![Cities Seek Revival of Public Intoxication Bill](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2015/10/beer-630x4721.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Cities Seek Revival of Public Intoxication Bill
Billings and Missoula officials are renewing their call to state lawmakers to allow them to criminalize public intoxication.
City officials asked a legislative panel Wednesday to revive a failed bill that would have lifted a prohibition on local governments from creating public-intoxication ordinances.
The state policy behind that prohibition says people should offered treatment, not be prosecuted because they are drunk.
Billings police chief Rich St John says the aim is to use a public-intoxication ordinance as leverage to convince more repeat offenders to seek treatment.
He says it will build on a new program in Billings that gives offenders a choice between treatment and a citation.
Missoula deputy city attorney Keithi Worthington says Missoula supports reviving the bill, though the city is behind Billings in its treatment options.
More From Newstalk KGVO 1290 AM & 98.3 FM
![Montana Rated Worst in US for Lack of Cyberbullying Legislation](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2021/10/attachment-RS23740_GettyImages-996136440-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Suspected Drunk Driver Flees From Police With Two Kids in the Car](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2021/09/attachment-featured-image-451.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Man Assaulted His Wife With a Mug and Threatened Missoula Police](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2021/07/attachment-hayes.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![AG Tim Fox on KGVO’s Talk Back Discusses his Run for Governor](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2019/07/Tim-Fox-2019.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Gianforte Introduces Legislation to Help Combat Illegal Robocalls In Montana](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2019/05/GettyImages-687778650.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Airline Ticket Prices Could Increase if Jet Fuel Tax Bill Passes In Montana](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2019/03/GettyImages-912360406.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Fast Food Employee Reports Drunk Driver, Missoula Police Make DUI Arrest](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2019/01/featured-image-1.png?w=980&q=75)
![Montana Attorney General Supports Passage of Child Pornography Victim Bill](http://townsquare.media/site/119/files/2017/12/Tim-Fox-AG.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![The Drunkest City in Montana is…](http://townsquare.media/site/437/files/2012/04/drinks2.jpg?w=980&q=75)