Montana legislation · 2025 Regular Session
Montana SB318: Generally revise child custody laws
Status: Failed, May 23, 2025
What the bill says
A bill for an act establishing child abuse and domestic violence training requirements for judges, standing masters, and guardians ad litem in child custody proceedings; providing for consideration of domestic violence and child abuse in child custody proceedings; revising the rights of children in child custody proceedings; providing definitions; superseding the unfunded mandate laws; amending sections 31-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, and 40-4-227, mca; and providing effective dates.".
From the engrossed text:
A BILL FOR AN ACT ESTABLISHING CHILD ABUSE AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR JUDGES, STANDING MASTERS, AND GUARDIANS AD LITEM IN CHILD CUSTODY PROCEEDINGS; PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND CHILD ABUSE IN CHILD CUSTODY PROCEEDINGS; REVISING THE RIGHTS OF CHILDREN IN CHILD CUSTODY PROCEEDINGS; PROVIDING DEFINITIONS; SUPERSEDING THE UNFUNDED MANDATE LAWS; AMENDING SECTIONS 31-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, AND 40-4-227, MCA; AND PROVIDING EFFECTIVE DATES." WHEREAS, as Montanans we see the streams, mountains, minerals, and land as our best resource, but it is the children of Montana that are our most valuable resource. Protecting our children is the most important thing we can do for our future; and WHEREAS, as Montanans we declare the family unit as sacred and support and preserve the family as the single most powerful influence for ensuring the healthy social development and mental and physical wellbeing of Montana's children; and WHEREAS, as Montanans we recognize that Montana children have a constitutional right to speak their truth and be respected as individual citizens with rights to safety, security, and freedom from domestic violence. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA: NEW SECTION. Section 1. Purpose. The purpose of [sections 1 and 2] is (2) strengthen the ability of courts to: (a) recognize and adjudicate domestic violence and child abuse …
Sponsors
- Lenz, Dennis (R, 25) · primary sponsor
- Sooktis, Jade (D, 41)
Latest actions
- : (S) Died in Process
- : (H) Reconsidered Previous Action; Placed on 2nd Reading
- : (H) Reconsidered Previous Action
- : (H) 2nd Reading
- : (H) Committee Report--Bill Concurred
- : (H) Committee Report
- : (H) Committee Executive Action
- : (H) First Reading
- : (H) 1st Reading
- : (S) Transmitted to House
Votes
- ReconsAction - Etchart (April 22, 2025): 45 yea, 54 nay, failed
- Do Concur (April 22, 2025): 46 yea, 53 nay, failed
- Do Pass (March 20, 2025): 47 yea, 3 nay, passed
- Do Pass (March 3, 2025): 41 yea, 9 nay, passed
Subjects: Judges and Justices, Social Services, Minors, Courts, Family Law
Common questions
- What is SB318?
- SB318 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Generally revise child custody laws.
- What does SB318 do?
- In its own words: A bill for an act establishing child abuse and domestic violence training requirements for judges, standing masters, and guardians ad litem in child custody proceedings; providing for consideration of domestic violence and child abuse in child custody proceedings; revising the rights of children in child custody proceedings; providing definitions; superseding the unfunded mandate laws; amending sections 31-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, and 40-4-227, mca; and providing effective dates.".
- What is the status of SB318?
- Failed as of May 23, 2025. Latest action: (S) Died in Process (May 23, 2025).
- Who sponsored SB318?
- Lenz, Dennis (R, 25), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for SB318?
- On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC0931
Source: official Montana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.