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MontanaSB 46669th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)Senate

Establish factors when determining best interest of child

Sponsored By: Dennis Lenz (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Family LawMinorsCourts

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

How judges decide child custody now

The law sets clear factors judges use to decide a child’s best interests. Judges look at safety, the child’s needs, each parent’s capacity and involvement, and the child’s wishes. They consider family ties, stability at home and school, and whether a parent supports the child’s bond with the other parent and follows court orders. Income or wealth alone cannot decide the case. Disability alone does not decide custody unless the plan is not best for the child. Judges consider any abuse, neglect, or domestic violence the child saw, and any manipulation or pressure on the child. Judges also consider whether a parent finished a court-ordered parenting class. The court must explain its reasons, and it does not have to give one factor more weight than another.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Dennis Lenz

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Steven Kelly

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 298 • No: 0

House vote • 4/11/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 99 • No: 0

House vote • 4/10/2025

Do Concur

Yes: 100 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/6/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 49 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/6/2025

Do Pass

Yes: 50 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Chapter Number Assigned

    5/13/2025Senate

  2. Signed by Governor

    5/8/2025Senate

  3. Transmitted to Governor

    4/30/2025Senate

  4. Signed by Speaker

    4/29/2025House

  5. Signed by President

    4/21/2025Senate

  6. Returned from Enrolling

    4/12/2025Senate

  7. Sent to Enrolling

    4/11/2025Senate

  8. 3rd Reading

    4/11/2025House

  9. 2nd Reading

    4/10/2025House

  10. Committee Report

    3/26/2025House

  11. Committee Executive Action

    3/25/2025House

  12. Hearing

    3/19/2025House

  13. 1st Reading

    3/17/2025House

  14. Referred to Committee

    3/17/2025House

  15. Transmitted to House

    3/7/2025Senate

  16. 3rd Reading

    3/6/2025Senate

  17. 2nd Reading

    3/6/2025Senate

  18. Committee Report

    3/4/2025Senate

  19. Committee Executive Action

    3/3/2025Senate

  20. Hearing

    2/27/2025Senate

  21. Hearing Canceled

    2/26/2025Senate

  22. Referred to Committee

    2/25/2025Senate

  23. 1st Reading

    2/25/2025Senate

  24. Introduced

    2/25/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled

    4/12/2025

    PDF

  • Introduced

    2/25/2025

    PDF

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