Representative Amy Regier (House District 6) presented House Bill 651, which would create a limited exception in the state fire code to allow certain supplemental emergency door locks for use during shelter-in-place emergencies such as active-shooter events.

“House Bill 651 allows the use of certain door lock devices during emergency situations while doing so in a way that respects the need of emergency personnel to gain entry into the building and the people within it,” Rep. Amy Regier told the committee.

Proponents included manufacturers and public-safety organizations. Shelby DeMars, representing Nightlock, described product criteria written into the bill and said devices would be for emergency use only, must allow egress from the inside without a key, and must not interfere with existing fire-exit hardware; the bill requires approval by the local fire department, law enforcement agency or code official before use in a building. Dan Smith, executive director of the Montana Police Protective Association and a former longtime police officer, said, “the longer we can keep the bad guy out in the hall and not in the rooms, the better,” and the association recommended a do-pass. Carter Marsh of the Montana Professional Firefighters said firefighters train on rescue task force responses and that keys or other access methods would allow emergency responders to enter secured rooms.

Several witnesses described how the devices are intended to be deployed: a bracket mounted to the door/frame and a removable locking bar that can be engaged from inside a room; responders would have keyed or mechanized means to remove the device. Committee members asked about per-door costs and deployment logistics; proponents estimated Nightlock-branded devices in a low-dollar-per-unit range for the mechanical product component, with a broader range depending on product type and installation.

No opponents testified in person or online. An informational witness from the state—Steve Biamonte, director of security for the Capitol Complex—attended and offered to answer questions about the capital’s security needs. Representative Regier closed by asking the committee to give the bill a do-pass.

The committee record shows broad support from law enforcement, firefighters, rural-education representatives and manufacturers, and no in-room opposition at the hearing.