Indian Child Welfare Act

Advocates in Montana are celebrating the United States Supreme Court ruling to uphold the federal Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA).

A bill creating guidelines for the removal and placement of Native American children in cases of adoption or foster care has been signed into law. Gov. Greg Gianforte signed a law tightening rules for public schools to teach about Native American history, traditions, language and culture. Yellowstone National Park law enforcement officers are investigating an incident last Saturday that resulted in the death of a newborn bison calf.

Montana’s American Indian Caucus passed some of their top priorities during the 2023 legislative session. Caucus members say that work took a lot of explaining about the issues their communities face.

A Lewis and Clark County District Court judge has struck down a decade-old law to require parental consent for minors under 16-years-old to obtain an abortion. And the Montana Indian Child Welfare Act has passed in the state’s House of Representatives with bipartisan support.

A bill to create a state-level Indian Child Welfare Act has passed out of committee with bipartisan support and will next be heard by Montana’s House of Representatives.

A bill to establish a state-level Indian Child Welfare Act in Montana was introduced this week This bill would build on a federal version of the policy.