Bill > SB466

This bill establishes a comprehensive set of factors that must be considered when determining the best interests of a child in legal proceedings, recognizing that children are often overlooked in policy and legal decisions. The bill provides 17 specific factors for courts to evaluate, including the physical and emotional safety of the child, the child's developmental needs, parental capacity to meet those needs, the child's own preferences, family relationships, emotional ties, parental willingness to support the child's relationships with other family members, and potential exposure to domestic violence. Importantly, the bill stipulates that a parent's socioeconomic status cannot be the sole basis for custody decisions, and a disability of a parent cannot automatically disqualify them from custody unless it demonstrably impacts the child's best interests. The legislation also requires courts to consider the child's cultural background, potential abuse or neglect history, and whether parents have completed court-directed parenting education programs. While courts are not required to weight these factors equally, they must articulate the reasoning behind their decisions, ultimately aiming to create a more holistic and child-centered approach to legal determinations involving children.

Health and Social Services

https://bills.legmt.gov/#/laws/bill/2/LC0482