{
  "batch": "684-montana-obscenity-and-distribution",
  "articles": [
    {
      "id": "learn_r684_montana_obscenity_and_distribution_684_montana_anchor",
      "category": "Safety",
      "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Montana Code Annotated 2025: official statute site anchor",
      "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] The Montana Code Annotated 2025, published by the Montana Legislature, is the official statutory code of Montana and its Title 45 Chapter 8 Part 2 contains the obscenity and harmful-to-minors provisions at sections 45-8-201 through 45-8-208.",
      "body": "The Montana Code Annotated 2025, published by the Montana Legislature, is the official statutory code of Montana and its Title 45 Chapter 8 Part 2 contains the obscenity and harmful-to-minors provisions at sections 45-8-201 through 45-8-208.\n\nWhat Montana Legislature actually says:\n\n“TITLE 45. CRIMES\n\nCHAPTER 8. OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER\n\nPart 2. Offensive, Indecent, and Inhumane Conduct\n\n45-8-201 Obscenity\n45-8-202 Repealed\n45-8-203 Certain motion picture theater employees not liable for prosecution\n45-8-204 Repealed\n45-8-205 Definitions\n45-8-206 Public display or dissemination of obscene material to minors\n45-8-207 Notice of violation\n45-8-208 Penalties”\n\nNote: Anchor record for the Montana Code Annotated Title 45 Chapter 8 Part 2 which contains the obscenity statutes. The index page lists all sections in this part.",
      "source_type": "official",
      "source_link": "https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0450/chapter_0080/part_0020/sections_index.html",
      "last_verified": "2026-10-11",
      "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE",
      "source_tier": "A",
      "source_publisher": "Montana Legislature",
      "evidence_quote": "TITLE 45. CRIMES\n\nCHAPTER 8. OFFENSES AGAINST PUBLIC ORDER\n\nPart 2. Offensive, Indecent, and Inhumane Conduct\n\n45-8-201 Obscenity\n45-8-202 Repealed\n45-8-203 Certain motion picture theater employees not liable for prosecution\n45-8-204 Repealed\n45-8-205 Definitions\n45-8-206 Public display or dissemination of obscene material to minors\n45-8-207 Notice of violation\n45-8-208 Penalties",
      "volatility": "low",
      "from_batch": "684-montana-obscenity-and-distribution",
      "subject": "Montana Code Annotated 2025",
      "topic": "official statute site anchor",
      "applies_to_country": "us",
      "applies_to_scope": "Montana state law only",
      "tags": {
        "lane": "any",
        "stage": "choosing",
        "region": [
          "us-mt"
        ],
        "platform": "any",
        "topic": [
          "safety.legal"
        ],
        "explicitness": "any"
      },
      "verification": {
        "status": "unverified",
        "label": "Unverified - being checked",
        "reasons": [
          "legal_fetch_over_cap"
        ],
        "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "learn_r684_montana_obscenity_and_distribution_684_montana_obscenity_definition",
      "category": "Safety",
      "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Montana Code Annotated 45-8-201: obscenity definition",
      "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Montana defines obscenity in MCA 45-8-201(2) as material that (a) represents perverted ultimate sexual acts, or patently offensive normal ultimate sexual acts, or patently offensive masturbation/excretory functions/lewd exhibition of genitals; and (b) taken as a whole appeals to prurient interest, portrays conduct in a patently offensive way, and lacks serious literary/artistic/political/scientific value.",
      "body": "Montana defines obscenity in MCA 45-8-201(2) as material that (a) represents perverted ultimate sexual acts, or patently offensive normal ultimate sexual acts, or patently offensive masturbation/excretory functions/lewd exhibition of genitals; and (b) taken as a whole appeals to prurient interest, portrays conduct in a patently offensive way, and lacks serious literary/artistic/political/scientific value.\n\nWhat Montana Legislature actually says:\n\n“(2) A thing is obscene if:\n\n(a) (i) it is a representation or description of perverted ultimate sexual acts, actual or simulated;\n\n(ii) it is a patently offensive representation or description of normal ultimate sexual acts, actual or simulated; or\n\n(iii) it is a patently offensive representation or description of masturbation, excretory functions, or lewd exhibition of the genitals; and\n\n(b) taken as a whole the material:\n\n(i) applying contemporary community standards, appeals to the prurient interest in sex;\n\n(ii) portrays conduct described in subsection (2)(a)(i), (2)(a)(ii), or (2)(a)(iii) in a patently offensive way; and\n\n(iii) lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.”\n\nNote: This is the full statutory definition of obscenity in Montana under MCA 45-8-201(2).",
      "source_type": "official",
