Montana acts to protect Native American priority in adopting Native children

MATTHEW BROWN

Associated Press

BILLINGS - Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte has signed legislation giving Native American families preference in fostering and adopting Native children involved with child protective services, a proactive move to protect such rights as the U.S. Supreme Court considers a case that could undercut them nationally.

Gianforte signed Monday the Montana Indian Child Welfare Act, sponsored by Rep. Jonathan Windy Boy, D-Box Elder, after it passed the Legislature by a wide margin.

The Montana bill was amended by lawmakers to sunset after two years. Windy Boy said he initi...