Lawmakers set to debate child welfare reforms

Mara Silvers

Montana Free Press

After six months of study, state lawmakers are set to debate a draft bill this week that could bring significant reforms to Montana’s child welfare system — changes some lawmakers and legal observers say are long overdue.

The bill, drafted by Rep. Danny Tenenbaum, D-Missoula, has been under development by the bipartisan Children, Families, Health, and Human Services Interim Committee since May. If the committee advances the bill at its Friday meeting, it will be introduced for official consideration during the upcoming 2023 Legislature.

Montana has on...