LC 1832 Legislature · 2025 Regular Session

Establish temporary hardship law

This bill allows Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services to temporarily remove children from their homes for up to 15 days when parents face temporary hardships like medical or legal issues that prevent them from providing safe care. The law requires the department to return children home within 15 days unless parents cannot resume care, at which point emergency protective services procedures may begin. The bill also clarifies definitions of child abuse and neglect, specifically excluding situations where parents cannot access publicly funded services as grounds for removal. These changes aim to provide clearer guidelines for temporary child removals while maintaining protections for families facing temporary challenges.
Bill status introduced 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Nov 2024
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Nov 22, 2024 Last action Feb 19, 2025
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