From your State Senate: with Sen. Jennifer Fielder

It was quite an honor to be sworn into office at the state capitol on January 7. I do not take the responsibility lightly. I’m in Helena now, working 6 days a week, often 12-14 hours a day and I’m fully committed to honoring my oath to serve you well. I have been appointed to three senate committees: Natural Resources, Judiciary, and Fish & Game.  

Child Abuse: The most compelling testimony I heard last week came from two elderly women who plotted to take the law in their own hands to save a little girl.

The two year old girl, October Perez, was being violently abused. Her grandmother and great aunt reported it to authorities, but state law prevented these family members from finding out if the abuse was being investigated, or if anything was being done. Despite multiple reports to authorities over the next few months, the abuse continued. Desperate, October’s grandmother and great aunt plotted to kidnap her. But they were too late. October remained in the abusive situation and lost her life just six months after the first report.  

Knowing the system had failed them all, October’s grandmother and great aunt set to work to change it.  Last week they testified before the Senate Judiciary committee in favor of SB 65, a law which will allow people who report child abuse to verify whether or not the report has been received, the level of response, and time frame for action. Concerned family members and mandatory reporters, like school teachers, will be able to follow up with agency personnel to find out if anything is being done. It is not expected to cost any additional expense because the law merely expands the list of those eligible to obtain information from the record. I am supporting this bill.

Confidentiality of Concealed Weapons Permits: Another important bill being considered in Judiciary is SB 37 which will allow law enforcement to keep personal information of concealed weapons permit holders confidential. Since the names and addresses of hand gun owners were published in a New York newspaper last month, several gun owners homes have been targeted by burglars who wait until no one is home then break in to look for guns. As a result, guns are falling into the hands of criminals.  I support the law abiding citizens’ right to privacy and will support SB 37 or similar legislation to keep concealed weapons permit information confidential in the County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association supports this bill also.     

Transplanting Wildlife: One of the most debated bills heard by Senate Fish & Game is a proposal to establish strict criteria for the transplantation of mountain sheep. If passed, Senate Bill 83 will greatly increase public involvement prior to locating sheep in areas where private property or other existing land uses conflict with wild sheep herds. The additional criteria is intended to improve the success of big horn sheep transplant projects and avoid future conflict by requiring wildlife agencies to be more respectful of private property rights and coordinate directly with county government early in the planning process.

I support giving local government and affected land owners better opportunities to be involved in the wildlife management decisions that directly affect them. The extra steps of SB 83 will benefit wildlife and humans by carefully assessing potential conflicts and preventing spread of disease and traffic fatalities  such as those we have been seeing along Highway 200 east of Thompson Falls where collisions have killed scores of sheep and placed human life at risk as well.   

To offer your opinion: I do appreciate hearing from you. Please be specific on why you believe I should support or oppose certain legislation. The best way to reach me is the Capitol message service at 444-4800 or email sen.jfielder@legmt.gov