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MT SB249

Bill

Status

Passed

4/16/2025

Primary Sponsor

Dennis Lenz

Click for details

Origin

Senate

2025 Regular Session

AI Summary

  • Expands court authority to hear evidence from individuals caring for a child in all abuse and neglect adjudication cases, removing the previous limitation that applied only to abandonment cases
  • Requires courts to accept evidence regarding the extent to which a child has been cared for, nurtured, or supported by someone other than the parents
  • Mandates courts consider evidence about parental intent, continuity of care provided, and circumstances when a child was placed with another person
  • Allows consideration of whether a parent was previously prevented from retrieving a child due to a protective order or partner/family assault conviction
  • Effective immediately upon passage and approval

Legislative Description

Revise child abuse and neglect laws involving adjudication

Judges and Justices

Last Action

Chapter Number Assigned

4/17/2025

Committee Referrals

Human Services2/22/2025
Public Health, Welfare, and Safety2/5/2025

Full Bill Text

No bill text available