MT SB465

Replaces references to "guardian ad litem" with "special advocate" throughout Montana child welfare statutes, defining a special advocate as a trained volunteer appointed by the court to advocate for children in the child welfare system

Prohibits funds from the court-appointed special advocate account (funded by fees collected under 3-1-318) from being used to pay attorneys appointed to serve as paid special advocates

Allows judges to appoint attorneys as special advocates when volunteer special advocates are unavailable, but these attorneys must be paid through public expense rather than the CASA account

Removes the previous provision allowing guardian ad litem attorneys to file motions and assert children's rights, limiting special advocates to non-legal advocacy functions such as investigating, observing children, accessing records, and making recommendations to the court

Amends 11 Montana Code Annotated sections (3-1-707, 41-3-102, 41-3-108, 41-3-112, 41-3-115, 41-3-201, 41-3-205, 41-3-425, 41-3-607, 41-3-1010, and 41-3-1012) to implement these terminology and funding changes