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MontanaSB 25669th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)Senate

Generally revise child abuse and neglect laws

Sponsored By: Dennis Lenz (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Family LawMinorsSocial ServicesCourtsCivil Procedure

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Less sharing in child abuse checks

Screeners must ask in writing to get records. They can see child abuse records only if an allegation was made against you and the case was substantiated. This applies to jobs or volunteer roles with unsupervised contact with children.

Limits on records in childcare licensing

For child care and child‑placing licenses, agencies can use records only if the allegation was against the applicant and the finding was substantiated. They cannot use unrelated or unsubstantiated investigations to deny or limit a license.

Tribal record sharing rule stays

A clause that was set to end on June 30, 2025 now remains in effect. It continues the record-sharing permissions in that clause, including sharing with tribal agencies and related parties named in the law.

Courts and parties can get records

Child abuse and neglect records stay confidential. But the law now makes clear that records allowed under the discovery rule in 41-3-431 are available to courts and parties as that rule permits. This improves access for fair case handling while keeping other records sealed.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Dennis Lenz

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 349 • No: 43

Senate vote • 3/28/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 48 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/27/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 47 • No: 1

House vote • 3/25/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote • 3/24/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 97 • No: 0

Senate vote • 2/21/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 27 • No: 23

Senate vote • 2/20/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 31 • No: 19

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    4/17/2025Senate

  2. Signed by Governor

    4/16/2025Senate

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    4/8/2025Senate

  4. Signed by Speaker

    4/8/2025House

  5. Signed by President

    4/2/2025Senate

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    3/30/2025Senate

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    3/28/2025Senate

  8. 3rd Reading House Amendments

    3/28/2025Senate

  9. 2nd Reading House Amendments

    3/27/2025Senate

  10. Returned to Senate with Amendments

    3/25/2025House

  11. 3rd Reading

    3/25/2025House

  12. 2nd Reading

    3/24/2025House

  13. Committee Report

    3/19/2025House

  14. Committee Executive Action

    3/18/2025House

  15. Hearing

    3/5/2025House

  16. Fiscal Note Printed

    2/24/2025Senate

  17. 1st Reading

    2/22/2025House

  18. Referred to Committee

    2/22/2025House

  19. Fiscal Note Signed

    2/21/2025Senate

  20. Transmitted to House

    2/21/2025Senate

  21. 3rd Reading

    2/21/2025Senate

  22. Fiscal Note Received

    2/21/2025Senate

  23. 2nd Reading

    2/20/2025Senate

  24. Fiscal Note Requested

    2/20/2025Senate

  25. Committee Report

    2/15/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/15/2025

    PDF

  • As Amended (Version 2)

    3/19/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    2/3/2025

    PDF

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