Montana Legislature

Commission would track child abuses cases
By Freddy Monares
In the wake of reports of an increase in child abuse and neglect cases, lawmakers in Helena are considering a bill that would create a commission to review trends and patterns to share with policymakers. House Bill 303 also aims to educate the public and service providers about child abuse and neglect. The commission would provide analysis of information to further improve prevention. Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies representative Sarah Corbally says the bill echoes federal efforts. “It needs to be a proactive approach to prevent them, not this reactive approach to find new and greater punishments for these types of cases,” Corbally said. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Last Best Blog, Montana Legislature

Bill  would let lawmakers pack heat in Capitol
By Cole Grant
HELENA — House Bill 280 would allow lawmakers to carry handguns on state property, including in the Capitol during the Legislature. Rep.  Randy Brodehl, R-Kalispell, said he would support allowing anyone who qualifies for open and concealed carry to have guns on state property, but that getting support for that broad a bill would be unlikely. “The first thing that we need to do is start with who is the most vulnerable,” he said. “And in the Capitol, I think legislators are.”

Don Jones of MEA-MFT, a labor union representing public employees, said the bill could make the Capitol unwelcoming to visitors. “We shouldn’t do anything to discourage and create some sort of fear with the rest of the public who want to come here and talk to you about issues that they know you might have disagreements with them,” he said. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Last Best Blog, Montana Legislature

Bill would allow guns at the post office
By Cole Grant
The House Judiciary Committee heard testimony on four bills about gun control Tuesday morning at the 2017 Montana Legislature. House Bill 246 would allow firearms on postal service property in Montana, overriding a federal rule that prohibits it. This would include inside the post office, as well as the parking lot. Rep. Seth Berglee, R-Joliet, spoke in favor of the bill. “And even people that concealed carry, to say that you can’t just take it off and leave it in your vehicle, that that too would be illegal, I don’t think that’s really in keeping with the traditions of Montana,” he said. Continue Reading →

Filed under: Last Best Blog, Montana Legislature