All Roll Calls
Yes: 437 • No: 8
MontanaSB 46869th Legislature, Regular Session (2025)Senate
Establish central registry for individuals who are the subject of a substantiated report of child abuse or neglect
Sponsored By: Dennis Lenz (Republican)
Became Law
Family LawMinorsCourts
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
State child abuse registry affects jobs
Beginning July 1, 2025, the health department keeps a statewide registry of people with substantiated child abuse or neglect. “Substantiated” means the department investigates and a district court finds the act more likely than not. An admission or related conviction can count. An agreement to follow a treatment plan alone does not. Employers and licensing boards can see registry info in background checks for roles with unsupervised contact with children. If you are listed, the department must tell you and explain how to ask for removal.
Path to remove your name from registry
Starting July 1, 2025, if you are listed, you can ask the department in writing to remove your name. Your request must include a sworn affidavit with facts showing good cause, like new evidence, no longer a risk, reunification, changed circumstances, or rehabilitation. The department must act within 30 days; if it grants, it removes your name and destroys records within 30 days. If denied, it must notify you in 30 days, and you can petition your district court. The court holds a hearing and, on good cause, orders removal and record destruction within 30 days. You must wait two years after the substantiation to file, and two years after a denial to file again. People listed before July 1, 2025 have the same rights; the department must notify them, post steps online and in offices, and report yearly numbers by September 1.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Dennis Lenz
Republican • Senate
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/17/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 50 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/16/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 50 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/11/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 99 • No: 0
Senate vote • 4/10/2025
Do Concur
Yes: 99 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/6/2025
Do Pass
Yes: 47 • No: 2
Senate vote • 3/5/2025
AMD-SB0468.001.001 Lenz D/PASS
Yes: 48 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/5/2025
Do Pass As Amended
Yes: 44 • No: 6
Actions Timeline
Chapter Number Assigned
5/16/2025SenateSigned by Governor
5/13/2025SenateTransmitted to Governor
5/5/2025SenateSigned by Speaker
5/5/2025HouseSigned by President
4/29/2025SenateReturned from Enrolling
4/20/2025SenateSent to Enrolling
4/17/2025Senate3rd Reading Passed as Amended by House
4/17/2025Senate2nd Reading House Amendments Concurred
4/16/2025SenateReturned to Senate with Amendments
4/11/2025House3rd Reading Concurred
4/11/2025House2nd Reading Concurred
4/10/2025HouseFiscal Note Unsigned
4/3/2025SenateRevised Fiscal Note Received
4/3/2025SenateCommittee Report--Bill Concurred as Amended
3/29/2025HouseCommittee Executive Action--Bill Concurred as Amended
3/28/2025HouseRevised Fiscal Note Printed
3/24/2025SenateFiscal Note Unsigned
3/21/2025SenateHearing
3/19/2025HouseRevised Fiscal Note Received
3/18/2025SenateFirst Reading
3/17/2025HouseFiscal Note Printed
3/17/2025SenateReferred to Committee
3/17/2025HouseRevised Fiscal Note Requested
3/14/2025SenateFiscal Note Received
3/14/2025Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled
4/17/2025
As Amended (Version 3)
3/31/2025
As Amended (Version 2)
3/5/2025
Introduced
2/25/2025