Montana bill would add 'culture and heritage' to custody best‑interest factors

Senator Susan Weber opened a hearing on Senate Bill 180 on behalf of the House Committee on Health and Human Services, saying the bill would add consideration of a child’s “culture and heritage” to the list of factors courts use to determine parenting plans in divorce cases.

Weber told the committee SB 180 grew out of cases in her district and said the change would apply to “children of divorce” rather than children in foster care covered by the Indian Child Welfare Act. “All this wording but really that's the meat of the bill is to consider the culture and heritage of the child,” Weber said.

Supporters, including tribal and early‑childhood groups, told the committee the change would help judges recognize children who have Native ancestry but are not enrolled tribal members. Alyssa Snow, who said she represents the Blackfeet, Fort Belknap and Chippewa Cree communities, said current…