Bill > HB752

This bill establishes comprehensive legal provisions to prohibit access to child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in Montana, targeting content providers who produce, publish, distribute, or maintain sexually explicit visual content. The bill defines key terms such as "content provider" (which includes websites and social media platforms) and "child sexual abuse material" (child pornography or obscene material depicting minors in sexually explicit conduct), and creates a legal framework that allows victims (or their parents/guardians) to bring civil actions against providers who make such material reasonably accessible in Montana. Content providers are prohibited from producing or profiting from CSAM, with specific provisions that exempt certain types of internet infrastructure and services like hosting providers, internet service providers, and search engines. The bill establishes a complex damages structure where victims can seek injunctive relief, compensatory and punitive damages, and where monetary awards are carefully apportioned among victims, private plaintiffs, and the Montana Department of Justice. Notably, the bill includes statutes of limitations (15 years for victim actions and 10 years for private person actions) and provides defenses such as rapidly removing offensive content. The legislation will become effective on October 1, 2025, and is intended to be codified as a new part of Montana's state law.

Justice

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC1729