Bill > SB17

This bill revises several legal deadlines related to child protective services, primarily changing the timeframes for hearings and conferences after a child's emergency removal from their home. Specifically, the bill modifies existing law to replace calendar days with working days for emergency protective service hearings and prehearing conferences, extending the timeline from 5 to 5 working days. Additionally, the bill changes the deadline for a show cause hearing from 20 to 21 days after the filing of a child abuse and neglect petition. These changes aim to provide more flexibility and practicality in scheduling critical legal proceedings involving child safety. The bill requires the department to notify parents or guardians about the removal, including information about upcoming hearings, their rights, and contact information for child protection services. The modifications also clarify procedures for hearings, such as the court's obligations to explain rights, make written findings, and consider the child's best interests. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025, and the secretary of state is required to send a copy of the act to each federally recognized tribal government in Montana.

Health and Social Services

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/20251/LC0260