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MontanaHB 57569th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House

Generally revise the proceedings in which a public defender may be assigned

Sponsored By: Peter Strand (Democrat)

Signed by Governor

Criminal ProcedureState GovernmentCourts

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Public defender for parents facing termination

Beginning July 1, 2025, a court can assign a public defender to a parent in an involuntary termination of parental rights case. The court must first decide if the parent is indigent under 47-1-111. If indigent, the state pays for the lawyer.

More child advocates in youth and neglect cases

Beginning July 1, 2025, private attorneys who contract to provide public defender services can also be appointed as a child advocate or guardian ad litem in youth court and in abuse or neglect cases. The appointment must be separate from their public defender work and free of any conflict of interest.

Public defender on treatment court teams

Beginning July 1, 2025, a court may order a public defender to join a treatment court team. This adds legal support and coordination for people in those programs.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Peter Strand

    Democrat • House

Cosponsors

  • Josh Kassmier

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 204 • No: 141

Senate vote • 4/28/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 25 • No: 24

Senate vote • 4/25/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 27 • No: 23

Senate vote • 4/24/2025

Take HB 575 from Comm-Boldman

Yes: 27 • No: 23

House vote • 3/1/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 68 • No: 29

House vote • 2/28/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 57 • No: 42

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/19/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/13/2025House

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    5/7/2025House

  4. Signed by President

    5/6/2025Senate

  5. Signed by Speaker

    5/2/2025House

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/29/2025House

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/29/2025House

  8. Returned to House

    4/29/2025Senate

  9. 3rd Reading

    4/28/2025Senate

  10. 2nd Reading

    4/25/2025Senate

  11. Take from Committee; Place on 2nd Reading

    4/24/2025Senate

  12. Tabled in Committee

    4/9/2025Senate

  13. Hearing

    4/8/2025Senate

  14. Hearing

    3/25/2025Senate

  15. Referred to Committee

    3/6/2025Senate

  16. Fiscal Note Printed

    3/5/2025House

  17. Fiscal Note Unsigned

    3/4/2025House

  18. Fiscal Note Received

    3/3/2025House

  19. 1st Reading

    3/3/2025Senate

  20. 3rd Reading

    3/1/2025House

  21. Fiscal Note Requested

    2/28/2025House

  22. 2nd Reading

    2/28/2025House

  23. 2nd Reading Pass Consideration

    2/27/2025House

  24. Committee Report

    2/25/2025House

  25. Committee Executive Action

    2/25/2025House

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/29/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    2/19/2025

    PDF

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