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 - Hearing in House Judiciary on 2/18, MAC will testify, MAC Coordinating with Montana Abolition Coalition

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

HB 375 - Revise incarceration standards for pregnant women
Current Bill Progress - Hearing in House Judiciary on 2/12, MAC will testify

HB 215 - Prohibits incarceration of juveniles in adult prison
Current Bill Progress - Tabled in House Judiciary 2/7

HB 439 - Revise criminal sentencing laws for youth offenders
Current Bill Progress - Hearing in House Judiciary on 2/15

HJ 6 - Study resolution on post-incarceration employment opportunities
Current Bill Progress - Referred to Senate Judiciary

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

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 - Bill passed out of House Human Services on 2/15, MAC testified, Non-tabled, Coordinating with MT Food Bank Network

HB 79 - Revise laws relating to the temporary assistance for needy families program
Current Bill Progress: Scheduled for third reading

LC 1521 - Generally revise the Montana Human Rights Act
Current Bill Progress - Draft ready for delivery

SB 204 - Revise tax exemption laws for certain mobile homes
Current Bill Progress - In Taxation House Committee, Non-tabled

MAC Opposes

Issue Priority: Welcome the Stranger

HB 146 - Establish laws regarding sanctuary cities in Montana
Current Bill Progress - Transmitted to Senate

HB 147 - Referendum to establish sanctuary cities law in Montana
Current Bill Progress - Bill passed out of House Judiciary on 2/8; MAC testified

LC 1876 - Generally revise state laws related to immigration and refugees
Current Bill Progress - Draft taken off hold

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 - Bill passed out of House Judiciary on 2/15, Coordinating response with Montana Abolition Coalition

Issue Priority: Supporting Children
and Strengthening Families

HB 378 - Require workforce participation for SNAP recipients
Current Bill Progress - Bill passed out of House Human Services on 2/15, Non-tabled, Coordinating with Montana Food Bank Network

HB 290 - Require child support cooperation for food stamp eligibility
Current Bill Progress - Rereferred to committee on 2/13, hearing on 2/18