House Bill No. [insert bill number] proposes significant amendments to child support laws in Montana, establishing that a father's financial obligation begins at conception. The bill mandates that courts award child support retroactively to the month of conception, as determined by a licensed healthcare provider, unless paternity is contested and the mother objects to genetic testing during pregnancy. In cases where the pregnancy terminates and the unborn child does not survive, the support obligation will also terminate, with the mother required to notify the court. The bill further amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to include provisions for temporary support orders, the establishment of financial responsibility, and the inclusion of the projected date of birth in notices of financial responsibility.

Additionally, the bill emphasizes the importance of establishing paternity and allows for proceedings to commence before the child's birth, provided the mother does not object to genetic testing. It clarifies that child support and medical support orders remain in effect until the child turns 18 or graduates from high school, whichever is later, but not beyond the child's 19th birthday unless emancipated earlier. The bill also outlines procedures for administrative hearings, including the requirement for initial teleconference hearings, and grants the hearings officer authority to compel compliance with orders and impose penalties for contempt. Overall, the bill aims to ensure shared financial responsibilities from conception while providing clarity on legal processes related to child support and paternity. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 40-4-204, 40-5-225, 40-5-226, 40-5-232, 40-5-233, 40-6-107, 40-6-112, 40-6-116
HB0288_1(1): 40-4-204, 40-5-225, 40-5-226, 40-5-232, 40-5-233, 40-6-107, 40-6-112, 40-6-116
HB0288_1(2): 40-4-204, 40-5-225, 40-5-226, 40-5-232, 40-5-233, 40-6-107, 40-6-112, 40-6-116
HB0288_1(3): 40-4-204, 40-5-225, 40-5-226, 40-5-232, 40-5-233, 40-6-107, 40-6-112, 40-6-116
HB0288_1(4): 40-4-204, 40-5-225, 40-5-226, 40-5-232, 40-5-233, 40-6-107, 40-6-112, 40-6-116
HB0288_1(5): 40-4-204, 40-5-225, 40-5-226, 40-5-232, 40-5-233, 40-6-107, 40-6-112, 40-6-116
HB0288_1(6): 40-4-204, 40-5-225, 40-5-226, 40-5-232, 40-5-233, 40-6-107, 40-6-112, 40-6-116
HB0288_1(7): 40-4-204, 40-5-225, 40-5-226, 40-5-232, 40-5-233, 40-6-107, 40-6-112, 40-6-116
HB0288_1(8): 40-4-204, 40-5-225, 40-5-226, 40-5-232, 40-5-233, 40-6-107, 40-6-112, 40-6-116
HB0288_1(9): 40-4-204, 40-5-225, 40-5-226, 40-5-232, 40-5-233, 40-6-107, 40-6-112, 40-6-116
HB0288_1: 40-4-204, 40-5-225, 40-5-226, 40-5-232, 40-5-233, 40-6-107, 40-6-112, 40-6-116