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Read. Follow. Verify.Montana SB 229 prohibits child removal under temporary investigative authority
Last action · May 23, 2025: (S) Died in ProcessSponsor: Daniel Emrich
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What This Bill Proposed
Senate Bill 229 prohibits the Department of Public Health and Human Services from removing a child from their home under in child abuse and neglect cases, restricting such orders to a maximum of 90 days. To seek removal outside of immediate emergency provisions, the department must instead petition the court for immediate protection and .
Changes investigative protocols for child welfare workers by legally separating the temporary authority to investigate from the power to remove a child, requiring a separate court petition for .
- Senate Bill 229 was introduced in the 69th Montana Legislature by Senator Daniel Emrich. context
Who It Would Have Affected
Groups the bill's text would have affected, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Department of Public Health and Human Services
The department's legal authority during child abuse and neglect investigations is restricted by prohibiting child removal under temporary investigative orders.
Children and families involved in child abuse and neglect proceedings
Families are protected from child removal under temporary investigative authority orders, requiring the state to use separate emergency protective service petitions.
Key Facts
You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Department of Public Health and Human Services remove a child under temporary investigative authority?
How long can an order for temporary investigative authority last?
What must the department do if it needs to remove a child outside of immediate removal rules?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
This bill did not become law - Died in committee.
Procedural history
17 actions- May 23, 2025Senate(S) Died in Process
- Mar 12, 2025Senate(S) Missed Deadline for General Bill Transmittal
- Feb 5, 2025SenateCommittee(S) Tabled in Committee
- Jan 30, 2025Senate(S) Hearing
- Jan 29, 2025SenateCommittee(S) Referred to Committee
- Jan 29, 2025Senate(S) 1st Reading
Show 11 earlier actions
- Jan 28, 2025SenateIntroduced(S) Introduced
- Jan 28, 2025House(LC) Draft Delivered to Requester
- Jan 25, 2025House(LC) Draft Ready for Delivery
- Jan 24, 2025House(LC) Draft in Assembly
- Jan 24, 2025House(LC) Draft in Final Drafter Review
- Jan 23, 2025House(LC) Draft in Input/Proofing
- Jan 23, 2025House(LC) Draft in Edit
- Jan 22, 2025House(LC) Draft in Legal Review
- Dec 5, 2024House(LC) Draft Taken Off Hold
- Dec 3, 2024House(LC) Draft On Hold
- Nov 22, 2024House(LC) Drafter Assigned
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
bills.legmt.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance20Lowered because this bill did not pass (its text scored 65)
- Controversy50Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz20Current news / social attention level
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