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Bill would let caregivers who provided ongoing care present evidence in adjudications
Summary
Senate Bill 249 would remove a limitation that allows only relatives in abandonment cases to have evidence heard in child-adjudication proceedings, letting other caregivers (for example grandparents or others who provided continuity of care) present evidence to courts; opponents warned about discovery and confidentiality implications.
Sen. Dennis Lentz told the committee that Senate Bill 249 seeks to modernize adjudication rules in child-abuse and neglect cases so courts can consider evidence from people who previously provided care or stability for a child even where abandonment has not been alleged.
Proponents said the change would help courts make better permanency and treatment decisions. Kyla Hailstone, paralegal investigator for the Montana Family Court Awareness Project, described the bill as removing an "antiquated" barrier that prevents courts from hearing evidence about a…
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