Montana legislation · 2025 Regular Session
Montana SB466: Establish factors when determining best interest of child
Status: Signed into law, May 13, 2025
What the bill says
An act establishing factors that must be considered when determining the best interests of a child.
From the engrossed text:
AN ACT ESTABLISHING FACTORS THAT MUST BE CONSIDERED WHEN DETERMINING THE BEST INTERESTS OF A CHILD. WHEREAS, children and minors are too often an afterthought in policymaking even though every aspect of government policy impacts kids, from health care to transportation. The government has no way to evaluate whether policies would be good or bad for children, and no unified standard to use for that evaluation; and WHEREAS, due to the age of children and minors and their dependency, maturity, and lack of mechanisms to make the case for their own interests and needs, children depend on adults in society and government to support their health and well-being; and WHEREAS, without a clear mandate to consider their needs, children will continue to be disregarded in policy decisions that impact their lives and well-being; and WHEREAS, a "best interests of the child" standard is the priority of policymaking that creates a benchmark through which all policies can be evaluated and would make positive outcomes for children. Section 1. Best interests of child -- factors to consider. (1) In any circumstance in which the best interests of a child must be determined, the following factors, to the extent they are present, must be considered but are not (b) the temperament and developmental needs of the child; (c) the capacity and the disposition …
Sponsors
- Lenz, Dennis (R, 25) · primary sponsor
- Kelly, Steven (R, 9)
Latest actions
- : Chapter Number Assigned
- : (S) Signed by Governor
- : (S) Transmitted to Governor
- : (H) Signed by Speaker
- : (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 (April 11, 2025): 99 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Do Concur (April 10, 2025): 99 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Do Pass (March 6, 2025): 49 yea, 0 nay, passed
- Do Pass (March 6, 2025): 50 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Minors, Courts, Family Law
Common questions
- What is SB466?
- SB466 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Establish factors when determining best interest of child.
- What does SB466 do?
- In its own words: An act establishing factors that must be considered when determining the best interests of a child.
- What is the status of SB466?
- Signed into law as of May 13, 2025. Latest action: Chapter Number Assigned (May 13, 2025).
- Who sponsored SB466?
- Lenz, Dennis (R, 25), with 1 co-sponsor.
- Where is the official record for SB466?
- On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC0482
Source: official Montana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.