This bill revises existing laws concerning the deadlines for hearings following the emergency removal and protective placement of a child. It specifically changes the notification period for emergency protective services hearings and prehearing conferences from 5 days to 5 working days. Additionally, the deadline for a show cause hearing is amended from 20 days to 21 days. The bill amends Sections 41-3-301, 41-3-307, and 41-3-432 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to reflect these changes, ensuring that the legal processes surrounding child protection are more clearly defined and timely.

The bill also includes provisions for notifying parents or guardians about the reasons for a child's removal and their rights during the hearings. It mandates that notifications must include information about the hearings, contact details for relevant authorities, and the rights of the parents or guardians to participate in the process. The effective date for these changes is set for July 1, 2025, and the bill also requires that a copy be sent to each federally recognized tribal government in Montana.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 41-3-301, 41-3-307, 41-3-432
SB0017_1(1): 41-3-301, 41-3-307, 41-3-432
SB0017_1(2): 41-3-301, 41-3-307, 41-3-432
SB0017_1(3): 41-3-301, 41-3-307, 41-3-432
SB0017_1(4): 41-3-301, 41-3-307, 41-3-432
SB0017_1(5): 41-3-301, 41-3-307, 41-3-432
SB0017_1(6): 41-3-301, 41-3-307, 41-3-432
SB0017_1: 41-3-301, 41-3-307, 41-3-432
SB0017_2: 41-3-301, 41-3-307, 41-3-432
SB0017_X(1): 41-3-301, 41-3-307, 41-3-432
SB0017_X(10): 41-3-301, 41-3-307, 41-3-432
SB0017_X(2): 41-3-301, 41-3-307, 41-3-432
SB0017_X(3): 41-3-301, 41-3-307, 41-3-432
SB0017_X(4): 41-3-301, 41-3-307, 41-3-432
SB0017_X(5): 41-3-301, 41-3-307, 41-3-432
SB0017_X(6): 41-3-301, 41-3-307, 41-3-432
SB0017_X(7): 41-3-301, 41-3-307, 41-3-432
SB0017_X(8): 41-3-301, 41-3-307, 41-3-432
SB0017_X(9): 41-3-301, 41-3-307, 41-3-432
SB0017_X: 41-3-301, 41-3-307, 41-3-432