      "source_link": "https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0450/chapter_0080/part_0020/section_0010/0450-0080-0020-0010.html",
      "last_verified": "2026-10-11",
      "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE",
      "source_tier": "A",
      "source_publisher": "Montana Legislature",
      "evidence_quote": "(2) A thing is obscene if:\n\n(a) (i) it is a representation or description of perverted ultimate sexual acts, actual or simulated;\n\n(ii) it is a patently offensive representation or description of normal ultimate sexual acts, actual or simulated; or\n\n(iii) it is a patently offensive representation or description of masturbation, excretory functions, or lewd exhibition of the genitals; and\n\n(b) taken as a whole the material:\n\n(i) applying contemporary community standards, appeals to the prurient interest in sex;\n\n(ii) portrays conduct described in subsection (2)(a)(i), (2)(a)(ii), or (2)(a)(iii) in a patently offensive way; and\n\n(iii) lacks serious literary, artistic, political, or scientific value.",
      "volatility": "low",
      "from_batch": "684-montana-obscenity-and-distribution",
      "subject": "Montana Code Annotated 45-8-201",
      "topic": "obscenity definition",
      "applies_to_country": "us",
      "applies_to_scope": "Montana state law only",
      "tags": {
        "lane": "any",
        "stage": "choosing",
        "region": [
          "us-mt"
        ],
        "platform": "any",
        "topic": [
          "safety.legal"
        ],
        "explicitness": "any"
      },
      "verification": {
        "status": "unverified",
        "label": "Unverified - being checked",
        "reasons": [
          "legal_fetch_over_cap"
        ],
        "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "learn_r684_montana_obscenity_and_distribution_684_montana_obscenity_offense_elements",
      "category": "Safety",
      "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Montana Code Annotated 45-8-201: obscenity offense elements",
      "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Under MCA 45-8-201(1), a person commits obscenity when, with knowledge of the obscene nature of the material, they purposely or knowingly: (a) sell/deliver/provide or offer/agree to sell/deliver/provide obscene material to anyone under 18 or believed to be under 18; (b) present/direct obscene performance to anyone under 18; (c) publish/exhibit/make available anything obscene to anyone under 18; (d) perform obscene act or present obscene exhibition to anyone under 18; (e) create/buy/procure/possess obscene matter with purpose to disseminate to anyone under 18 or believed under 18; or (f) advertise/promote sale of obscene material or material represented as obscene.",
      "body": "Under MCA 45-8-201(1), a person commits obscenity when, with knowledge of the obscene nature of the material, they purposely or knowingly: (a) sell/deliver/provide or offer/agree to sell/deliver/provide obscene material to anyone under 18 or believed to be under 18; (b) present/direct obscene performance to anyone under 18; (c) publish/exhibit/make available anything obscene to anyone under 18; (d) perform obscene act or present obscene exhibition to anyone under 18; (e) create/buy/procure/possess obscene matter with purpose to disseminate to anyone under 18 or believed under 18; or (f) advertise/promote sale of obscene material or material represented as obscene.\n\nWhat Montana Legislature actually says:\n\n“(1) A person commits the offense of obscenity when, with knowledge of the obscene nature of the material, the person purposely or knowingly:\n\n(a) sells, delivers, or provides or offers or agrees to sell, deliver, or provide any obscene writing, picture, record, or other representation or embodiment of the obscene to anyone under 18 years of age or a person, including a law enforcement officer using an undercover or fictitious identity, whom the offender believes to be under 18 years of age;\n\n(b) presents or directs an obscene play, dance, or other performance, or participates in that portion of the performance that makes it obscene, to anyone under 18 years of age;\n\n(c) publishes, exhibits, or otherwise makes available anything obscene to anyone under 18 years of age;\n\n(d) performs an obscene act or otherwise presents an obscene exhibition of the person's body to anyone under 18 years of age;\n\n(e) creates, buys, procures, or possesses obscene matter or material with the purpose to disseminate it to anyone under 18 years of age or a person, including a law enforcement officer using an undercover or fictitious identity, whom the offender believes to be under 18 years of age; or\n\n(f) advertises or otherwise promotes the sale of obscene material or materials represented or held out by the person to be obscene.”\n\nNote: The statute only criminalizes distribution/dissemination TO minors (under 18). There is no offense for distributing obscene material to adults 18+ under this section.",
