The bill amends Montana's child abuse and neglect laws by revising the declaration of policy and placement preferences for children removed from their homes. It emphasizes the state's commitment to protecting children from abuse or neglect and ensuring their welfare within a family environment. Key provisions include the requirement for the Department of Child and Family Services to investigate any criminal history of individuals in potential placement homes and the establishment of a registry for notifying close relatives when a child is removed from their home. The bill also underscores the importance of maintaining a child's ethnic, cultural, and religious heritage during placement.

Additionally, the bill introduces a significant change in placement preferences by stating that placements outside of the United States are disfavored, except for cases governed by the federal Indian Child Welfare Act or the Montana Indian Child Welfare Act. This aims to prioritize placements that keep children within their community and cultural context. The amendments to Sections 41-3-101 and 41-3-450 reflect these changes, reinforcing the importance of family unity and the child's best interests in the child welfare system.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 41-3-101, 41-3-450
HB0694_1(1): 41-3-101, 41-3-450
HB0694_1(2): 41-3-101, 41-3-450
HB0694_1(3): 41-3-101, 41-3-450
HB0694_1(4): 41-3-101, 41-3-450
HB0694_1(5): 41-3-101, 41-3-450
HB0694_1: 41-3-101, 41-3-450
HB0694_2(1): 41-3-101, 41-3-450
HB0694_2(10): 41-3-101, 41-3-450
HB0694_2(11): 41-3-101, 41-3-450
HB0694_2(12): 41-3-101, 41-3-450
HB0694_2(2): 41-3-101, 41-3-450
HB0694_2(3): 41-3-101, 41-3-450
HB0694_2(4): 41-3-101, 41-3-450
HB0694_2(5): 41-3-101, 41-3-450
HB0694_2(6): 41-3-101, 41-3-450
HB0694_2(7): 41-3-101, 41-3-450
HB0694_2(8): 41-3-101, 41-3-450
HB0694_2(9): 41-3-101, 41-3-450
HB0694_2: 41-3-101, 41-3-450
HB0694_X(1): 41-3-101, 41-3-450
HB0694_X(10): 41-3-101, 41-3-450
HB0694_X(11): 41-3-101, 41-3-450
HB0694_X(12): 41-3-101, 41-3-450
HB0694_X(13): 41-3-101, 41-3-450
HB0694_X(2): 41-3-101, 41-3-450
HB0694_X(3): 41-3-101, 41-3-450
HB0694_X(4): 41-3-101, 41-3-450
HB0694_X(5): 41-3-101, 41-3-450
HB0694_X(6): 41-3-101, 41-3-450
HB0694_X(7): 41-3-101, 41-3-450
HB0694_X(8): 41-3-101, 41-3-450
HB0694_X(9): 41-3-101, 41-3-450
HB0694_X: 41-3-101, 41-3-450