Bill > HB287

This bill proposes significant changes to Montana's laws regarding dangerous drugs, focusing primarily on enhancing penalties for drug-related offenses involving firearms. The legislation amends three existing statutes to introduce stricter sentencing guidelines for criminal distribution of dangerous drugs and possession with intent to distribute. Specifically, the bill adds provisions that if a person commits a drug distribution or possession with intent to distribute offense while knowingly possessing or using a firearm, they will receive an additional mandatory prison sentence of 2 to 10 years on top of the existing penalties for the underlying drug crime. The bill maintains severe penalties for distributing drugs to minors, causing death through drug distribution, and specifically targets the distribution of potent synthetic opioids like fentanyl, which carry mandatory minimum sentences of 2 years in prison with no possibility of suspended sentence or early parole during that initial period. These changes aim to deter drug-related criminal activities and address the serious public safety concerns associated with drug trafficking and firearm use.

Justice

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC1790