Maddy summarySB 379 would require Montana state agencies to create written consultation plans with tribal governments, designate a staff member as a tribal liaison, and submit annual reports on tribal engagement. It affects all state departments listed in the bill (including Natural Resources, Health, and Transportation) and all federally recognized tribes in Montana. Key provisions include deadlines for agencies to develop consultation policies by July 1, 2026, designate liaisons who must undergo cultural competency training, and report annually on how tribal input influenced agency decisions. The bill also mandates annual training for agency staff on tribal relations and requires the governor to share a summary report with tribes each year. The bill died in the legislature on May 23, 2025, and is not currently law.
Sponsored bills
Maddy summarySB 219 would have amended Montana's Board of Housing composition to require at least one member to be an enrolled tribal member of a federally recognized Montana tribe and one member to be a veteran of the U.S. armed forces. This change would directly affect the seven-member Board of Housing, which oversees housing programs and allocations. The bill proposed adding these specific representation requirements to Section 2-15-1814 of Montana Code Annotated, replacing the current language about "at least one" tribal member and veteran with explicit mandatory positions. The bill died in committee on May 23, 2025, and did not become law.
Maddy summarySB 378 establishes a Tribal Relations Management Team within Montana's Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS), creating two specific roles: a Tribal Relations Manager and a Director of American Indian Health. The Tribal Relations Manager coordinates government-to-government consultations with tribal governments, facilitates policy development with tribes, and prepares annual reports to the governor. The Director of American Indian Health identifies health disparities between tribal and non-tribal populations and develops strategies to improve health equity. This bill directly affects DPHHS operations and tribal governments by mandating structured collaboration on health programs and reporting.
Maddy summarySB 180 revises Montana law for custody and adoption cases by expanding the factors courts must consider when determining a child's "best interests." It adds specific requirements to evaluate parents' failure to pay birth costs or child support, prohibits courts from basing decisions solely on a parent's military service, and mandates consideration of a child's cultural, religious, and heritage needs - including Indian heritage regardless of tribal enrollment or blood quantum. The bill also updates adoption proceedings to require courts to assess a child's heritage needs and the nature of relationships with prospective adoptive parents. These changes apply to both custody cases under Section 40-4-212 and adoption cases under Section 42-5-107.
Maddy summarySenate Bill 107 revises education laws to incorporate human trafficking prevention. It establishes a new legislative goal for Montana's public elementary and secondary schools to support instruction on preventing and avoiding child sex trafficking and human trafficking. The bill also requires the Office of Public Instruction to undertake activities to educate Montanans and prevent these issues. These activities include providing educational resources, coordinating with law enforcement, and assisting school districts in developing policies and curricula.