Montana legislation · 2025 Regular Session
Montana HB605: Revise criminal laws related to strip searches
Status: Vetoed, May 13, 2025
What the bill says
An act providing that a person who will be housed in a jail or correctional facility for more than 12 hours may be subject to a strip search; providing for a fee; and amending section 46-5-105, mca.
From the engrossed text:
AN ACT PROVIDING THAT A PERSON WHO WILL BE HOUSED IN A JAIL OR CORRECTIONAL FACILITY FOR MORE THAN 12 HOURS MAY BE SUBJECT TO A STRIP SEARCH; PROVIDING FOR A FEE; AND AMENDING SECTION 46-5-105, MCA. Section 1. Section 46-5-105, MCA, is amended to read: "46-5-105. Reasonable suspicion required before strip search -- exception -- fee. (1) A Except as provided in subsection (2), a person arrested or detained for a traffic offense or an offense that is not a felony may not be subjected to a strip search or a body cavity search by a peace officer or law enforcement employee unless there is reasonable suspicion to believe the person is concealing a weapon, contraband, or evidence of the commission of a crime. (2) If a person will be housed in a jail or correctional facility following an initial appearance or arraignment for more than 12 hours, the person may be subjected to a strip search. For the purposes of this subsection, the strip search conducted by a peace officer or law enforcement employee may not include penetration of any body cavity. The strip search of the person must be conducted by a peace officer or law enforcement employee of the same sex. (3) Each county in the state of Montana shall pay a $250 fee to the …
Sponsors
- Nikolakakos, George (R, 22) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : (H) Vetoed by Governor
- : (H) Transmitted to Governor
- : (S) Signed by President
- : (H) Signed by Speaker
- : (H) Returned from Enrolling
- : (H) Sent to Enrolling
- : (H) 3rd Reading Senate Amendments
- : (H) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
- : (H) 2nd Reading Senate Amendments
- : (H) Scheduled for 2nd Reading
Votes
- Do Concur (April 25, 2025): 62 yea, 38 nay, passed
- Do Concur (April 24, 2025): 65 yea, 35 nay, passed
- Do Concur (April 22, 2025): 34 yea, 16 nay, passed
- Do Concur (April 18, 2025): 31 yea, 14 nay, passed
- Do Pass (March 6, 2025): 57 yea, 42 nay, passed
- Do Pass (March 4, 2025): 58 yea, 41 nay, passed
Subjects: Crimes, Corrections, Revenue, State
Common questions
- What is HB605?
- HB605 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Revise criminal laws related to strip searches.
- What does HB605 do?
- In its own words: An act providing that a person who will be housed in a jail or correctional facility for more than 12 hours may be subject to a strip search; providing for a fee; and amending section 46-5-105, mca.
- What is the status of HB605?
- Vetoed as of May 13, 2025. Latest action: (H) Vetoed by Governor (May 13, 2025).
- Who sponsored HB605?
- Nikolakakos, George (R, 22).
- Where is the official record for HB605?
- On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC3019
Source: official Montana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.