Montana legislation · 2025 Regular Session
Montana SB139: Eliminate clergy exemption in mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect
Status: Failed, May 23, 2025
What the bill says
A bill for an act entitled: "an act eliminating the exemption for members of the clergy in the mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect; amending section 413-201, mca; and providing an immediate effective date.".
From the engrossed text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT ELIMINATING THE EXEMPTION FOR MEMBERS OF THE CLERGY IN THE MANDATORY REPORTING OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT; AMENDING SECTION 413-201, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE." BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA: Section 1. Section 41-3-201, MCA, is amended to read: "41-3-201. Reports. (1) When the professionals and officials listed in subsection (2) know or have reasonable cause to suspect, as a result of information they receive in their professional or official capacity, that a child is abused or neglected by anyone regardless of whether the person suspected of causing the abuse or neglect is a parent or other person responsible for the child's welfare, they shall report the matter promptly to the department. The department shall follow the provisions of 41-3-212 in taking the report. (2) Professionals and officials required to report are: (a) a physician, resident, intern, or member of a hospital's staff engaged in the admission, examination, care, or treatment of persons; (b) a nurse, osteopath, chiropractor, podiatrist, medical examiner, coroner, dentist, optometrist, or any other health or mental health professional; (c) religious healers; (d) school teachers, other school officials, and employees who work during regular school hours; (e) a social worker licensed pursuant to Title 37, child protection specialist, operator or employee …
Sponsors
- Dunwell, Mary Ann (D, 42) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : (S) Died in Process
- : (S) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal
- : (S) Tabled in Committee
- : (S) Hearing
- : (S) Referred to Committee
- : (S) 1st Reading
- : (S) Introduced
- : (LC) Draft Delivered to Requester
- : (LC) Draft Ready for Delivery
- : (LC) Draft in Assembly
Subjects: Crimes, Minors, Religion
Common questions
- What is SB139?
- SB139 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Eliminate clergy exemption in mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect.
- What does SB139 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act entitled: "an act eliminating the exemption for members of the clergy in the mandatory reporting of child abuse and neglect; amending section 413-201, mca; and providing an immediate effective date.".
- What is the status of SB139?
- Failed as of May 23, 2025. Latest action: (S) Died in Process (May 23, 2025).
- Who sponsored SB139?
- Dunwell, Mary Ann (D, 42).
- Where is the official record for SB139?
- On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC0700
Source: official Montana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.