Senate Bill No. [insert bill number] seeks to enhance child custody laws in Montana by prioritizing child safety and establishing mandatory training for judges, standing masters, and guardians ad litem. The bill requires these professionals to undergo trauma-informed and culturally appropriate training focused on domestic violence and child abuse, ensuring they can effectively address these critical issues in custody cases. Key amendments include a mandate for judges and standing masters to complete at least 20 hours of initial orientation training and 15 hours of ongoing training every two years, as well as a requirement for guardians ad litem to demonstrate similar training and work independently to represent the child's best interests. The bill also revises definitions and clarifies children's rights in custody proceedings, particularly regarding safety and the consideration of domestic violence and child abuse allegations.

Additionally, the bill introduces new considerations for courts when a parent intends to change a child's residence, emphasizing the importance of maintaining relationships with the non-relocating parent and the willingness of the relocating parent to support that relationship. It establishes criteria for modifying parenting arrangements based on specific behaviors and allows for amendments to parenting plans in cases of a parent's death. The bill also emphasizes children's rights, including protection from violence and the ability to express their views, while restricting the court's ability to order reunification treatment under certain conditions. It repeals a section related to orientation courses and clarifies that the provisions of this act take precedence over certain unfunded mandate laws, with the bill set to take effect upon passage and specific sections becoming effective on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 3-1-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, 40-4-227
SB0318_1(1): 3-1-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, 40-4-227
SB0318_1(2): 3-1-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, 40-4-227
SB0318_1(3): 3-1-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, 40-4-227
SB0318_1(4): 3-1-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, 40-4-227
SB0318_1(5): 3-1-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, 40-4-227
SB0318_1(6): 3-1-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, 40-4-227
SB0318_1(7): 3-1-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, 40-4-227
SB0318_1: 3-1-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, 40-4-227
SB0318_2(1): 3-1-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, 40-4-227
SB0318_2(10): 3-1-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, 40-4-227
SB0318_2(11): 3-1-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, 40-4-227
SB0318_2(12): 3-1-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, 40-4-227
SB0318_2(13): 3-1-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, 40-4-227
SB0318_2(14): 3-1-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, 40-4-227
SB0318_2(15): 3-1-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, 40-4-227
SB0318_2(16): 3-1-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, 40-4-227
SB0318_2(17): 3-1-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, 40-4-227
SB0318_2(18): 3-1-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, 40-4-227
SB0318_2(19): 3-1-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, 40-4-227
SB0318_2(2): 3-1-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, 40-4-227
SB0318_2(20): 3-1-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, 40-4-227
SB0318_2(21): 3-1-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, 40-4-227
SB0318_2(22): 3-1-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, 40-4-227
SB0318_2(23): 3-1-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, 40-4-227
SB0318_2(24): 3-1-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, 40-4-227
SB0318_2(3): 3-1-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, 40-4-227
SB0318_2(4): 3-1-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, 40-4-227
SB0318_2(5): 3-1-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, 40-4-227
SB0318_2(6): 3-1-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, 40-4-227
SB0318_2(7): 3-1-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, 40-4-227
SB0318_2(8): 3-1-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, 40-4-227
SB0318_2(9): 3-1-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, 40-4-227
SB0318_2: 3-1-1501, 3-1-1502, 40-4-205, 40-4-212, 40-4-219, 40-4-227