      "source_type": "official",
      "source_link": "https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0450/chapter_0080/part_0020/section_0010/0450-0080-0020-0010.html",
      "last_verified": "2026-10-11",
      "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE",
      "source_tier": "A",
      "source_publisher": "Montana Legislature",
      "evidence_quote": "(1) A person commits the offense of obscenity when, with knowledge of the obscene nature of the material, the person purposely or knowingly:\n\n(a) sells, delivers, or provides or offers or agrees to sell, deliver, or provide any obscene writing, picture, record, or other representation or embodiment of the obscene to anyone under 18 years of age or a person, including a law enforcement officer using an undercover or fictitious identity, whom the offender believes to be under 18 years of age;\n\n(b) presents or directs an obscene play, dance, or other performance, or participates in that portion of the performance that makes it obscene, to anyone under 18 years of age;\n\n(c) publishes, exhibits, or otherwise makes available anything obscene to anyone under 18 years of age;\n\n(d) performs an obscene act or otherwise presents an obscene exhibition of the person's body to anyone under 18 years of age;\n\n(e) creates, buys, procures, or possesses obscene matter or material with the purpose to disseminate it to anyone under 18 years of age or a person, including a law enforcement officer using an undercover or fictitious identity, whom the offender believes to be under 18 years of age; or\n\n(f) advertises or otherwise promotes the sale of obscene material or materials represented or held out by the person to be obscene.",
      "volatility": "low",
      "from_batch": "684-montana-obscenity-and-distribution",
      "subject": "Montana Code Annotated 45-8-201",
      "topic": "obscenity offense elements",
      "applies_to_country": "us",
      "applies_to_scope": "Montana state law only",
      "tags": {
        "lane": "any",
        "stage": "trouble",
        "region": [
          "us-mt"
        ],
        "platform": "any",
        "topic": [
          "safety.legal"
        ],
        "explicitness": "any"
      },
      "verification": {
        "status": "unverified",
        "label": "Unverified - being checked",
        "reasons": [
          "legal_fetch_over_cap"
        ],
        "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "learn_r684_montana_obscenity_and_distribution_684_montana_obscenity_penalty",
      "category": "Safety",
      "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Montana Code Annotated 45-8-201: obscenity penalty",
      "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Under MCA 45-8-201(4), a person convicted of obscenity shall be fined at least $500 but not more than $1,000 or imprisoned in the county jail for a term not to exceed 6 months, or both.",
      "body": "Under MCA 45-8-201(4), a person convicted of obscenity shall be fined at least $500 but not more than $1,000 or imprisoned in the county jail for a term not to exceed 6 months, or both.\n\nWhat Montana Legislature actually says:\n\n“(4) A person convicted of obscenity shall be fined at least $500 but not more than $1,000 or be imprisoned in the county jail for a term not to exceed 6 months, or both.”\n\nNote: Obscenity under 45-8-201 is a misdemeanor with a mandatory minimum fine of $500, maximum $1,000, and/or up to 6 months in county jail.",
      "source_type": "official",
      "source_link": "https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0450/chapter_0080/part_0020/section_0010/0450-0080-0020-0010.html",
      "last_verified": "2026-10-11",
      "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE",
      "source_tier": "A",
      "source_publisher": "Montana Legislature",
      "evidence_quote": "(4) A person convicted of obscenity shall be fined at least $500 but not more than $1,000 or be imprisoned in the county jail for a term not to exceed 6 months, or both.",
      "volatility": "low",
      "from_batch": "684-montana-obscenity-and-distribution",
      "subject": "Montana Code Annotated 45-8-201",
      "topic": "obscenity penalty",
      "applies_to_country": "us",
      "applies_to_scope": "Montana state law only",
      "tags": {
        "lane": "any",
        "stage": "trouble",
        "region": [
          "us-mt"
        ],
        "platform": "any",
        "topic": [
          "safety.legal",
          "money.fees"
        ],
        "explicitness": "any"
      },
      "verification": {
        "status": "unverified",
        "label": "Unverified - being checked",
        "reasons": [
          "legal_fetch_over_cap"
        ],
        "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "learn_r684_montana_obscenity_and_distribution_684_montana_harmful_to_minors_definition",
      "category": "Safety",
