Senate Bill No. introduced by D. Emrich aims to enhance the affidavit process in child abuse and neglect proceedings by requiring the Department of Public Health and Human Services to include disposition information for any referenced criminal cases, replacing the previous requirement for certain attachments. The bill also mandates that the department obtain law enforcement reports for adult parties involved in the petition, ensuring that the affidavit contains verified and current information at the time of filing. Additionally, it amends several sections of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to emphasize the importance of comprehensive and accurate information in affidavits, prioritizing abuse and neglect petitions in court scheduling and clarifying the burden of proof for relief requests.

Furthermore, the bill revises the intervention rights of foster parents, preadoptive parents, and relatives, allowing them to intervene in custody proceedings when it is in the child's best interests and ensuring they receive notifications about hearings. It also streamlines the adjudication process for abuse and neglect petitions by specifying timelines for hearings and outlining necessary court findings. The bill clarifies the evidence that can be presented regarding the child's care and the circumstances of their placement while establishing the rights of parents and guardians. Notably, it removes certain provisions related to the dismissal of petitions and temporary dispositional orders, thereby simplifying the process for determining the status of children in need of care.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 41-3-422, 41-3-437
SB0231_1(1): 41-3-422, 41-3-437
SB0231_1(2): 41-3-422, 41-3-437
SB0231_1(3): 41-3-422, 41-3-437
SB0231_1(4): 41-3-422, 41-3-437
SB0231_1(5): 41-3-422, 41-3-437
SB0231_1(6): 41-3-422, 41-3-437
SB0231_1: 41-3-422, 41-3-437
SB0231_2(1): 41-3-422, 41-3-437
SB0231_2(10): 41-3-422, 41-3-437
SB0231_2(11): 41-3-422, 41-3-437
SB0231_2(12): 41-3-422, 41-3-437
SB0231_2(2): 41-3-422, 41-3-437
SB0231_2(3): 41-3-422, 41-3-437
SB0231_2(4): 41-3-422, 41-3-437
SB0231_2(5): 41-3-422, 41-3-437
SB0231_2(6): 41-3-422, 41-3-437
SB0231_2(7): 41-3-422, 41-3-437
SB0231_2(8): 41-3-422, 41-3-437
SB0231_2(9): 41-3-422, 41-3-437
SB0231_2: 41-3-422, 41-3-437