MT SB259

Replaces the standard for emergency child removal from "immediate or apparent danger of harm" to "imminent danger," defined as certain, immediate, and impending danger where death or serious injury is highly probable

Requires child protective services and law enforcement to make reasonable efforts to prevent removal and obtain an ex parte court order before removing a child when imminent danger is not present

Mandates that law enforcement provide body camera footage to the judge and family by the initial hearing when involved in a child's removal, to prove that delay would have jeopardized the child's safety

Specifies that a parent's disability, parenting skills that may be considered neglect, or a positive drug test alone do not constitute imminent danger absent other immediate safety concerns