SB 230 revises Montana's standards for emergency protective services in child abuse and neglect cases. It clarifies when child protective services may immediately remove a child (based on safety assessments) and updates reporting rules for sexual abuse allegations - specifically allowing confidentiality agreements with certain victim service providers if the victim is 14+ and seeking confidential care. The bill also sets new record-keeping requirements: safety assessments must be kept for 25 years unless destroyed within 30 days after a 3-year period, with exceptions for cases involving confirmed abuse or prior reports. This bill directly affects child protective services workers, county attorneys, and families involved in abuse/neglect investigations. (Note: The bill was tabled and died in process in May 2025.)
SB 231 requires Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) to attach specific documents to its affidavits in child abuse and neglect cases. The bill mandates that DPHHS include criminal case disposition details for any referenced offenses and obtain law enforcement reports involving adults named in the petition. This applies to all cases where DPHHS files an affidavit under Montana law (amending Sections 41-3-422 and 41-3-437, MCA). The change directly affects DPHHS staff preparing affidavits and families involved in child welfare proceedings where criminal matters intersect. The bill was tabled in committee and died in process in May 2025.
SB 49 would have protected Montana attorneys serving as constitutional officers (Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Superintendent of Public Instruction) or state legislators from professional disciplinary actions for conduct related to their official duties during their term. It prohibits judicial officers from starting or continuing disciplinary proceedings against these attorneys for actions taken while in office that could deter, retaliate against, or prevent the exercise of constitutional rights like free speech or due process. The bill included exceptions for courtroom behavior disrupting proceedings and would have applied retroactively to disciplinary cases since January 2024. However, the bill died in the Senate committee on May 23, 2025, and did not become law.
SB 151 requires Montana's Public Defender Office to establish two specialized legal teams: one for representing parents, guardians, and legal custodians in family-related legal matters, and another for providing independent legal counsel to children in abuse and neglect cases. Each team must include a managing attorney and follow specific standards for child-centered representation, including trauma-informed communication, regular contact with minors, and specialized training on child development and case dynamics. The bill amends existing law to mandate these units under the director's authority, focusing on improving legal support for vulnerable families and children within the current public defender structure. It directly affects families navigating child welfare proceedings and children involved in court cases concerning abuse or neglect.
SB 28 extends Montana's grace period for titling and registering vehicles after a transfer from 40 to 60 days. It directly affects new vehicle owners who must complete title applications and registration within this timeframe. The bill amends sections of Montana law to change "40-day" to "60-day" for the grace period under titling requirements (Section 61-3-218), registration deadlines (Section 61-3-220), and new registration rules (Section 61-3-317). It also extends the expiration date for temporary registration permits to 60 days. The change simplifies compliance by giving owners more time to fulfill these administrative requirements.
SB 15 (Montana Senate Bill 15) would amend Montana law to expand the grounds for impeaching state officials. It adds "misdemeanors" and "malfeasance in corruption" to the existing list of impeachable offenses, which previously covered only felonies and some other misconduct like negligence or willful neglect. This change directly affects Montana's governor, executive officers, department heads, and judicial officers, making specific misdemeanors and corruption-related actions grounds for impeachment. The bill did not pass, failing its third reading in the House on March 28, 2025.
SB 13 would change Montana law by removing the Montana Supreme Court's direct authority to review ballot measure challenges, shifting this responsibility to district courts. The bill specifically targets disputes over ballot statements approved by the Attorney General or the legal sufficiency of petitions, directing these cases to be filed in district court instead of the Supreme Court. Key provisions include amending Section 13-27-605 to establish district court as the initial review venue and repealing Section 3-2-202, which previously granted the Supreme Court original jurisdiction over such matters. This change affects voters, petitioners, and opponents challenging ballot language before elections, requiring them to seek review in district court rather than the Supreme Court. The bill would take immediate effect upon passage.
SB 21 would allow Montana's legislative leaders (Senate President or House Speaker) and executive leaders (Governor or Attorney General) to jointly file a request to vacate a court-issued writ of mandamus targeting specific elected officials. The bill applies only to officials listed in Montana's Constitution (e.g., legislators, the legislature, or other constitutional officers) and requires this joint filing within 10 business days of the court order. If filed, the writ would be voided and the official could not face contempt charges for noncompliance. This bill died in committee on May 23, 2025, and never became law.
HB 848 aimed to provide dedicated funding for regional rail authorities in the state. The bill proposed creating a "Big Sky Rail Account" within the state special revenue fund, which would receive a portion of rental car sales and use tax proceeds. The Department of Transportation would then annually distribute these funds to eligible regional rail authorities. These authorities could use the money for administrative costs, matching federal grants, fostering partnerships, and planning, developing, and operating rail projects and services, such as enhancing safety, improving stations, and exploring new train routes.
House Joint Resolution 63 (HJ 63) requested an interim study to explore ways to improve early literacy and numeracy for schoolchildren in Montana. The study aimed to involve collaboration with various educational groups, parents, and national experts to develop a better understanding of evidence-based curriculum and instruction for children aged 4 through 3rd grade. It also sought to examine the impact of early literacy and numeracy initiatives, including parental involvement, and improve assessment and data systems. The final results of this study were intended to be reported to the 70th Legislature.
House Joint Resolution 75 (HJ 75) requested an interim study of the Montana State Hospital and related patient-focused issues. The study aimed to explore ways to refurbish the hospital to focus on forensic and serious civil commitments, and identify how to increase community support for patients transitioning out of the facility. It also sought to assess existing community programs, identify new support needs, and explore alternatives for court-ordered fitness evaluations outside the hospital. The study would project bed space needs at the hospital versus the cost of developing community-based alternatives, with its final results to be reported to the 70th Legislature.
HB 856 would change Montana law to define when a state or local office becomes vacant due to an incumbent's absence. Specifically, it extends the period an officeholder must be absent without permission before the office is considered vacant - from 3 months to 34 consecutive months (as written in the bill text). This affects state legislators, county officials, and other elected or appointed officeholders who miss duties. The bill also includes a $100 appropriation for legislative services to monitor vacancies and applies retroactively to vacancies starting January 1, 2025. (Note: The bill failed its third reading and died in process on May 22, 2025.)
