SB 318 Montana Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Generally revise child custody laws

SB 318 revises Montana's child custody laws to prioritize child safety in custody cases. It mandates that judges, standing masters, and guardians ad litem receive trauma-informed training on domestic violence, child abuse (including physical, sexual, and emotional abuse), and victim-perpetrator dynamics - requiring 20 hours of initial training and 15 hours every two years. The bill requires courts to consider domestic violence and child abuse allegations using valid evidence and strengthens protections for children by updating definitions and procedures in custody proceedings. These changes directly affect court personnel handling custody cases across Montana, aiming to improve how courts address abuse and ensure child safety. The bill also updates related statutes (e.g., Sections 3-1-1501, 40-4-205, MCA) to align with these new requirements.
Bill status died 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House Failed
Apr 2025
Governor
Introduced Feb 13, 2025 Last action May 23, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 3 comparisons

What changed between versions

SB0318_2(15).pdf SB0318_2(16).pdf · 1 edit
MINOR
The bill was amended to add three new sponsors (S. Demarois, S. Fyant, and J. Sooktis) to the original sponsor, D. Lenz. This change expands the legislative support for the bill but does not alter the substantive policy, scope, or requirements of the legislation itself.
TECHNICAL

Added three new sponsors (S. Demarois, S. Fyant, and J. Sooktis) to the bill's sponsorship list.

Floor votes · Senate Mar 20, 2025 · House Apr 23, 2025

How they voted

473
Passed
Total votes 50
Mar 20, 2025
D Democratic18
15 Yea 3 Nay
83% Yea
R Republican32
32 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
41
Key actions
7
Committee
9
Apr 23, 2025
Vote failed
House Vote: fail (45-54-1)
house
Apr 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Report - (H) Judiciary
lower
Apr 16, 2025
Lower · Passed
(H) Committee Executive Action - (H) Judiciary
lower
Mar 21, 2025
Committee
(H) Referred to Committee - (H) Judiciary
lower
Mar 20, 2025
Senate · Passed
Senate Vote: pass (47-3)
senate
Mar 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Report - (S) Finance and Claims
upper
Mar 19, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Finance and Claims
upper
Mar 3, 2025
Committee
(S) Rereferred to Committee - (S) Finance and Claims
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Report - (S) Judiciary
upper
Feb 27, 2025
Upper · Passed
(S) Committee Executive Action - (S) Judiciary
upper
Feb 14, 2025
Committee
(S) Referred to Committee - (S) Judiciary
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Introduced
(S) Introduced
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Dennis Lenz
Dennis Lenz
RRepublican
MT
25