Montana legislation · 2025 Regular Session
Montana SB249: Revise child abuse and neglect laws involving adjudication
Status: Signed into law, April 17, 2025
What the bill says
An act revising child abuse and neglect laws involving adjudication; requiring that a court hear additional evidence from individuals caring for a child; amending section 41-3-437, mca; and providing an immediate effective date.
From the engrossed text:
AN ACT REVISING CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT LAWS INVOLVING ADJUDICATION; REQUIRING THAT A COURT HEAR ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE FROM INDIVIDUALS CARING FOR A CHILD; AMENDING SECTION 41-3-437, MCA; AND PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE. Section 1. Section 41-3-437, MCA, is amended to read: "41-3-437. (Temporary) Adjudication -- temporary disposition -- findings -- order. (1) Upon the filing of an appropriate petition, an adjudicatory hearing must be held within 90 days of a show cause hearing under 41-3-432. Adjudication may take place at the show cause hearing if the requirements of subsection (2) are met or may be made by prior stipulation of the parties pursuant to 41-3-434 and order of the court. Exceptions to the time limit may be allowed only in cases involving newly discovered evidence, unavoidable delays, stipulation by the parties pursuant to 41-3-434, and unforeseen personal emergencies. (2) The court may make an adjudication on a petition under 41-3-422 if the court determines by a preponderance of the evidence, except as provided in the federal Indian Child Welfare Act or the Montana Indian Child Welfare Act provided for in Title 41, chapter 3, part 13, if applicable, that the child is a youth in need of care. Except as otherwise provided in this part, the Montana Rules of Civil Procedure and the Montana Rules of Evidence apply to …
Sponsors
- Lenz, Dennis (R, 25) · primary sponsor
- Moore, Valerie (R, 29)
Latest actions
- : Chapter Number Assigned
- : (S) Signed by Governor
- : (H) Signed by Speaker
- : (S) Transmitted to Governor
- : (S) Signed by President
- : (S) Returned from Enrolling
- : (S) Sent to Enrolling
- : (H) 3rd Reading
- : (H) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
- : (H) 2nd Reading
Votes
- Do Concur (March 28, 2025): 61 yea, 38 nay, passed
- Do Concur (March 27, 2025): 62 yea, 37 nay, passed
- Do Pass (February 21, 2025): 50 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Do Pass (February 20, 2025): 50 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Minors, Courts, Family Law, Evidence
Common questions
- What is SB249?
- SB249 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Revise child abuse and neglect laws involving adjudication.
- What does SB249 do?
- In its own words: An act revising child abuse and neglect laws involving adjudication; requiring that a court hear additional evidence from individuals caring for a child; amending section 41-3-437, mca; and providing an immediate effective date.
- What is the status of SB249?
- Signed into law as of April 17, 2025. Latest action: Chapter Number Assigned (April 17, 2025).
- Who sponsored SB249?
- Lenz, Dennis (R, 25), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for SB249?
- On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC0487
Source: official Montana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.