, or use of alcoholic beverages at stated times and places or by a particular class of persons.

(3) This section does not prevent the department from imposing a sanction on or denying eligibility to applicants for or recipients of public assistance who fail or refuse to comply with all eligibility criteria and program requirements.

History: En. 80-2723 by Sec. 2, Ch. 403, L. 1975; R.C.M. 1947, 80-2723; amd. Sec. 41, Ch. 465, L. 2001.