45-6-104: Desecration of capitol, place of worship, cemetery, or public memorial.

(1) In this section, "capitol" means the Montana state capitol building and any permanent monuments on the capitol grounds.

(2) A person commits the offense of desecration if the person purposely:

(a) defiles or defaces the capitol or a place of worship, cemetery, or public memorial;

(b) places on or attaches to the capitol or a place of worship, cemetery, or public memorial any mark, design, or material not properly a part of the capitol, place of worship, cemetery, or public memorial; or

(c) injures, damages, or destroys any portion of the capitol or of a place of worship, cemetery, or public memorial.

(3) A person convicted of the offense of desecration shall be:

(a) incarcerated for any term not to exceed 6 months or be fined an amount not to exceed $500, or both, if the damage does not exceed $1,500; or

(b) imprisoned in the state prison for any term not to exceed 10 years or be fined an amount not to exceed $50,000, or both, if there is $1,500 or more of damage.

(4) With regard to the capitol, this section does not apply to displays or actions authorized by the department of administration.