Bill > SB154

This bill revises Montana's laws regarding the sale and purchase of human body parts and whole bodies, primarily by expanding existing prohibitions and adding new definitions. The bill amends two sections of Montana Code Annotated, first updating definitions in Section 72-17-102 to include a new definition of "human fetal tissue" as tissue or cells obtained from a dead human embryo or fetus after an abortion or stillbirth, and clarifying that this does not include established fetal cell lines. The bill also modifies the definition of "part" to explicitly include human fetal tissue. In Section 72-17-302, the bill strengthens prohibitions on the sale or purchase of body parts and whole bodies for purposes including transplantation, therapy, research, education, and training of search and rescue canines. While the existing law already prohibited selling body parts for these purposes, the new version explicitly adds whole bodies to the prohibition. The bill maintains an exception for reasonable payments related to processing, storage, transportation, and other logistical aspects of handling human body parts. Violations of these prohibitions remain a felony, punishable by a fine up to $50,000, imprisonment up to 5 years, or both. The bill takes effect immediately upon passage and approval.

Justice

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC0060