      "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Montana Code Annotated 45-8-205: harmful to minors definition",
      "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Under MCA 45-8-205(2), 'Display or dissemination of obscene material to minors' means material whose dominant theme appeals to a minor's prurient interest in sex; depicts sexual conduct or sadomasochistic abuse in a manner patently offensive to contemporary adult community standards for minors; and lacks serious literary, scientific, artistic, or political value for minors (with an exception if material has value for a significant percentage of normal older minors).",
      "body": "Under MCA 45-8-205(2), 'Display or dissemination of obscene material to minors' means material whose dominant theme appeals to a minor's prurient interest in sex; depicts sexual conduct or sadomasochistic abuse in a manner patently offensive to contemporary adult community standards for minors; and lacks serious literary, scientific, artistic, or political value for minors (with an exception if material has value for a significant percentage of normal older minors).\n\nWhat Montana Legislature actually says:\n\n“(2) \"Display or dissemination of obscene material to minors\" means that quality of a description, exhibition, presentation, or representation, in whatever form, of sexual conduct or sadomasochistic abuse when the material or performance, taken as a whole, has the following characteristics:\n\n(a) its dominant theme appeals to a minor's prurient interest in sex;\n\n(b) it depicts or describes sexual conduct or sadomasochistic abuse in a manner that is patently offensive to contemporary standards in the adult community with respect to what is suitable for minors; and\n\n(c) it lacks serious literary, scientific, artistic, or political value for minors. If the court finds that the material or performance has serious literary, scientific, artistic, or political value for a significant percentage of normal older minors, the material or performance may not be found to lack such value for the entire class of minors.”\n\nNote: This is the 'harmful to minors' definition used in the separate offense at 45-8-206. It differs from the general obscenity definition at 45-8-201(2) by using a 'minor's prurient interest' standard and 'contemporary standards in the adult community with respect to what is suitable for minors'.",
      "source_type": "official",
      "source_link": "https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0450/chapter_0080/part_0020/section_0050/0450-0080-0020-0050.html",
      "last_verified": "2026-10-11",
      "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE",
      "source_tier": "A",
      "source_publisher": "Montana Legislature",
      "evidence_quote": "(2) \"Display or dissemination of obscene material to minors\" means that quality of a description, exhibition, presentation, or representation, in whatever form, of sexual conduct or sadomasochistic abuse when the material or performance, taken as a whole, has the following characteristics:\n\n(a) its dominant theme appeals to a minor's prurient interest in sex;\n\n(b) it depicts or describes sexual conduct or sadomasochistic abuse in a manner that is patently offensive to contemporary standards in the adult community with respect to what is suitable for minors; and\n\n(c) it lacks serious literary, scientific, artistic, or political value for minors. If the court finds that the material or performance has serious literary, scientific, artistic, or political value for a significant percentage of normal older minors, the material or performance may not be found to lack such value for the entire class of minors.",
      "volatility": "low",
      "from_batch": "684-montana-obscenity-and-distribution",
      "subject": "Montana Code Annotated 45-8-205",
      "topic": "harmful to minors definition",
      "applies_to_country": "us",
      "applies_to_scope": "Montana state law only",
      "tags": {
        "lane": "any",
        "stage": "choosing",
        "region": [
          "us-mt"
        ],
        "platform": "any",
        "topic": [
          "safety.legal"
        ],
        "explicitness": "any"
      },
      "verification": {
        "status": "unverified",
        "label": "Unverified - being checked",
        "reasons": [
          "legal_fetch_over_cap"
        ],
        "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "learn_r684_montana_obscenity_and_distribution_684_montana_harmful_to_minors_offense",
      "category": "Safety",
      "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Montana Code Annotated 45-8-206: public display or dissemination of obscene material to minors offense",
      "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Under MCA 45-8-206(1), a person with custody/control/supervision of a commercial establishment or newsstand may not knowingly or purposely: (a) display obscene material to minors where minors can view it (unless kept behind blinder racks or other reasonable efforts to prevent minor view); (b) sell/furnish/present/distribute/disseminate obscene material to a minor or allow a minor to view it; or (c) present/participate in presenting an obscene performance to a minor.",
