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 new qualifications for these advocates, including age, commitment, background checks, and training requirements. It emphasizes the importance of confidentiality, conflict of interest avoidance, and advocacy for the child's best interests. Additionally, the bill allows for the appointment of an attorney or qualified individual if a special advocate is unavailable. It also introduces definitions for terms such as "abandonment," "child abuse or neglect," and "best interests of the child," while removing outdated language to enhance clarity and focus on child welfare.

Furthermore, the bill amends Section 41-3-425 to ensure the immediate appointment of the office of state public defender for indigent parents, guardians, or custodians involved in child removal, placement, or termination proceedings, as well as for children or youth in these cases. It removes references to the Montana Indian Child Welfare Act and specifies that a public defender cannot be appointed for a putative father until he has been served notice and requests counsel in writing. Overall, the bill aims to improve the effectiveness and accountability of special advocates and enhance legal protections for all parties involved in child welfare cases.

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(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