{"id":96,"date":"2025-10-03T20:38:37","date_gmt":"2025-10-03T20:38:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/parentsrightsusa.org\/?page_id=96"},"modified":"2025-10-03T20:43:07","modified_gmt":"2025-10-03T20:43:07","slug":"montana-laws-guaranteeing-parents-rights-to-direct-their-childrens-mental-health","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/parentsrightsusa.org\/index.php\/montana-laws-guaranteeing-parents-rights-to-direct-their-childrens-mental-health\/","title":{"rendered":"Montana Laws Guaranteeing Parents&#8217; Rights to Direct Their Children&#8217;s Mental Health"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Montana has established comprehensive legal protections for parental authority over their children&#8217;s mental health care through several key statutes. Below are the primary laws with direct links that guarantee parents&#8217; rights to direct their children&#8217;s mental health:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Core Parental Rights Statutes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>1. Montana Code Annotated \u00a7 40-6-701 &#8211; Interference with Fundamental Parental Rights Restricted<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Link<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/bills\/mca\/title_0400\/chapter_0060\/part_0070\/section_0010\/0400-0060-0070-0010.html\">https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/bills\/mca\/title_0400\/chapter_0060\/part_0070\/section_0010\/0400-0060-0070-0010.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This foundational statute establishes that parents have the <strong>exclusive fundamental right<\/strong> to direct their children&#8217;s mental health. Key provisions include:<a><\/a><a href=\"#fn1\"><sup>[1]<\/sup><\/a><a><\/a><a href=\"#fn2\"><sup>[2]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Exclusive Authority<\/strong>: &#8220;All fundamental parental rights are exclusively reserved to the parent of a child without obstruction or interference by a government entity&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mental Health Decisions<\/strong>: Parents have the right to &#8220;make and consent to all physical and <strong>mental health care decisions<\/strong> for the child&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Strict Scrutiny Protection<\/strong>: Government entities may only interfere when they demonstrate a &#8220;compelling governmental interest&#8221; using &#8220;narrowly tailored&#8221; and &#8220;least restrictive means&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Information Access<\/strong>: Parents have the right to access &#8220;all health and medical records of the child&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Data Collection Rights<\/strong>: Parents can &#8220;opt the child out of any personal analysis, evaluation, survey, or data collection&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. Montana Code Annotated \u00a7 40-6-708 &#8211; Construction (Broad Protection Mandate)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Link<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/bills\/mca\/title_0400\/chapter_0060\/part_0070\/section_0080\/0400-0060-0070-0080.html\">https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/bills\/mca\/title_0400\/chapter_0060\/part_0070\/section_0080\/0400-0060-0070-0080.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This critical statute mandates that all parental rights laws must be <strong>construed in the broadest possible manner<\/strong>. Essential provisions:<a><\/a><a href=\"#fn1\"><sup>[1]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Inalienable Rights<\/strong>: &#8220;Parents have <strong>inalienable rights<\/strong> that are more comprehensive than those described in 40-6-701 or 40-6-703&#8243;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Broad Construction Requirement<\/strong>: These sections &#8220;<strong>must be construed in favor of a broad protection<\/strong> of the fundamental right of parents to direct the upbringing, education, health care, and <strong>mental health<\/strong> of their child&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Anti-Burden Provision<\/strong>: &#8220;Nothing in 40-6-701 or 40-6-703 may be construed to authorize a governmental entity to <strong>burden the fundamental right<\/strong> of parents to direct&#8230;mental health of their child&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Constitutional Protections<\/strong>: These rights are &#8220;in addition to the protections provided under federal law, other state laws, the United States constitution, and the Montana constitution&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. Montana Code Annotated \u00a7 40-6-702 &#8211; Medical Care for Children<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Link<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/bills\/mca\/title_0400\/chapter_0060\/part_0070\/section_0020\/0400-0060-0070-0020.html\">https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/bills\/mca\/title_0400\/chapter_0060\/part_0070\/section_0020\/0400-0060-0070-0020.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This statute provides specific prohibitions regarding mental health services without parental consent:<a><\/a><a href=\"#fn3\"><sup>[3]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Mental Health Evaluation Prohibition<\/strong>: No entity may &#8220;procure, solicit to perform, arrange to perform, or perform a <strong>mental health evaluation<\/strong> in a clinical or nonclinical setting on a child&#8221; without parental consent<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mental Health Treatment Prohibition<\/strong>: Mental health treatment cannot be provided without parental consent<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Emergency Exception Only<\/strong>: Limited exception only for emergencies &#8220;necessary to prevent death or imminent, irreparable physical injury&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>4. Montana Code Annotated \u00a7 40-6-703 &#8211; Parental Involvement in Education<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Link<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/bills\/mca\/title_0400\/chapter_0060\/part_0070\/section_0030\/0400-0060-0070-0030.html\">https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/bills\/mca\/title_0400\/chapter_0060\/part_0070\/section_0030\/0400-0060-0070-0030.