Montana legislation · 2025 Regular Session
Montana HB316: Constitutional amendment to define person
Status: Failed, May 22, 2025
What the bill says
A bill for an act entitled: "an act submitting to the qualified electors of montana an amendment to article ii, section 17, of the montana constitution defining "person" to include all members of mankind at any stage of development; and providing an effective date.".
From the engrossed text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT SUBMITTING TO THE QUALIFIED ELECTORS OF MONTANA AN AMENDMENT TO ARTICLE II, SECTION 17, OF THE MONTANA CONSTITUTION DEFINING "PERSON" TO INCLUDE ALL MEMBERS OF MANKIND AT ANY STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE." BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA: Section 1. Article II, section 17, of The Constitution of the State of Montana is amended to read: "Section 17. Due process of law. (1) No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. (2) As used in this section, the word "person" applies to all members of mankind at any stage of development, beginning at the stage of fertilization or conception, regardless of age, health, level of functioning, or condition of dependency. (3) No cause of action may arise as a consequence of harm caused to an unborn baby by an unintentional act of its mother. (4) The legislature shall implement this section by appropriate legislation." NEW SECTION. Section 2. Severability. If a part of [this act] is invalid, all valid parts that are severable from the invalid part remain in effect. If a part of [this act] is invalid in one or more of its applications, the part remains in effect in all valid applications that are …
Sponsors
- Deming, Lee (R, 54) · primary sponsor
- Ricci, Vince (R, 27)
Latest actions
- : (H) Died in Process
- : (S) 3rd Reading; 2nd Chamber Vote Required
- : (S) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
- : (S) 2nd Reading
- : (S) Scheduled for 2nd Reading
- : (S) Committee Report
- : (S) Committee Executive Action
- : (S) Hearing
- : (S) Referred to Committee
- : (H) Transmitted to Senate
Votes
- Do Concur (April 18, 2025): 33 yea, 17 nay, passed
- Do Concur (April 17, 2025): 28 yea, 19 nay, passed
- Do Pass (March 26, 2025): 58 yea, 41 nay, passed
- Do Pass (March 25, 2025): 57 yea, 42 nay, passed
Subjects: Abortion, Constitutional Amendment Proposals
Common questions
- What is HB316?
- HB316 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Constitutional amendment to define person.
- What does HB316 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act entitled: "an act submitting to the qualified electors of montana an amendment to article ii, section 17, of the montana constitution defining "person" to include all members of mankind at any stage of development; and providing an effective date.".
- What is the status of HB316?
- Failed as of May 22, 2025. Latest action: (H) Died in Process (May 22, 2025).
- Who sponsored HB316?
- Deming, Lee (R, 54), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for HB316?
- On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC0891
Source: official Montana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.