The bill establishes the Montana Indian Child Welfare Act, which aims to provide a framework for determining Indian status and the relevant Indian tribe in child welfare cases. It outlines specific requirements for court proceedings, evidence, and consent related to the welfare of Indian children. The legislation also includes definitions pertinent to the act and amends numerous sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to align existing laws with the new provisions introduced by this act.

In addition to establishing new legal standards, the bill amends various sections of the MCA, including those related to child welfare and family law, to ensure consistency with the objectives of the Montana Indian Child Welfare Act. The amendments are designed to enhance the protection of Indian children and their families within the state's child welfare system, reflecting a commitment to uphold the rights and cultural integrity of Indian tribes in Montana. The bill also specifies effective dates and a termination date for its provisions.

Statutes affected:
HB0317_1.pdf: 40-6-405, 40-6-407, 40-6-413, 40-6-414, 40-6-1001, 40-7-135, 41-3-102, 41-3-103, 41-3-109, 41-3-128, 41-3-205, 41-3-301, 41-3-306, 41-3-307, 41-3-422, 41-3-423, 41-3-425, 41-3-427, 41-3-432, 41-3-437, 41-3-444, 41-3-609, 42-2-102, 42-2-604, 42-4-102, 42-4-103, 42-4-203, 42-4-209, 42-5-101, 42-5-107, 47-1-104, 52-2-117
HB0317_2.pdf: 40-6-405, 40-6-407, 40-6-413, 40-6-414, 40-6-1001, 40-7-135, 41-3-102, 41-3-103, 41-3-109, 41-3-128, 41-3-205, 41-3-301, 41-3-306, 41-3-307, 41-3-422, 41-3-423, 41-3-425, 41-3-427, 41-3-432, 41-3-437, 41-3-444, 41-3-609, 42-2-102, 42-2-604, 42-4-102, 42-4-103, 42-4-203, 42-4-209, 42-5-101, 42-5-107, 47-1-104, 52-2-117
HB0317_3.pdf: 40-6-405, 40-6-407, 40-6-413, 40-6-414, 40-6-1001, 40-7-135, 41-3-102, 41-3-103, 41-3-109, 41-3-128, 41-3-205, 41-3-301, 41-3-306, 41-3-307, 41-3-422, 41-3-423, 41-3-425, 41-3-427, 41-3-432, 41-3-437, 41-3-444, 41-3-609, 42-2-102, 42-2-604, 42-4-102, 42-4-103, 42-4-203, 42-4-209, 42-5-101, 42-5-107, 47-1-104, 52-2-117
HB0317_4.pdf: 40-6-405, 40-6-407, 40-6-413, 40-6-414, 40-6-1001, 40-7-135, 41-3-102, 41-3-103, 41-3-109, 41-3-128, 41-3-205, 41-3-301, 41-3-306, 41-3-307, 41-3-422, 41-3-423, 41-3-425, 41-3-427, 41-3-432, 41-3-437, 41-3-444, 41-3-609, 42-2-102, 42-2-604, 42-4-102, 42-4-103, 42-4-203, 42-4-209, 42-5-101, 42-5-107, 47-1-104, 52-2-117
Amended: 40-6-405, 40-6-407, 40-6-413, 40-6-414, 40-6-1001, 40-7-135, 41-3-102, 41-3-103, 41-3-109, 41-3-128, 41-3-205, 41-3-301, 41-3-306, 41-3-307, 41-3-422, 41-3-423, 41-3-425, 41-3-427, 41-3-432, 41-3-437, 41-3-444, 41-3-609, 42-2-102, 42-2-604, 42-4-102, 42-4-103, 42-4-203, 42-4-209, 42-5-101, 42-5-107, 47-1-104, 52-2-117
Introduced: 40-6-405, 40-6-407, 40-6-413, 40-6-414, 40-6-1001, 40-7-135, 41-3-102, 41-3-103, 41-3-109, 41-3-128, 41-3-205, 41-3-301, 41-3-306, 41-3-307, 41-3-422, 41-3-423, 41-3-425, 41-3-427, 41-3-432, 41-3-437, 41-3-444, 41-3-609, 42-2-102, 42-2-604, 42-4-102, 42-4-103, 42-4-203, 42-4-209, 42-5-101, 42-5-107, 47-1-104, 52-2-117