The bill amends Section 41-3-437 of the Montana Code Annotated to revise the adjudication process for child abuse and neglect cases. It mandates that courts must hear additional evidence from individuals caring for a child, specifically regarding the extent of care provided by non-parental figures and the circumstances under which the child was placed in their care. The bill also clarifies that hearsay evidence from the affected youth is admissible, and it removes the previous requirement that abandonment must be alleged by specific legal representatives before the court can hear evidence related to the child's care.

Additionally, the bill outlines the court's responsibilities in determining whether a child is a youth in need of care and establishes procedures for dismissing petitions if the child is found not to be abused or neglected. It emphasizes the importance of timely hearings, requiring adjudicatory hearings to occur within 90 days of a show cause hearing, and sets a timeline for dispositional hearings if a child is adjudicated as needing care. The bill is designed to ensure that the best interests of the child are prioritized in legal proceedings related to abuse and neglect.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 41-3-437
SB0249_1(1): 41-3-437
SB0249_1(2): 41-3-437
SB0249_1(3): 41-3-437
SB0249_1(4): 41-3-437
SB0249_1(5): 41-3-437
SB0249_1: 41-3-437
SB0249_2: 41-3-437
SB0249_X(1): 41-3-437
SB0249_X(2): 41-3-437
SB0249_X(3): 41-3-437
SB0249_X(4): 41-3-437
SB0249_X(5): 41-3-437
SB0249_X: 41-3-437