Table of Contents
While we strive to be as accurate and complete as possible, our researchers are not attorneys, and state laws are often full of nuances and gaps. Legal challenges in some states have resulted in different registration requirements based on the year of conviction or first registration. Users must accept all risks associated with actions taken based on this information. Please help us improve by reporting any errors or omissions via our form at https://narsol.org/wiki-response/
Montana Laws Regarding Registration
Who must register?
MCA 46-23-504
https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0460/chapter_0230/part_0050/section_0040/0460-0230-0050-0040.html
Definitions, especially 9 46-23-502
https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0460/chapter_0230/part_0050/section_0020/0460-0230-0050-0020.html
What information must registrants provide?
MCA 46-23-504(3)
https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0460/chapter_0230/part_0050/section_0040/0460-0230-0050-0040.html
How frequently must they register? And for how long?
Quarterly/biannually/annually MCA 46-23-504(6)
https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0460/chapter_0230/part_0050/section_0040/0460-0230-0050-0040.html
Duration 10/25/life 46-23-506
https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0460/chapter_0230/part_0050/section_0060/0460-0230-0050-0060.html
Does the state categorize registrants by levels/tiers?
Yes Level 1 , 2 and 3
Level 1 MCA 44-5-103(13)
Level 2 MCA 44-5-103(13)
Level 3 MCA 44-5-103(13)
https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0440/chapter_0050/part_0010/section_0030/0440-0050-0010-0030.html
City County of Butte Law Enforcement
https://co.silverbow.mt.us/235/Tier-Level-System
Does the state use risk assessment when assigning tiers or levels to registrants?
Response needed.
Do any registrants remain privately registered? If so, who?
No 46-23-508
https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0460/chapter_0230/part_0050/section_0080/0460-0230-0050-0080.html
Is there a registration fee?
Yes
In statute, currently not enforced
46-23-504 (8)
https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0460/chapter_0230/part_0050/section_0040/0460-0230-0050-0040.html
Are there special restrictions for registrants even after supervision?
Geographic as to residence, living with minor (exceptions), victim, employment MCA 45-5-513
https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0450/chapter_0050/part_0050/section_0130/0450-0050-0050-0130.html
public notification 46-23-508
https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0460/chapter_0230/part_0050/section_0080/0460-0230-0050-0080.html
chemical treatment 45-5-12
https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0450/chapter_0050/part_0050/section_0120/0450-0050-0050-0120.html
Is there a process for removal from the registry? If so, who qualifies and what is the process?
Yes MCA 46-23-506(3) and (4)
https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0460/chapter_0230/part_0050/section_0060/0460-0230-0050-0060.html
What is the registration requirement for someone with a sexual offense who is visiting the state?
shall register within 3 business days of entering a county of this state for the purpose of residing or setting up a temporary residence for 10 days or more or for an aggregate period exceeding 30 days in a calendar year. MCA 46-23-504(1) ©
https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0460/chapter_0230/part_0050/section_0040/0460-0230-0050-0040.html
What is the registration requirement for someone with a sexual offense who will be moving to the state to live or to attend school?
Within 3 days if will be there 10 consecutive or 30 aggregate days. MCA 46-23-504(1) ©
https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0460/chapter_0230/part_0050/section_0040/0460-0230-0050-0040.html
State Laws Regarding Sexual Offenses and Offenders, other than registration
What sexual offenses can people be convicted of, and what are the ranges of sentences?
MCA Title 45. Crimes; Chapter 5. Offenses Against the Person. Part 5. Sexual Crimes
https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0450/chapter_0050/part_0050/sections_index.html
45-5-501
https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0450/chapter_0050/part_0050/section_0010/0450-0050-0050-0010.html
45-5-502
https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0450/chapter_0050/part_0050/section_0020/0450-0050-0050-0020.html
45-5-503
https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0450/chapter_0050/part_0050/section_0030/0450-0050-0050-0030.html
45-5-504
https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0450/chapter_0050/part_0050/section_0040/0450-0050-0050-0040.html
45-5-505 (renumbered to 45-8-218)
https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0450/chapter_0080/part_0020/section_0180/0450-0080-0020-0180.html
45-5-506 (renumbered to 45-5-511)
https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0450/chapter_0050/part_0050/section_0110/0450-0050-0050-0110.html
45-5-507
https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0450/chapter_0050/part_0050/section_0070/0450-0050-0050-0070.html
45-5-508
https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0450/chapter_0050/part_0050/section_0080/0450-0050-0050-0080.html
I also found this statute called “Predatory Loitering by Sexual Offender” MCA 45-8-221
https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0450/chapter_0080/part_0020/section_0210/0450-0080-0020-0210.html
Does the state have lifetime supervision?
This references it: MCA 46-23-1020(3) Other than that, no indication that Montana has this. I think that by lifetime supervision what is meant is registration.
https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0460/chapter_0230/part_0100/section_0200/0460-0230-0100-0200.html
Does the state have indeterminate sentencing?
No
What are the state civil commitment laws?
None.
What is the age of consent?
Age 16 MCA 45-5-502(3)
https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0450/chapter_0050/part_0050/section_0020/0450-0050-0050-0020.html
Are there “Romeo and Juliet” laws or other laws specific to young people?
MCA 45-5-502(3)
https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0450/chapter_0050/part_0050/section_0020/0450-0050-0050-0020.html
mistake of age defense 45-5-511
https://leg.mt.gov/bills/mca/title_0450/chapter_0050/part_0050/section_0110/0450-0050-0050-0110.html
Info for State Advocates
Are felons allowed to vote? If so, when is this right restored?
What does the state say about persons who are required to register?
https://app.doj.mt.gov/apps/svow/registrationrequirements.aspx
https://app.doj.mt.gov/apps/svow/offendertypes.aspx
How does the state’s legislative process work?
https://leg.mt.gov/content/For-Legislators/orientation/bill-becomes-law.pdf
https://leg.mt.gov/content/About-the-Legislature/Resources/how%20a%20bill%20becomes%20law.pdf
How can I locate legislation regarding sexual offense issues?
Bill Look up
https://leg.mt.gov/bill-info/look-up-bill/
FINDING AND TRACKING LEGISLATIVE BILLS
https://leg.mt.gov/bill-info/
Best keywords are:
sexual; sex offender registry; sex offender
How to sign up for notifications of bill movement:
Montana Legislature Preference Account Creation to follow and track bills
http://laws.leg.mt.gov/legprd/law_pref_list.check_size?P_SESS=20191
https://www.leg.mt.gov/
Montana Legislator Bill Tracker
https://meic.org/bill-tracker/#/
Most important legislative committees for our issues are:
All Montana committees
https://leg.mt.gov/committees/
Contact info for state legislators can be found at:
Legislator lookup
https://leg.mt.gov/legislator-lookup/
Other Useful State Information
Contact information for state registry office
P.O. Box 201417
Helena, MT 59620-1417
Sexual Offender Information Phone: (406) 444-7068
Violent Offender Information Phone: (406) 444-9877
Fax: (406) 444-2759
Email: dojsvor@mt.gov
https://app.doj.mt.gov/apps/svow/default.aspx
NARSOL state affiliate website or blog:
None yet.
Other helpful state advocacy groups:
Response needed.
Other registrant-friendly state support groups:
Response needed.
Other helpful information
Response needed.
http://www.sexoffenderresource.com/montana/