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Senate committee backs bill to extend and strengthen Montana Indian Child Welfare protections
Summary
Senate Bill 147 would codify additional protections for Indian children in foster care, remove a June 2025 sunset, require cultural compacts and tribal consultation on permanency plans, and raise evidentiary standards for removals; the committee recommended the bill do pass after extended debate.
Senate Bill 147, introduced and presented in committee by Senator Wendy Boyce, would revise Montana's Indian Child Welfare framework by removing a scheduled sunset date, adding requirements for cultural compacts, raising standards for emergency removal and qualified expert testimony, and requiring consultation with a child's tribe on permanency plans. The Senate committee of the whole recommended the bill do pass after extended debate.
Supporters said the bill strengthens state protections for Indian children beyond federal baseline protections, formalizes procedures to promote cultural continuity, and clarifies placement and guardianship rules. Senator Wendy Boyce told the committee the bill…
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