MAC Legislative Updates - Montana Association of Christians

2019 Legislative Updates
Below you will find links to track individual bills.

Below are the individual bills supported or opposed by MAC. You can click on the links for each bill to see their status. The link will take you to a new web page on the Montana State web site.

MAC Supports

Issue Priority: Abolish the Death Penalty

HB 350 - Abolish death penalty and replace with life without parole
Current Bill Progress - Missed deadline for general bill transmittal, 3/02

Issue Priority: Humane Incarceration

HB182 - Establish the Civil Justice Improvement Act
Current Bill Progress - MAC testified at hearing in House Judiciary on 1/25, Tabled in House Judiciary 1/31

HB 375 - Revise incarceration standards for pregnant women
Current Bill Progress - Missed deadline for general bill transmittal, 3/02

HB 215 - Prohibits incarceration of juveniles in adult prison
Current Bill Progress - Missed deadline for general bill transmittal, 3/02

HB 429 - Revise criminal sentencing laws for youth offenders
Current Bill Progress - Missed deadline for general bill transmittal, 3/02

HJ 6 - Study resolution on post-incarceration employment opportunities
Current Bill Progress - Tabled in Senate Judiciary 3/20

Issue Priority: Supporting Children and Strengthening Families

HB 186 - Revise laws related to depression screening in public schools
Current Bill Progress - House Appropriations Tabled on 2/11

HB 187 - Revise laws related to youth suicide prevention
Current Bill Progress - MAC testified in support, Tabled in House Human Services on 1/24, Tabled

LC 568 - Declaration of policy regarding foster parents and foster children
Current Bill Progress: Draft ready for delivery

HB 400 - Generally revise supplemental assistance program laws
Current Bill Progress - Tabled by Senate Public Health, Welfare & Safety 4/8

HB 79 - Revise laws relating to the temporary assistance for needy families program
Current Bill Progress: Signed by Governor, 3/7

HB 465 - Generally revise the Montana Human Rights Act
Current Bill Progress - Missed deadline for general bill transmittal, 3/02

SB 204 - Revise tax exemption laws for certain mobile homes
Current Bill Progress - Hearing on 4/5 in House Taxation; MAC has testified in support and provided letter

HB 648 - Create state program to incentivize school breakfast program
Current Bill Progress - Tabled in House Education 3/27

HB 21 "Establishing Hanna's Act" Current Bill Progress - Hearing on 4/8 Senate Finance & Claims

HB 726 Extend child support obligation for children with disabilities Current Bill Progress - In second House, out of committee

MAC Opposes

Issue Priority: Welcome the Stranger

HB 146 - Establish laws regarding sanctuary cities in Montana
Current Bill Progress - Scheduled for 2nd reading on 4/9; MAC Provided letter

HB 147 - Referendum to establish sanctuary cities law in Montana
Current Bill Progress - 2nd Reading not passed 3/30

LC 1876 - Generally revise state laws related to immigration and refugees
Current Bill Progress - Draft on hold 2/26

Issue Priority: Humane Incarceration

LC 2422 - Add life without parole for certain crimes
Current Bill Progress - Draft on hold

Issue Priority: Abolish the Death Penalty

HB 238 - Revise penalties for false reporting of crimes (makes false reports of crime punishable by death)
Current Bill Progress - Passed by legislature on 4/9, Coordinating response with Montana Abolition Coalition

Issue Priority: Supporting Children
and Strengthening Families

HB 378 - Require workforce participation for SNAP recipients
Current Bill Progress - Tabled in House Appropriations 2/25

HB 290 - Require child support cooperation for food stamp eligibility
Current Bill Progress - Signed by Speaker 4/9