Mont. Code Ann. » TITLE 1. GENERAL LAWS AND DEFINITIONS · CHAPTER 2. STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION · Part 1. General Provisions
Montana Code Annotated

Mont. Code Ann. § 1-2-109 (2026)

When Laws Retroactive

✓ current as of May 2026
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  1. MCA Contents
  2. TITLE 1
  3. CHAPTER 2
  4. Part 1
  5. 1-2-109 When laws retroactive

TITLE 1. GENERAL LAWS AND DEFINITIONS

CHAPTER 2. STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION

Part 1. General Provisions

When Laws Retroactive

1-2-109. When laws retroactive. No law contained in any of the statutes of Montana is retroactive unless expressly so declared.

History: En. Sec. 3, Pol. C. 1895; re-en. Sec. 3, Rev. C. 1907; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 4, L. 1921; re-en. Sec. 3, R.C.M. 1921; Cal. Pol. C. Sec. 3; re-en. Sec. 3, R.C.M. 1935; R.C.M. 1947, 12-201.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 67 cases (3 in the last 5 years), 1979–2025 · leading case: United States v. Juv. Male, 2011 MT 104 (Mont. 2011).
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United States v. Juv. Male, 2011 MT 104 (Mont. 2011). · cites it 60× “2d 96, 102 (1984), and § 1-2-109, MCA, provides that statutes are not retroactive unless expressly so declared by the Legislature.”
State v. Coleman, 605 P.2d 1000 (Mont. 1979). · cites it 24× “1947, now section 1-2-109 MCA) prevent application of the sentencing statutes enacted in 1977 to this defendant.”
Mordja v. Montana Eleventh Jud. Dist. Court, 2008 MT 24 (Mont. 2008). · cites it 46× “¶10 Section 1-2-109, MCA, creates a strong presumption that statutes do not have retroactive effect unless the Legislature specifically states otherwise: “No law contained in any of the statutes of Montana is retroactive unless expressly so declared.”
Porter v. Galarneau, 911 P.2d 1143 (Mont. 1996). · cites it 12× “158 to be retroactive and also contends that the amendment is substantive in nature and "alters the legal relationship" between the parties.”
Haugen v. Blaine Bank of Montana, 926 P.2d 1364 (Mont. 1996). · cites it 14× “Section 1-2-109, MCA, provides: When laws retroactive.”
City of Helena v. Cmty. of Rimini, 2017 MT 145 (Mont. 2017). · cites it 26× “Specifically, Skinner argues that since § 85-2-227(4), MCA, does not contain a retroactivity clause as required by § 1-2-109, MCA, it cannot be retroactively applied to him.”
Mountain West Farm Bureau Mut. Ins. v. Hall, 2001 MT 314 (Mont. 2001). · cites it 6× “As § 71-3-1114, MCA (2001), contains no express effective date prescription, both parties agree it has an October 1, 2001, effective date.”
Saint Vincent Hosp. & Health Ctr., Inc. v. Blue Cross & Blue Shield, 862 P.2d 6 (Mont. 1993). · cites it 12× “" Section 1-2-109, MCA. Previously, this Court has construed Montana's retroactive law statute.”
Allen v. Atl. Richfield Co., 2005 MT 281 (Mont. 2005). · cites it 10× “" ¶ 16 We conclude that §§ 35-1-935, MCA, and 35-1-937, MCA, govern Allen's ability to maintain an action against Robinson Insulation.”
Carelli v. Hall, 926 P.2d 756 (Mont. 1996). · cites it 5× “Stires contends, on the other hand, that the 1991 amendment was substantive and cannot be applied retroactively.”
In re D.B.J., 2012 MT 220 (Mont. 2012). · cites it 6× “For purposes of this section, all citations to the Montana Code Annotated are to the 2009 edition unless otherwise stated.”
In re R.A.D., 753 P.2d 862 (Mont. 1988). · cites it 8× “Nonetheless, a hearing was held by November 22, 1985, well within the 180-day time limitation.”
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