All Roll Calls
Yes: 196 • No: 149
MontanaHB 65569th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House
Prohibit discriminatory action against persons providing adoption or foster care services
Sponsored By: Greg Oblander (Republican)
Became Law
Family LawMinorsDiscrimination and Human RightsReligion
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
No state bias against religious parenting
The state cannot treat you differently in custody or placement decisions because you guide or plan to raise a foster or adoptive child by your sincere religious beliefs. This protects people who have or seek custody from bias based on their religiously motivated child‑rearing. It applies to state agencies and others acting for the state.
You can sue the state for discrimination
If the state discriminated against you under this law, you can sue the state or raise this as a defense. You have two years from when you knew or should have known about the action. You do not have to finish any agency appeals first. Courts can order relief to stop the action or declare your rights, award damages, and require the state to pay reasonable attorney fees and costs.
State cannot punish religious foster/adoption providers
The state government cannot take discriminatory action against you for advertising, providing, or helping with adoption or foster care because of your sincere religious beliefs or policies. This covers individuals, religious groups, and closely held businesses. Discriminatory action includes denying grants or contracts, changing tax treatment, or imposing fines or penalties.
Courts must read protections broadly
Courts and agencies must read this law to give the widest protection allowed for religious practice. These protections add to existing federal and state rights. The law does not stop the state from giving other benefits or services that state law allows.
Placements may prioritize child's religion
When making foster or adoptive placements, the state may consider whether a caregiver shares the child’s religion. The state can give higher priority to a caregiver of the same faith. This can help caregivers who share the child’s faith and lower priority for others.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Greg Oblander
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Brandon Ler
Republican • House
Theresa Manzella
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/8/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 29 • No: 19
House vote • 4/7/2025
AMD-HB0655.001.003 Neumann D/PASS
Yes: 22 • No: 28
House vote • 4/7/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 29 • No: 21
House vote • 3/7/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 59 • No: 40
House vote • 3/5/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 57 • No: 41
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
5/5/2025HouseSigned by Governor
5/1/2025HouseTransmitted to Governor
4/22/2025HouseSigned by President
4/21/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
4/18/2025HouseReturned from Enrolling
4/10/2025HouseSent to Enrolling
4/8/2025House3rd Reading Concurred
4/8/2025Senate2nd Reading Concurred
4/7/2025Senate2nd Reading Motion to Amend Failed
4/7/2025SenateCommittee Report--Bill Concurred
4/4/2025SenateCommittee Executive Action--Bill Concurred
4/4/2025SenateHearing
3/24/2025SenateHearing Canceled
3/18/2025SenateHearing
3/18/2025SenateReferred to Committee
3/17/2025SenateFirst Reading
3/14/2025SenateTransmitted to Senate
3/7/2025House3rd Reading Passed
3/7/2025House2nd Reading Passed
3/5/2025HouseCommittee Report--Bill Passed
3/1/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action--Bill Passed
3/1/2025HouseHearing
2/25/2025HouseFirst Reading
2/22/2025HouseReferred to Committee
2/22/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled
4/9/2025
Introduced
2/21/2025