News & Commentary

ACLU’s first lawsuit against the for-profit bail underwriters that drive the predatory bail industry ended in a financial payout. A Montana family who was stalked, hunted down, and held at gunpoint by bounty hunters in 2017 have settled a lawsuit filed against the insurance companies who make bounty-hunting possible and profitable. This settlement is the final chapter in a lawsuit filed in April 2019 by the American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of Montana, Terrell Marshall Law Group PLLC, and Tipp Coburn & Associates PC on behalf of Eugene Mitchell,  Shayleen Meuchell, and their young daughter. 

The ACLU of Montana today launched its first-ever statewide voter mobilization effort about the urgent civil liberties and civil rights issues -- including access to abortion -- at stake in the 2020 election. The Montana governor’s race is the focus of the voter education push. The ACLU of Montana does not support, oppose, or endorse candidates. The goal of this campaign is to inform voters on the candidates’ positions and how those positions could impact the lives of Montanans. “Civil rights and civil liberties, like abortion rights, are under attack, and that’s why we decided to get involved in this election,” said Caitlin Borgmann, executive director with the ACLU of Montana. Through its voter outreach and education work, the ACLU of Montana will reach over 100,000 voters throughout the state. Through mailers and digital ads, the organization will publicize the stance of gubernatorial candidates Mike Cooney and Greg Gianforte on issues including abortion and access to mental health and substance use disorder services. The ACLU of Montana sent a questionnaire to the gubernatorial candidates in August. Lt. Governor Cooney answered that he would veto any legislation that bans or restricts abortion.  Congressman Gianforte did not answer the questionnaire but has publicly stated that he supports overturning Roe v. Wade. Gianforte also cosponsored a 2019 bill that would have criminalized abortion providers wherein they could face up to five years in prison.“Abortion rights are on the line in this election. Our goal is to protect the right of abortion in Montana and protect medical providers from being criminalized for performing abortions by ensuring that people are informed before they vote,” said Borgmann. The questionnaire also included questions pertaining to LGBTQ equality, criminal legal reform, and Indigenous Justice. The ACLU of Montana is a nonpartisan organization that does not endorse or oppose any candidate for office. The ACLU’s goal is to promote voter education and voter participation.

The ACLU of Montana filed a brief on Monday with the Montana Supreme Court arguing that a district court’s degrading and humiliating punishment of two men who lied about serving in the U.S. military is unconstitutional.   

A Montana court permanently struck down a state law today that severely restricted the right to vote for Indigenous people living on rural reservations.

A diverse group of public interest and grassroots organizations including the ACLU of Montana has formed the Montana Coalition for Public Safety. The group’s goal is to work with lawmakers, political leaders, and community leaders, to build a just, fair, and accurate justice system that makes Montana safer for everyone. 

An Administrative Law Judge with the Montana Department of Labor and Industry today found that Yellowstone County unlawfully discriminated against a transgender woman during her time as an employee with Yellowstone County. According to the ruling, gender identity is protected by the Montana Human Rights Act. Building on the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling in Stephens v. Harris Funeral Home, the Court found health care plans cannot categorically exclude coverage for gender affirming care, meaning that an employer may not deny medically necessary health care to employees solely because of their transgender status.

The ACLU of Montana and community members today shared with Members of the Law and Justice Interim Committee about the challenges faced by individuals returning to their communities after being incarcerated or otherwise involved with Montana’s criminal legal system.  The ACLU of Montana and other advocates asked the committee to study ways to improve reentry programs and keep this issue on the table during the 2021 legislative session. 

Yellowstone County District Court has blocked a state law that severely restricts the right to vote for Native Americans. 

Motion to freeze hiring in Helena Police Department until further community ciscussion passes City Commission.The ACLU of Montana provided testimony at a Helena City Commission Meeting on Monday June 29, 2020 in support of a motion that could pave the way to ending policing in Helena’s schools.  Montana Human Rights Network, The Montana Racial Equity Project, Montana Women Vote, and Montana Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence are also in support of divesting resources away from funding police in Helena’s schools, and reinvesting those resources in services that would benefit the entire community, including students and young people.  “Police don't belong in schools,” said SK Rossi, Policy and Advocacy Director with the ACLU of Montana. “Instead, students need access to well-trained mental health professionals to guide and support them through tough times. Responding to student misbehavior by criminalizing it only harms students, their families, and our communities.  There are better, research-based ways to keep our students safe.  Tonight’s motion is a step in the right direction.” According to national research, schools with police are not any safer for students.  A report issued in 2019 by the ACLU of Montana showed that schools in Montana with police generally have higher rates of arrests, referrals to law enforcement, and out-of-school suspensions.  Black, Indigenous, and Latinx students experience disproportionate rates of punishment and police interactions, as do students with disabilities. Helena Public Schools are not immune to the trends seen across the state, and the country. In the 2015-16 school year: