Bill would let municipalities use full‑time special services officers as court security

House Bill 581 would expand the definition of special services officers to include full‑time, paid unsworn members of law‑enforcement agencies and allow chiefs to appoint them as municipal court officers tasked with courtroom security.

Representative Denise Baum, sponsor of HB 581, said the Montana Association of Chiefs of Police requested the change because many municipal departments lack sufficient sworn staffing to provide regular court security without pulling patrol officers from street duties. “Special services officers are unsworn, so they don't have arrest powers,” the sponsor explained in her opening; the bill would explicitly permit municipalities to use full‑time paid special services officers for courtroom security.

Bozeman Police Chief Jim Veltkamp testified for the bill, saying it would save money, create a career pipeline for future sworn officers and allow smaller jurisdictions to provide consistent court security. “This bill would expand the current definition of special services officers to include unsworn full‑time paid members of a law enforcement agency and authorize chiefs to assign 1 or more as court officers,” Veltkamp said. He emphasized training and local department oversight as safeguards and noted several states already rely on non‑sworn bailiffs or security officers in courtrooms.

The committee heard no opposition during the hearing and the sponsor stood for questions. The bill will proceed for further committee consideration.