      "body": "Under MCA 45-8-206(1), a person with custody/control/supervision of a commercial establishment or newsstand may not knowingly or purposely: (a) display obscene material to minors where minors can view it (unless kept behind blinder racks or other reasonable efforts to prevent minor view); (b) sell/furnish/present/distribute/disseminate obscene material to a minor or allow a minor to view it; or (c) present/participate in presenting an obscene performance to a minor.\n\nWhat Montana Legislature actually says:\n\n“(1) A person having custody, control, or supervision of a commercial establishment or newsstand may not knowingly or purposely:\n\n(a) display obscene material to minors in such a way that minors, as a part of the invited public, will be able to view the material. However, a person is considered not to have displayed obscene material to minors if the material is kept behind devices commonly known as blinder racks so that the lower two-thirds of the material is not exposed to view or other reasonable efforts were made to prevent view of the material by a minor.\n\n(b) sell, furnish, present, distribute, or otherwise disseminate to a minor or allow a minor to view, with or without consideration, any obscene material; or\n\n(c) present to a minor or participate in presenting to a minor, with or without consideration, any performance that is obscene to minors.”\n\nNote: This offense applies specifically to commercial establishments and newsstands. The definition of 'obscene material to minors' is in 45-8-205(2). This is a separate offense from the general obscenity offense in 45-8-201.",
      "source_type": "official",
      "source_link": "https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0450/chapter_0080/part_0020/section_0060/0450-0080-0020-0060.html",
      "last_verified": "2026-10-11",
      "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE",
      "source_tier": "A",
      "source_publisher": "Montana Legislature",
      "evidence_quote": "(1) A person having custody, control, or supervision of a commercial establishment or newsstand may not knowingly or purposely:\n\n(a) display obscene material to minors in such a way that minors, as a part of the invited public, will be able to view the material. However, a person is considered not to have displayed obscene material to minors if the material is kept behind devices commonly known as blinder racks so that the lower two-thirds of the material is not exposed to view or other reasonable efforts were made to prevent view of the material by a minor.\n\n(b) sell, furnish, present, distribute, or otherwise disseminate to a minor or allow a minor to view, with or without consideration, any obscene material; or\n\n(c) present to a minor or participate in presenting to a minor, with or without consideration, any performance that is obscene to minors.",
      "volatility": "low",
      "from_batch": "684-montana-obscenity-and-distribution",
      "subject": "Montana Code Annotated 45-8-206",
      "topic": "public display or dissemination of obscene material to minors offense",
      "applies_to_country": "us",
      "applies_to_scope": "Montana state law only",
      "tags": {
        "lane": "any",
        "stage": "trouble",
        "region": [
          "us-mt"
        ],
        "platform": "any",
        "topic": [
          "safety.legal"
        ],
        "explicitness": "any"
      },
      "verification": {
        "status": "unverified",
        "label": "Unverified - being checked",
        "reasons": [
          "legal_fetch_over_cap"
        ],
        "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "learn_r684_montana_obscenity_and_distribution_684_montana_harmful_to_minors_penalty",
      "category": "Safety",
      "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Montana Code Annotated 45-8-208: penalty for display/dissemination of obscene material to minors",
      "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Under MCA 45-8-208(1), a person convicted of violating 45-8-206 is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be fined up to $500 or imprisoned for up to 6 months, or both.",
      "body": "Under MCA 45-8-208(1), a person convicted of violating 45-8-206 is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be fined up to $500 or imprisoned for up to 6 months, or both.\n\nWhat Montana Legislature actually says:\n\n“(1) A person who is convicted of violating 45-8-206 is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be fined an amount not to exceed $500 or be imprisoned for a term not to exceed 6 months, or both.”\n\nNote: The penalty for 45-8-206 violation is a misdemeanor with max fine $500 and/or up to 6 months imprisonment. Multiple copies of same material constitute a single offense per 45-8-208(2).",
