All Roll Calls
Yes: 181 • No: 156
MontanaHB 69469th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)House
Revise laws related to child abuse and neglect
Sponsored By: Stacy Zinn (Republican)
Became Law
Family LawLaw EnforcementMinors
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.
Child removal requires imminent harm
DPHHS cannot remove a child based only on an allegation. The agency must have reasonable cause to think the child faces imminent harm before a forced removal. This protects family unity unless safety requires removal.
Placements prioritize family and culture
In adoptions, priority goes first to extended family (including fictive kin), then to someone in the child’s community with similar heritage, then to a family with similar heritage. In foster or preadoptive care, the child must be placed in the least restrictive, family-like setting, near home and siblings when possible. Sibling bonds and any special needs must be considered. The child’s or parent’s placement preference is also considered. “Fictive kin” means someone the family treats as family and who had a strong tie to the child before DPHHS got involved. These preferences can be set aside for good cause or when federal or Montana Indian Child Welfare Acts apply.
Overseas child placements are disfavored
The state disfavors placing a child outside the United States. This does not apply when the federal or Montana Indian Child Welfare Acts control the placement.
Background checks for placement homes
Before approving foster, preadoptive, or adoptive placements, DPHHS checks whether anyone living in the home has a conviction for crimes involving serious harm to children. This improves child safety. It also adds a screening step for families who want to host a placement.
Relatives registry for child removal alerts
The state creates a voluntary registry so close relatives can get notified if a related child is removed. DPHHS must check the registry and notify listed relatives on the first working day after placement. DPHHS may charge a fee to people who register, limited to the cost to run the registry.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Stacy Zinn
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Dennis Lenz
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/10/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 30 • No: 18
House vote • 4/9/2025
AMD-HB0694.002.002 Emrich D/PASS
Yes: 4 • No: 41
House vote • 4/9/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 33 • No: 14
House vote • 3/7/2025
Vote
Yes: 57 • No: 42
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
4/11/2025HouseSent to Enrolling
4/10/2025House3rd Reading Concurred
4/10/2025Senate2nd Reading Concurred
4/9/2025Senate2nd Reading Motion to Amend Failed
4/9/2025SenateCommittee Report--Bill Concurred
4/8/2025SenateCommittee Executive Action--Bill Concurred
4/7/2025SenateHearing Canceled
4/7/2025SenateHearing
4/2/2025SenateReferred 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 as Amended
3/1/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action--Bill Passed as Amended
3/1/2025HouseHearing
2/27/2025HouseRereferred to Committee
2/25/2025HouseHearing Canceled
2/25/2025HouseHearing
2/24/2025House
Bill Text
Enrolled
4/10/2025
As Amended (Version 2)
3/1/2025
Introduced
2/24/2025