Senate Bill 464 revises the laws governing the appointment and responsibilities of special advocates in child abuse and neglect cases in Montana. The bill replaces the term "court-appointed special advocate" with "special advocate" and establishes specific qualifications for these advocates, including age, commitment, background checks, and training. It prohibits governmental departments or staff with conflicts of interest from being appointed as special advocates and outlines their responsibilities, which include advocating for the child's best interests, conducting independent reviews, maintaining confidentiality, and monitoring compliance with court orders. The bill also updates definitions related to child welfare, such as "abandon," "abused or neglected," and "best interests of the child," while allowing for the removal of advocates who fail to perform their duties.

Additionally, the bill clarifies the right to counsel for various parties involved in child welfare cases, including indigent parents and children, and mandates the appointment of the office of state public defender to assign counsel for eligible parties. It removes references to the Montana Indian Child Welfare Act, which is set to terminate in 2025, and modifies provisions regarding the appointment of counsel for guardians ad litem or special advocates. These changes aim to streamline the legal process, ensure appropriate legal representation for all parties, and enhance the protection of children's rights in judicial proceedings.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_1(1): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_1(2): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_1(3): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_1(4): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_1(5): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_1: 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_2(1): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_2(10): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_2(11): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_2(12): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_2(13): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_2(14): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_2(15): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_2(16): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_2(2): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_2(3): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_2(4): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_2(5): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_2(6): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_2(7): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_2(8): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_2(9): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_2: 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_3(1): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_3(2): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_3(3): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_3(4): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_3(5): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_3(6): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_3(7): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_3(8): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_3(9): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_3: 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_X(1): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_X(10): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_X(11): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_X(12): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_X(13): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_X(2): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_X(3): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_X(4): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_X(5): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_X(6): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_X(7): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_X(8): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_X(9): 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425
SB0464_X: 41-3-112, 41-3-102, 41-3-425