      "source_type": "official",
      "source_link": "https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0450/chapter_0080/part_0020/section_0080/0450-0080-0020-0080.html",
      "last_verified": "2026-10-11",
      "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE",
      "source_tier": "A",
      "source_publisher": "Montana Legislature",
      "evidence_quote": "(1) A person who is convicted of violating 45-8-206 is guilty of a misdemeanor and may be fined an amount not to exceed $500 or be imprisoned for a term not to exceed 6 months, or both.",
      "volatility": "low",
      "from_batch": "684-montana-obscenity-and-distribution",
      "subject": "Montana Code Annotated 45-8-208",
      "topic": "penalty for display/dissemination of obscene material to minors",
      "applies_to_country": "us",
      "applies_to_scope": "Montana state law only",
      "tags": {
        "lane": "any",
        "stage": "trouble",
        "region": [
          "us-mt"
        ],
        "platform": "any",
        "topic": [
          "safety.legal",
          "money.fees"
        ],
        "explicitness": "any"
      },
      "verification": {
        "status": "unverified",
        "label": "Unverified - being checked",
        "reasons": [
          "legal_fetch_over_cap"
        ],
        "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "learn_r684_montana_obscenity_and_distribution_684_montana_online_sales_to_adults",
      "category": "Safety",
      "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Montana Code Annotated 45-8-201 and 45-8-206: whether statutes reach online sales to adults 18+",
      "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] The Montana obscenity statute (45-8-201) and harmful-to-minors statute (45-8-206) only criminalize distribution or dissemination of obscene material to persons under 18 years of age. Neither statute criminalizes the sale or distribution of obscene material to adults 18 years of age or older, including through online sales.",
      "body": "The Montana obscenity statute (45-8-201) and harmful-to-minors statute (45-8-206) only criminalize distribution or dissemination of obscene material to persons under 18 years of age. Neither statute criminalizes the sale or distribution of obscene material to adults 18 years of age or older, including through online sales.\n\nWhat Montana Legislature actually says:\n\n“(1) A person commits the offense of obscenity when, with knowledge of the obscene nature of the material, the person purposely or knowingly:\n\n(a) sells, delivers, or provides or offers or agrees to sell, deliver, or provide any obscene writing, picture, record, or other representation or embodiment of the obscene to anyone under 18 years of age or a person, including a law enforcement officer using an undercover or fictitious identity, whom the offender believes to be under 18 years of age;”\n\nNote: Both 45-8-201 and 45-8-206 exclusively target distribution to minors (under 18). All enumerated acts in 45-8-201(1)(a)-(f) specify 'to anyone under 18 years of age' or similar language. 45-8-206 applies to commercial establishments/newsstands and specifies 'to a minor' (defined as under 18 in 45-8-205(4)). No provision criminalizes distribution to adults 18+.",
      "source_type": "official",
      "source_link": "https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0450/chapter_0080/part_0020/section_0010/0450-0080-0020-0010.html",
      "last_verified": "2026-10-11",
      "reliability": "VERIFIED RULE",
      "source_tier": "A",
      "source_publisher": "Montana Legislature",
      "evidence_quote": "(1) A person commits the offense of obscenity when, with knowledge of the obscene nature of the material, the person purposely or knowingly:\n\n(a) sells, delivers, or provides or offers or agrees to sell, deliver, or provide any obscene writing, picture, record, or other representation or embodiment of the obscene to anyone under 18 years of age or a person, including a law enforcement officer using an undercover or fictitious identity, whom the offender believes to be under 18 years of age;",
      "volatility": "low",
      "from_batch": "684-montana-obscenity-and-distribution",
      "subject": "Montana Code Annotated 45-8-201 and 45-8-206",
      "topic": "whether statutes reach online sales to adults 18+",
      "applies_to_country": "us",
      "applies_to_scope": "Montana state law only",
      "tags": {
        "lane": "any",
        "stage": "choosing",
        "region": [
          "us-mt"
        ],
        "platform": "any",
        "topic": [
          "safety.legal",
          "access.geo"
        ],
        "explicitness": "any"
      },
      "verification": {
        "status": "unverified",
        "label": "Unverified - being checked",
        "reasons": [
          "legal_fetch_over_cap"
        ],
        "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z"
      }
    }
  ]
}