MT HJ23

Legislative Council requested to designate an interim committee to review and propose legislation simplifying the Montana Youth Court Act, which has been amended repeatedly since 1947 and now contains 13 parts with complex cross-references

Study must include input from county attorneys, court administrator, youth court services personnel, district court judges, youth probation officers, Office of the Public Defender, Department of Public Health and Human Services, and Department of Corrections

Proposed changes must remain consistent with existing legislative purposes in section 41-5-102, MCA, should not increase punishment of youth, and should focus primarily on procedural simplification

All aspects of the study must be concluded prior to September 15, 2026, with final results reported to the 70th Legislature