Montana legislation · 2025 Regular Session
Montana HB44: Revise laws related to tampering with evidence connected to a homicide
Status: Signed into law, March 27, 2025
What the bill says
An act revising laws related to tampering with or fabricating physical evidence; establishing a penalty for tampering with or fabricating physical evidence in connection with a homicide; and amending section 45-7-207, mca.
From the engrossed text:
AN ACT REVISING LAWS RELATED TO TAMPERING WITH OR FABRICATING PHYSICAL EVIDENCE; ESTABLISHING A PENALTY FOR TAMPERING WITH OR FABRICATING PHYSICAL EVIDENCE IN CONNECTION WITH A HOMICIDE; AND AMENDING SECTION 45-7-207, MCA. Section 1. Section 45-7-207, MCA, is amended to read: "45-7-207. Tampering with or fabricating physical evidence -- penalties. (1) A person commits the offense of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence if, believing that an official proceeding or investigation is pending or about to be instituted, the person: (a) alters, destroys, conceals, or removes any record, document, or thing with purpose to impair its verity or availability in the proceeding or investigation; or (b) makes, presents, or uses any record, document, or thing knowing it to be false and with purpose to mislead any person who is or may be engaged in the proceeding or investigation. (2) (a) A Except as provided in subsection (2)(b), a person convicted of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence shall be imprisoned in the state prison for a term not to exceed 10 years or be fined an amount not to exceed $50,000, or both. (b) A person convicted of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence in connection with a homicide or homicide investigation and who in so doing affected the ability of a coroner or medical examiner to determine either a …
Sponsors
- Baum, Denise (D, 45) · primary sponsor
- Neumann, Cora (D, 30)
Latest actions
- : Chapter Number Assigned
- : (H) Signed by Governor
- : (H) Transmitted to Governor
- : (S) Signed by President
- : (H) Signed by Speaker
- : (H) Returned from Enrolling
- : (H) Sent to Enrolling
- : (S) 3rd Reading
- : (S) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
- : (S) 2nd Reading
Votes
- Do Concur (February 24, 2025): 45 yea, 4 nay, passed
- Do Concur (February 21, 2025): 44 yea, 6 nay, passed
- Do Pass (January 17, 2025): 94 yea, 4 nay, passed
- Do Pass (January 16, 2025): 95 yea, 4 nay, passed
Subjects: Crimes, Criminal Procedure
Common questions
- What is HB44?
- HB44 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Revise laws related to tampering with evidence connected to a homicide.
- What does HB44 do?
- In its own words: An act revising laws related to tampering with or fabricating physical evidence; establishing a penalty for tampering with or fabricating physical evidence in connection with a homicide; and amending section 45-7-207, mca.
- What is the status of HB44?
- Signed into law as of March 27, 2025. Latest action: Chapter Number Assigned (March 27, 2025).
- Who sponsored HB44?
- Baum, Denise (D, 45), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HB44?
- On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC0320
Source: official Montana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.