Bill > SB143

This bill modifies Montana's statutes of limitations (time periods within which legal actions must be filed) for certain types of civil claims. Specifically, the bill reduces the time limit for filing actions based on written contracts from 8 years to 6 years, and shortens the statute of limitations for damages arising from work on real property improvements or land surveying from 10 years to 6 years. For written contracts not founded on a written instrument, the limitation remains at 5 years, and for other obligations not founded on a written instrument, it remains at 3 years. The bill includes a provision allowing actions for injuries occurring during the sixth year after completion of an improvement to be commenced within 1 year of the injury's occurrence. The changes will apply to actions filed on or after October 1, 2025, meaning existing cases will not be retroactively affected. These modifications aim to standardize and potentially expedite the timeframe for legal claims related to contracts and property improvements, potentially providing more clarity and certainty for parties involved in such disputes.

Government Affairs, Justice

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC2447