MontanaCourts would weigh children’s heritage in parenting and adoption decisions
If enacted, the measure would have courts consider children’s heritage and connected traditions in parenting plan cases and contested adoptions.
What it does
Courts would consider a child’s heritage, including Indian heritage, when deciding a parenting plan. They would also consider traditions tied to the child’s direct social, family, or ancestral connections.
In contested adoptions, courts would consider a child’s heritage, including Indian heritage, as well as other factors such as existing relationships and possible harm from changing the child’s placement.
The secretary of state would send each federally recognized tribal government in Montana a copy of the act.
Argument forChildren’s family and cultural ties might receive closer attention when courts decide parenting plans or whether a contested adoption should proceed.
Argument againstCourts might weigh a child’s traditions and ties to particular places differently, which could make some parenting or adoption decisions harder to predict.
More detail
Courts would consider a child’s heritage when deciding a parenting plan. This applies when courts decide a child’s best interests in a parenting plan case. Courts would consider traditions and customs connected to a group or people with a direct social, family, or ancestral tie to the child. The proposed act would take effect July 1, 2025, if enacted.
Courts would consider a child’s heritage in contested adoption cases. This applies when a court considers a contested adoption involving a child. Courts would consider traditions and customs connected to a group or people with a direct social, family, or ancestral tie to the child. The proposed act would take effect July 1, 2025, if enacted.
The secretary of state would send a copy of the act to tribal governments. The secretary of state would send the copy to each federally recognized tribal government in Montana. The proposed act would take effect July 1, 2025, if enacted.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Died
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2025
- May 23(H) Died in CommitteeDied
- Mar 27(H) Tabled in Committee - (H) Human ServicesMinor
- Vote recorded to_table. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 17(H) Hearing - (H) Human Services
- Mar 4(H) 1st Reading
- Mar 4(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Human ServicesMinor
- Mar 3(S) Transmitted to House
- Vote recorded Do Pass. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 3(S) 3rd Reading
- Mar 3(S) Scheduled for 3rd ReadingMinor
- Feb 28(S) 2nd ReadingMinor
- Vote recorded Do Pass As Amended. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded AMD-SB0180.001.002 Lenz D/PASS. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 28(S) 2nd Reading Motion to AmendMinor
- Feb 28(S) Scheduled for 2nd ReadingMinor
- Feb 27(S) Take from Committee; Place on 2nd Reading - (S) Public Health, Welfare and SafetyMinor
- Feb 14(S) Tabled in Committee - (S) Public Health, Welfare and SafetyMinor
- Vote recorded to_table. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 7(S) Hearing - (S) Public Health, Welfare and Safety
- Jan 31(S) Hearing Canceled - (S) Public Health, Welfare and Safety
- Jan 30(S) Hearing - (S) Public Health, Welfare and Safety
- Jan 21(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Public Health, Welfare and SafetyMinor
- Jan 21(S) 1st Reading
- Jan 21(S) Introduced
- Jan 17(LC) Draft Delivered to Requester
- Jan 17(LC) Draft Ready for Delivery
- Jan 16(LC) Draft in Assembly
- Jan 16(LC) Draft in Final Drafter Review
- Jan 16(LC) Draft in Input/Proofing
- Jan 14(LC) Draft in Edit
- Jan 14(LC) Draft in Legal Review
- 2024
- Nov 27(LC) Draft Taken Off Hold
- Sep 25(LC) Draft On Hold
- Sep 24(LC) Drafter AssignedIntroduced