Montana Privacy & Security Compliance Guide

🚨 Montana Consumer Data Privacy Act (MCDPA) - Amended by SB 297 (2025) - Effective October 1, 2024 | SB 297 Amendments: October 1, 2025

October 1, 2024 | SB 297 Amendments: October 1, 2025

Applies to businesses processing 50,000+ Montana consumers' data. SB 297 removed cure period and enhanced AG enforcement powers effective Oct 1, 2025.

🚨 MONTANA SB 297: GAME CHANGER (MAY 2025)

CRITICAL UPDATE: Governor Gianforte signed SB 297 on May 8, 2025, fundamentally changing Montana's privacy law enforcement. Amendments take effect October 1, 2025.

What SB 297 Changed:
• ❌ CURE PERIOD ELIMINATED: AG no longer required to offer 30-day cure before enforcement
• 💰 $7,500 PENALTY CAP: Civil penalties capped at $7,500 per violation
• 🔍 ENHANCED AG POWERS: Attorney General granted investigatory powers from Consumer Protection Act
• 📋 CIVIL INVESTIGATIVE DEMANDS: AG can compel production of documents and data protection assessments

50,000 Consumer Threshold - Lowest Nationally: Montana's MCDPA has the lowest applicability threshold of any comprehensive state privacy law. Small regional businesses with 50K+ Montana customers must comply.

Agricultural Data Focus:
• Ranch management software
• Livestock tracking systems
• Crop yield data platforms
• Farm equipment telemetry
• Precision agriculture IoT devices

Tourism Industry Impact: Yellowstone/Glacier National Park area businesses handling visitor data must comply. Outdoor recreation apps, hunting/fishing licenses, hotel reservations particularly affected.

Enforcement Readiness: Montana AG building enforcement team for October 2025 SB 297 effective date. Expect early enforcement actions targeting obvious violations - no cure period means immediate fines.

Montana by the Numbers

1.1 million

Population

25,000+

Businesses Affected

23

Recent Data Breaches

$$7,500 per violation (capped by SB 297)

Per Violation Fine

Who Must Comply in Montana?

Montana Consumer Data Privacy Act (MCDPA) - Amended by SB 297 (2025) applies to businesses that:

  • Process personal data of Montana residents
  • Meet revenue or data volume thresholds
  • Sell products/services to Montana consumers
  • Have physical or digital presence in Montana

Montana-Specific Requirements

MCDPA has lowest threshold (50,000 consumers) of any state privacy law. SB 297 (May 2025) eliminated 30-day cure period, capped penalties at $7,500 per violation, and granted AG investigatory powers from Montana Consumer Protection Act.

Recent Montana Privacy & Security Cases

Montana State University breach (2023) - 120,000 affected

Billings Clinic cyberattack (2024) - Patient data exposed

Agricultural co-op ransomware (2024) - Farmer data compromised

SB 297 enforcement expected Q4 2025 - AG ramping up investigations

Major Montana Business Centers

Key cities where privacy compliance is critical for business success:

  • Billings
  • Missoula
  • Great Falls
  • Bozeman
  • Butte

Test Your Montana Website's Privacy & Security Compliance

Don't wait for regulators or hackers. Check your compliance status now.

Free Privacy & Security Scan →