Senate Bill No. [insert bill number] seeks to strengthen the legal framework surrounding the removal of children from their homes by instituting stricter requirements. The bill mandates that a warrant must be obtained for child removal, except in cases of imminent and apparent danger, and extends the timeline for filing an abuse and neglect petition from 72 hours to 5 working days following an emergency removal. It amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) and introduces new procedures for obtaining and executing warrants, emphasizing the necessity of probable cause and proper documentation. The bill also reinforces the state's commitment to protecting children while maintaining family unity, ensuring that removals are not based solely on allegations without a warrant unless there is an immediate threat.

Additionally, the bill clarifies definitions related to child welfare, including the definition of "sexual abuse" and the conditions under which medically indicated treatment may be withheld from infants. It outlines the responsibilities of child protection specialists and the Department of Public Health and Human Services to notify parents or guardians about removals and to make reasonable efforts to prevent such actions. The bill also establishes requirements for timely placement of children in permanent homes and mandates a permanency hearing within 30 days if reunification services are not needed. The effective date for the implementation of this act is set for July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 41-3-101, 41-3-301, 41-3-423
SB0050_1(1): 41-3-101, 41-3-301, 41-3-423
SB0050_1(2): 41-3-101, 41-3-301, 41-3-423
SB0050_1(3): 41-3-101, 41-3-301, 41-3-423
SB0050_1(4): 41-3-101, 41-3-301, 41-3-423
SB0050_1(5): 41-3-101, 41-3-301, 41-3-423
SB0050_1(6): 41-3-101, 41-3-301, 41-3-423
SB0050_1(7): 41-3-101, 41-3-301, 41-3-423
SB0050_1(8): 41-3-101, 41-3-301, 41-3-423
SB0050_1: 41-3-101, 41-3-301, 41-3-423
SB0050_2(1): 41-3-101, 41-3-102, 41-3-301, 41-3-423
SB0050_2(10): 41-3-101, 41-3-301, 41-3-423
SB0050_2(11): 41-3-101, 41-3-301, 41-3-423
SB0050_2(12): 41-3-101, 41-3-301, 41-3-423
SB0050_2(13): 41-3-101, 41-3-301, 41-3-423
SB0050_2(14): 41-3-101, 41-3-301, 41-3-423
SB0050_2(15): 41-3-101, 41-3-301, 41-3-423
SB0050_2(16): 41-3-101, 41-3-301, 41-3-423
SB0050_2(2): 41-3-101, 41-3-102, 41-3-301, 41-3-423
SB0050_2(3): 41-3-101, 41-3-102, 41-3-301, 41-3-423
SB0050_2(4): 41-3-101, 41-3-301, 41-3-423
SB0050_2(5): 41-3-101, 41-3-301, 41-3-423
SB0050_2(6): 41-3-101, 41-3-301, 41-3-423
SB0050_2(7): 41-3-101, 41-3-301, 41-3-423
SB0050_2(8): 41-3-101, 41-3-301, 41-3-423
SB0050_2(9): 41-3-101, 41-3-301, 41-3-423
SB0050_2: 41-3-101, 41-3-102, 41-3-301, 41-3-423
SB0050_3(1): 41-3-101, 41-3-301, 41-3-423
SB0050_3(2): 41-3-101, 41-3-301, 41-3-423
SB0050_3(3): 41-3-101, 41-3-301, 41-3-423
SB0050_3(4): 41-3-101, 41-3-301, 41-3-423
SB0050_3(5): 41-3-101, 41-3-301, 41-3-423
SB0050_3(6): 41-3-101, 41-3-301, 41-3-423
SB0050_3: 41-3-101, 41-3-301, 41-3-423