The House Judiciary Committee of Montana convened on January 9, 2025, to discuss several key legislative issues, including proposed amendments to a bill concerning law enforcement and child protection.

The meeting began with a focus on the impact of end-to-end encryption on the reporting of cyber tips. A representative noted that prior to the implementation of such encryption, the state received approximately 22 million cyber tips annually. However, this number has significantly decreased due to the limitations imposed by encryption technologies.

Following this discussion, Representative Griffith raised a question regarding a specific amendment to the bill, particularly the removal of the term "person" in favor of "law enforcement officer." Griffith expressed concern that this change could limit the scope of the law and potentially promote vigilantism. In response, a representative involved in drafting the bill explained that the intention behind this amendment was to prevent situations where individuals outside of law enforcement could take matters into their own hands, which had previously led to problematic legal cases.

The representative further elaborated that discussions were ongoing about a potential amendment that would allow for broader language, specifying that a law enforcement officer could act in place of a child in certain circumstances. This proposed change aims to address concerns while maintaining the bill's focus on protecting children.

The committee also discussed the sources of cyber tips, with Mr. Cassidy indicating that many tips originate from within the state. He explained that the cyber tip process involves coordination between jurisdictions, particularly when a child is involved.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to further refine the language of the bill to ensure it effectively addresses the concerns raised while still providing necessary protections for children. The committee plans to continue its discussions in future sessions, focusing on the implications of these legislative changes.