Montana legislation · 2025 Regular Session
Montana SB101: Revise laws related to squatting
Status: Signed into law, April 18, 2025
What the bill says
An act revising laws related to squatting; creating the offense of unlawful squatting; creating the offense of fraudulent sale or lease of property; providing a process for removal of the person from the property; providing indemnity for good faith conduct of law enforcement; and amending section 70-24-113, mca.".
From the engrossed text:
AN ACT REVISING LAWS RELATED TO SQUATTING; CREATING THE OFFENSE OF UNLAWFUL SQUATTING; CREATING THE OFFENSE OF FRAUDULENT SALE OR LEASE OF PROPERTY; PROVIDING A PROCESS FOR REMOVAL OF THE PERSON FROM THE PROPERTY; PROVIDING INDEMNITY FOR GOOD FAITH CONDUCT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT; AND AMENDING SECTION 70-24-113, MCA." Section 1. Unlawful squatting. (1) A person commits the offense of unlawful squatting when the person knowingly, without the consent of the owner, rightful occupant, or an authorized representative of the and (b) resides on the premises for any period of time. (2) A person convicted of unlawful squatting is guilty of a misdemeanor. In addition to the penalties provided in 46-18-212, the person must be ordered to make restitution in an amount equal to the fair market value rent for the duration of the party's occupancy of the premises. (3) A person who knowingly presents a false document purporting to convey authorization to enter and remain on the premises commits the offense of forgery and is subject to the penalties provided in 45-6-325. (4) A person who commits the offense of unlawful squatting and intentionally damages the property commits the offense of criminal mischief and is subject to the penalties provided in 45-6-101. (5) Law enforcement may immediately remove a person who commits the offense of unlawful squatting from the premises. …
Sponsors
- Beard, Becky (R, 38) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : Chapter Number Assigned
- : (S) Signed by Governor
- : (S) Transmitted to Governor
- : (H) Signed by Speaker
- : (S) Signed by President
- : (S) Fiscal Note Printed
- : (S) Returned from Enrolling
- : (S) Sent to Enrolling
- : (S) 3rd Reading House Amendments
- : (S) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
Votes
- Do Pass (April 1, 2025): 35 yea, 15 nay, passed
- Do Pass (March 31, 2025): 37 yea, 13 nay, passed
- Do Concur (March 27, 2025): 58 yea, 41 nay, passed
- Do Concur (March 26, 2025): 58 yea, 41 nay, passed
- Do Pass (January 24, 2025): 35 yea, 14 nay, passed
- Do Pass (January 23, 2025): 35 yea, 15 nay, passed
Subjects: Property, Crimes
Common questions
- What is SB101?
- SB101 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Revise laws related to squatting.
- What does SB101 do?
- In its own words: An act revising laws related to squatting; creating the offense of unlawful squatting; creating the offense of fraudulent sale or lease of property; providing a process for removal of the person from the property; providing indemnity for good faith conduct of law enforcement; and amending section 70-24-113, mca.".
- What is the status of SB101?
- Signed into law as of April 18, 2025. Latest action: Chapter Number Assigned (April 18, 2025).
- Who sponsored SB101?
- Beard, Becky (R, 38).
- Where is the official record for SB101?
- On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC0962
Source: official Montana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.