Montana
Montana Senate advances bill that would criminalize transgender procedures for youth
HELENA — Last legislative session, Montana lawmakers passed a law – currently held up in court – that prohibits gender-affirming procedures for transgender youth. On Monday, the state Senate endorsed a bill that would define providing those procedures to children under the age of 16 as criminal child endangerment.
Senators gave initial approval to Senate Bill 164, sponsored by Sen. John Fuller, R-Kalispell, on a 30-20 vote. If the bill becomes law, someone convicted of providing or procuring surgeries or hormone treatment to alter the perceived gender of a child under 16 could face up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The maximum sentence would be up to 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine if a judge or jury determined there was “serious bodily injury.”
Jonathon Ambarian
Supporters of SB 164 said Monday that it was needed to protect children from procedures that could have long-term health consequences.
“I wouldn’t want to wish that on anybody, let alone children,” said Sen. Theresa Manzella, R-Hamilton. “I believe it is our obligation to protect Montana’s children from these circumstances.”
Opponents of the bill said it was overreaching and could lead to parents and health care providers facing charges.
“It’s one thing to think that supporting a child’s transition is the wrong choice; we can all have our opinions, that is fine,” said Sen. Cora Neumann, D-Bozeman. “However, protecting freedom means that parents who love their children and want to help them have their freedom to choose.”
Jonathon Ambarian
“They’re just trying to get help for their children,” said Sen. Wendy McKamey, R-Great Falls. “And if they cannot trust the help, if they cannot find the help, if they think that they’re going to be penalized by trying to find this help, they’re not going to seek the help.”
Opponents also argued studies have shown withholding gender-affirming procedures from transgender youth could put them at a higher risk of suicide. Those in favor of the bill argued the data is not clear on whether that is the case.
Fuller also sponsored SB 99, the 2023 bill currently facing a challenge to its constitutionality. Regardless of that case, he said he believed SB 164 would ultimately be upheld.
“I would offer to you that the state does have a compelling interest, a very compelling interest,” he said.
All but two Republicans voted for SB 164, while all Democrats voted against it.
LEWISTOWN — 27 teams of cheerleaders from across Montana gathered at Fergus High School for Cheerfest.
Justin Robicheau reports – watch the video here:
Cheerleaders showcase talent at Cheerfest
“It’s the largest interscholastic cheerleading competition for Montana. We’re very excited that schools can come and show what they’ve been working all season for. This is our state, this is our divisional. So we’re very excited and can’t wait to see what Montana brings to the mat,” Cheerfest Director Rayna Phelps said.
Phelps said this year’s event is different from last year.
“We were really focusing on ways that we can really up this experience for cheerleaders and dancers across the state of Montana. This year, we included a backdrop, and lots of beautiful accents all throughout. We have a judging table, so it looks really nice,” Phelps said.
“There’s a high school mascot competition. Junior high team competition. There’s all classes of high schools. Class B, class A, double A, small group and large group. There’s dance solos, dance teams from across the state. And we have a college showcase,” Phelps said.
Glasgow High School senior Annika Smith said her school finished third in last year’s Cheerfest.
“I’m so excited. This last year we got third. So I’m really excited to come back and really go and try and get first. And it’s a little sad because it’ll be my last year, but I’m really excited to go out and give it my all,” Smith said.
MTN News
For Fergus High School senior Miriam Pavlovick, being surrounded by other cheerleaders from across the state is uplifting.
“It’s nice to see, like, a lot so many cheerleaders who enjoy the same thing. So much. And we just all come together and support one another,” Pavlovick said.
“Obviously when we go travel for basketball and state, like that, we’re cheering on our team. And this is a cool opportunity to show what cheerleaders can do and our stunting on all of our dancing and really get to show off a different side of cheerleading,” Smith said.
Registration for next year’s competition will open after Christmas.
MTN News
KALISPELL, Mont. — Flathead Electric reports more than 9,000 customers in Flathead County are currently without power.
Officials say the outage is due to a transmission service disruption from Bonneville Power Administration.
Their outage map currently shows 9,700 outages.
The BPA outage is also affecting Lincoln Electric customers Eureka, Rexford and Trego. Close to 6,000 outages are reported on their outage map.
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