Mont. Code Ann. » TITLE 46. CRIMINAL PROCEDURE · CHAPTER 5. SEARCH AND SEIZURE · Part 1. Legality and Admissibility
Montana Code Annotated

Mont. Code Ann. § 46-5-110 (2026)

Location Information Privacy -- Civil Penalty -- Definitions

✓ current as of May 2026
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  1. MCA Contents
  2. TITLE 46
  3. CHAPTER 5
  4. Part 1
  5. 46-5-110 Location information privacy -- civil penalty -- definitions

TITLE 46. CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

CHAPTER 5. SEARCH AND SEIZURE

Part 1. Legality and Admissibility

Location Information Privacy -- Civil Penalty -- Definitions

46-5-110. Location information privacy -- civil penalty -- definitions. (1) (a) Except as provided in subsection (1)(b), a government entity may not obtain the location information of an electronic device without a search warrant issued by a duly authorized court.

(b) A government entity may obtain location information of an electronic device under any of the following circumstances:

(i) the device is reported stolen by the owner;

(ii) in order to respond to the user's call for emergency services;

(iii) with the informed, affirmative consent of the owner or user of the electronic device; or

(iv) there exists a possible life-threatening situation.

(c) Any evidence obtained in violation of this section is not admissible in a civil, criminal, or administrative proceeding and may not be used in an affidavit of probable cause in an effort to obtain a search warrant.

(d) A violation of this section will result in a civil fine not to exceed $50.

(2) As used in this section, the following definitions apply:

(a) "Electronic communication service" means a service that provides to users of the service the ability to send or receive wire or electronic communications.

(b) "Electronic device" means a device that enables access to or use of an electronic communication service, remote computing service, or location information service.

(c) "Government entity" means a state or local agency, including but not limited to a law enforcement entity or any other investigative entity, agency, department, division, bureau, board, or commission or an individual acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of a state or local agency.

(d) "Location information" means information concerning the location of an electronic device that, in whole or in part, is generated or derived from or obtained by the operation of an electronic device.

(e) "Location information service" means the provision of a global positioning service or other mapping, locational, or directional information service.

(f) "Remote computing service" means the provision of computer storage or processing services by means of an electronic communications system.

History: En. Secs. 1, 2, Ch. 394, L. 2013.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 3 cases (1 in the last 5 years), 2014–2021 · leading case: In re Tel. Info. Needed for a Crim. Investigation, 119 F. Supp. 3d 1011 (N.D. Cal. 2015).
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In re Tel. Info. Needed for a Crim. Investigation, 119 F. Supp. 3d 1011 (N.D. Cal. 2015). “of an electronic device without a search -warrant issued by a court upon probable cause,” subject to a handful of exceptions.”
United States v. Maurice Fregia (9th Cir. 2021). “” Mont. Code Ann. § 46-5-110 (1)(a). Despite the fact that the prosecutors sought Fregia’s CSLI under the incorrect statute, the orders were supported by affidavits establishing probable cause, a finding that Fregia does not 1 The prosecutors did request authority to install and…”
State v. Ramirez (Neb. 2014). “, Mont. Code Ann. § 46-5-110 (2013); State v.”
— Mont. Code Ann. § 46-5-110(1)(a) — 1 case
In re Tel. Info. Needed for a Crim. Investigation, 119 F. Supp. 3d 1011 (N.D. Cal. 2015). “of an electronic device without a search -warrant issued by a court upon probable cause,” subject to a handful of exceptions.”
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