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MontanaSB 41269th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)SenateWALLET

Provide for fee waivers of government documents to former foster children

Sponsored By: Laura Smith (Democrat)

Signed by Governor

Family LawMinorsHealthMotor VehiclesSocial ServicesRevenue, State

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Free IDs and records for former foster youth

If you were in foster care, left DPHHS custody when you turned 18, and are under 21, many fees are free. You pay $0 for certified birth certificates and replacement birth certificates. You pay $0 for driver’s license and motorcycle endorsement applications or renewals, replacement licenses, and state ID cards. A Montana university unit must bill DPHHS first for any transcript or record fee. It can charge you only if DPHHS says it cannot pay or does not pay within 30 days. To get the waiver, you only need to say you qualify. Offices cannot ask for more proof.

How Montana funds and runs the waivers

DPHHS can apply for federal funds that help foster youth move to adulthood. If it gets those funds, it reimburses offices for the fees they waived. If no federal funds come in, the department does not have to reimburse. DPHHS can set rules, forms, and steps to run the waivers and payments. The law also overrides Montana’s unfunded mandate rules for this program.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Laura Smith

    Democrat • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Jodee Etchart

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 297 • No: 0

House vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 99 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/18/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 49 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/17/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 50 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/8/2025Senate

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/5/2025Senate

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    4/25/2025Senate

  4. Signed by Speaker

    4/25/2025House

  5. Signed by President

    4/21/2025Senate

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/14/2025Senate

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/11/2025Senate

  8. 3rd Reading

    4/11/2025House

  9. 2nd Reading

    4/11/2025House

  10. Committee Report

    4/8/2025House

  11. Committee Executive Action

    4/7/2025House

  12. Hearing

    3/29/2025House

  13. 1st Reading

    3/19/2025House

  14. Referred to Committee

    3/19/2025House

  15. Transmitted to House

    3/18/2025Senate

  16. 3rd Reading

    3/18/2025Senate

  17. 2nd Reading

    3/17/2025Senate

  18. Committee Report

    3/1/2025Senate

  19. Fiscal Note Printed

    3/1/2025Senate

  20. Committee Executive Action

    2/28/2025Senate

  21. Fiscal Note Unsigned

    2/28/2025Senate

  22. Fiscal Note Received

    2/28/2025Senate

  23. Hearing

    2/27/2025Senate

  24. Referred to Committee

    2/24/2025Senate

  25. 1st Reading

    2/24/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/15/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    2/21/2025

    PDF

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