Montana legislation · 2025 Regular Session
Montana SJ32: Study citizen's review board law for child protective service cases
Status: Failed, May 23, 2025
What the bill says
A joint resolution of the senate and the house of representatives of the state of montana requesting an interim study of citizen review boards for child and family services issues; and requiring that the final results of the study be reported to the 70th legislature.
From the engrossed text:
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA REQUESTING AN INTERIM STUDY OF CITIZEN REVIEW BOARDS FOR CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES ISSUES; AND REQUIRING THAT THE FINAL RESULTS OF THE STUDY BE REPORTED TO THE 70TH LEGISLATURE. WHEREAS, the 53rd Montana Legislature established the Citizen Review Board Program Act in 1993; and WHEREAS, after several years of successful pilot programs throughout the state, the 57th Montana Legislature made the program permanent and expanded it statewide; and WHEREAS, in 2003, the Legislature did not fund statewide expansion of citizen review boards; WHEREAS, citizens with lived experience of the child protection system have unique experiences and a special empathy for parents and children who are involved in dependent neglect and abuse cases; and WHEREAS, citizen review boards allow communities to ensure the child protection system fulfills its mission to protect children and strengthen families, while minimizing trauma caused by court involvement. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA: That the Legislative Council be requested to designate an appropriate interim committee or statutory committee, pursuant to section 5-5-217, MCA, or direct sufficient staff resources to examine how to revive the Citizen Review Board Program, (2) administrative needs; (3) coordination between city, county, tribal, and …
Sponsors
- Lenz, Dennis (R, 25) · primary sponsor
Latest actions
- : (H) Died in Committee
- : (H) Tabled in Committee
- : (H) Hearing
- : (H) 1st Reading
- : (H) Referred to Committee
- : (S) Transmitted to House
- : (S) 3rd Reading
- : (S) Scheduled for 3rd Reading
- : (S) 2nd Reading
- : (S) Scheduled for 2nd Reading
Votes
- Do Pass (April 24, 2025): 31 yea, 19 nay, passed
- Do Pass (April 23, 2025): 37 yea, 10 nay, passed
Subjects: Interim Study Bills, Minors, Family Law, Interim Study Resolutions
Common questions
- What is SJ32?
- SJ32 is a bill in the Montana Legislature (2025 Regular Session): Study citizen's review board law for child protective service cases.
- What does SJ32 do?
- In its own words: A joint resolution of the senate and the house of representatives of the state of montana requesting an interim study of citizen review boards for child and family services issues; and requiring that the final results of the study be reported to the 70th legislature.
- What is the status of SJ32?
- Failed as of May 23, 2025. Latest action: (H) Died in Committee (May 23, 2025).
- Who sponsored SJ32?
- Lenz, Dennis (R, 25).
- Where is the official record for SJ32?
- On the Montana Legislature website: https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC0503
Source: official Montana record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.