MontanaHB 19169th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Revise crime of endangering welfare of child

Sponsored By: Curtis Schomer (Republican)

Became Law

Criminal ProcedureCrimesMinors

Your PRIA Score

Score Hidden

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 3 mixed.

Penalties and victim payments in child cases

General child-endangerment penalties are a fine up to $500 or up to 6 months in jail, or both. A second offense raises the fine to up to $1,000. Meth-related child-endangerment is a felony: up to 5 years in prison and up to a $10,000 fine. If a child suffers serious bodily injury, it is up to 10 years and up to $25,000. Domestic-violence-in-a-child’s-presence cases carry a $100 to $1,000 fine and 72 hours to 1 year in county jail. Courts may order fines or forfeited bonds paid to help the person whose welfare was endangered.

Meth near children is a felony

It is a crime to make or try to make meth where a child lives or in places a child could reasonably be present, including common areas in multi-unit buildings and rooms for public overnight stays. It is also a crime to let a child inhale, touch, or swallow meth or be exposed to meth equipment. These cases are treated as felonies.

Adults face charges for corrupting kids

It is a crime for any parent, guardian, or adult 18 or older to knowingly give or encourage a child under 18 to use alcohol or drugs or to promote prostitution. For children under 16, it is also a crime to help, promote, or encourage them to leave home without consent or to engage in sexual conduct.

Clear rules for child supervision

The law makes it a crime for a parent, guardian, or caregiver to knowingly endanger a child by breaking a duty of care, protection, or support. Courts may consider proof of abuse, cruel punishment, neglect, lack of food, shelter, or medical care, and past injuries. Age-appropriate independence is allowed. Kids may travel to and from school or nearby places and play outside. They may wait in a car for less than 15 minutes when it is not or will not become dangerously hot or cold. They may stay home the same day if they can reach you and you plan for emergencies. These rules apply to conduct on or after the law’s effective date.

Domestic violence in front of kids adds charges

If you commit certain listed crimes against a partner or family member in a child’s presence, you also commit child endangerment. Prosecutors may add this charge to the main crime, and each child can be a separate count. Only the predominant aggressor can be charged under this rule.

Protective orders to stop adult contact

A parent, guardian, or caregiver of a child under 16 can ask an adult 18 or older with no legal right to stop contacting the child. You or the county attorney may ask the court for an order of protection. If that adult purposely or knowingly breaks the order, it is a crime under this law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Curtis Schomer
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Barry Usher
Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 290 • No: 9

House vote • 3/20/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 46 • No: 4

House vote • 3/19/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 45 • No: 5

House vote • 2/7/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote • 1/28/2025