Bill > SB328

This bill aims to apply key concepts from the federal Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) to all child protective services cases in Montana, not just those involving Native American children. The bill defines "reasonable efforts" to prevent removal or reunify families more broadly, requiring the state to conduct comprehensive assessments, identify appropriate services, engage extended family, and make other active efforts to support families. It also establishes placement preferences for foster care, preadoptive, and adoptive placements, prioritizing placements with the child's extended family or community. The bill further provides for limited exemptions from the placement preferences and requires the state to make reasonable efforts to place children permanently in accordance with the established preferences. Overall, the bill seeks to bring ICWA-like protections and procedures to all child welfare cases in Montana.

Health and Social Services

https://laws.leg.mt.gov/legprd/LAW0210W$BSIV.ActionQuery?P_BILL_NO1=328&P_BLTP_BILL_TYP_CD=SB&Z_ACTION=Find&P_SESS=20231