Montana Code Annotated
Part 12. Removal of Directors or Officers
32-2-1208. Felony charges -- suspension or prohibition

32-2-1208. Felony charges -- suspension or prohibition. (1) (a) If a board member, officer, or other person participating in the conduct of the affairs of an institution is charged in any information, indictment, warrant, or complaint authorized by a county, state, or federal authority with the commission of or participation in a felony involving dishonesty or breach of trust, the department by written notice served on the individual may suspend that individual from office or prohibit that individual from further participation in any manner in the conduct of the affairs of the institution. Suspension is effective upon service on the individual.
(b) The notice must contain a statement of the facts constituting grounds for the order and must fix a place and time, not later than 14 days from the date of the notice, at which a hearing will be held to afford the individual the opportunity to respond. A copy of the notice must also be served on the institution.
(c) The suspension or prohibition remains in effect until the information, indictment, warrant, or complaint is finally disposed of or until terminated by the commissioner.
(2) Within 14 days after the hearing provided for in subsection (1), the board member, officer, or other person may apply to the district court for the county in which the home office of the institution is located for a stay of the suspension or prohibition pending the completion of the criminal proceedings initiated by the information, indictment, warrant, or complaint. The court has jurisdiction to stay the suspension or prohibition.
(3) (a) If a judgment of conviction with respect to the offense is entered against the board member, officer, or other person and at the time that the judgment is not subject to further appellate review, the department may issue and serve on the individual an order removing that individual from office or prohibiting that individual from further participation in any manner in the conduct of the affairs of the institution except with the consent of the commissioner. A copy of the order must also be served on the institution, and upon receipt the board member or officer, if applicable, ceases to be a board member or officer of the institution.
(b) A finding of not guilty or other disposition of the charge does not preclude the department from instituting proceedings to suspend or remove the individual from office or to prohibit further participation in the affairs of the institution pursuant to 32-2-1205 and 32-2-1206.
History: En. Sec. 130, Ch. 431, L. 2021.

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