SB 402 Montana Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Provide for case determinations of investigations of reported child abuse or neglect

SB 402 amends Section 41-3-102 of Montana law, which outlines definitions related to child welfare. The bill introduces specific definitions for the outcomes of investigations into reported child abuse or neglect cases. These new definitions categorize findings as "substantiated," "unsubstantiated," or "unfounded." This provides clear and standardized terminology for the Department of Public Health and Human Services when making case determinations in child abuse or neglect investigations, affecting families involved in such reports.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
May 2025
Introduced Feb 21, 2025 Signed May 13, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB0402_1(4).pdf SB0402_X.pdf · 3 edits
MINOR
The bill was finalized and enacted into law, transitioning from a draft version to an enrolled bill. The substantive text of the definitions for child abuse and neglect remains unchanged, but the formatting was corrected to align with standard legislative style, including the addition of 'MCA' references and proper indentation.
Scope change
No change in the scope or applicability of the law; the content defines terms for child abuse investigations but the specific wording is identical to the draft.
TECHNICAL

Corrected formatting, indentation, and line breaks throughout the document to match standard enrolled bill requirements.

Added 'MCA' (Montana Code Annotated) references to clarify the legal citation for the amended section.

Removed draft markers (e.g., 'SB 402.1') and replaced them with the final 'ENROLLED BILL' status.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 6, 2025 · House Apr 11, 2025

How they voted

437
Passed
Total votes 50
Mar 6, 2025
D Democratic18
11 Yea 7 Nay
61% Yea
R Republican32
32 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
39
Key actions
9
Committee
6
May 8, 2025
Signed into law
(S) Signed by Governor
upper
Apr 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Signed by Speaker
lower
Apr 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Signed by President
upper
Apr 11, 2025
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (90-9-1)
house
Apr 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Report - (H) Judiciary
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Judiciary
lower
Mar 7, 2025
Committee
(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Judiciary
lower
Mar 6, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (43-7)
senate
Mar 1, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Report - (S) Public Health, Welfare and Safety
upper
Mar 1, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Public Health, Welfare and Safety
upper
Feb 21, 2025
Committee
(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Public Health, Welfare and Safety
upper
Feb 21, 2025
Introduced
(S) Introduced
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Dennis Lenz
Dennis Lenz
RRepublican
MT
25