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This law establishes parental authority over school-based mental health activities:<a><\/a><a href=\"#fn4\"><sup>[4]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Opt-Out Rights<\/strong>: Parents may &#8220;withdraw the parent&#8217;s child from instruction or presentations&#8230;that offend the parent&#8217;s beliefs or practices&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Extracurricular Control<\/strong>: Parents may &#8220;withdraw the parent&#8217;s child from any club or extracurricular activity&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Consent Requirements<\/strong>: Students must provide &#8220;signed parental permission form prior to participating in any school-sponsored club or extracurricular activity&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Information Access<\/strong>: Parents have procedures to &#8220;learn about parental rights and responsibilities under the laws of this state&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Supporting Legislation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5. House Bill 676 (2023) &#8211; Fundamental Parental Rights Act<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Link<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/legiscan.com\/MT\/text\/HB676\/id\/2797382\/Montana-2023-HB676-Enrolled.pdf\">https:\/\/legiscan.com\/MT\/text\/HB676\/id\/2797382\/Montana-2023-HB676-Enrolled.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This comprehensive 2023 law significantly strengthened parental mental health authority:<a><\/a><a href=\"#fn5\"><sup>[5]<\/sup><\/a><a><\/a><a href=\"#fn6\"><sup>[6]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Exclusive Rights<\/strong>: Established that fundamental parental rights are &#8220;exclusively reserved to the parent of a child&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mental Health Consent<\/strong>: Reinforced parental authority over &#8220;all physical and mental health care decisions&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Information Protection<\/strong>: Prohibited government entities from &#8220;encouraging or coercing a child to withhold information from a parent&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Broad Construction<\/strong>: Required these laws be &#8220;construed in favor of a broad protection of the fundamental right of parents&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>6. Senate Bill 518 (2023) &#8211; Enhanced Parental Educational Rights<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Link<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/legiscan.com\/MT\/text\/SB518\/id\/2800789\">https:\/\/legiscan.com\/MT\/text\/SB518\/id\/2800789<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This law expanded parental control over school-based mental health activities:<a><\/a><a href=\"#fn7\"><sup>[7]<\/sup><\/a><a><\/a><a href=\"#fn8\"><sup>[8]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Educational Records Access<\/strong>: Parents can &#8220;access and review all written and electronic educational records relating to the child&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Mental Health Information<\/strong>: Prohibited withholding &#8220;information relevant to their physical, emotional or <strong>mental health<\/strong>&#8220;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Extracurricular Oversight<\/strong>: Required parental notification and consent for activities that may impact mental health<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Broad Protection Mandate<\/strong>: Required construction &#8220;to favor broad protection of fundamental rights of parents&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>7. House Bill 599 (2025) &#8211; Enhanced Data Collection Rights<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Link<\/strong>: Referenced in search results as strengthening parental consent for mental health surveys<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This recent legislation enhanced parental control over mental health assessments:<a><\/a><a href=\"#fn9\"><sup>[9]<\/sup><\/a><a><\/a><a href=\"#fn10\"><sup>[10]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Survey Notification<\/strong>: Parents &#8220;must be notified of the right to opt out of any physical and mental health surveys and screenings&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Results Notification<\/strong>: Parents &#8220;must be notified of any issues or concerns resulting from a physical and mental health survey or screening&#8221;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Opt-In Requirements<\/strong>: For personally identifiable information, parents must actively consent<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Opt-Out Rights<\/strong>: Parents can remove children from any data collection activities<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Constitutional and Statutory Foundation<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>8. Montana Code Annotated Title 40, Chapter 6, Part 7 &#8211; Rights of Parents (Complete Section)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Link<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/bills\/mca\/title_0400\/chapter_0060\/part_0070\/sections_index.html\">https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/bills\/mca\/title_0400\/chapter_0060\/part_0070\/sections_index.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is the complete table of contents for Montana&#8217;s comprehensive parental rights framework:<a><\/a><a href=\"#fn11\"><sup>[11]<\/sup><\/a><a><\/a><a href=\"#fn12\"><sup>[12]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>40-6-701<\/strong>: Fundamental parental rights protection<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>40-6-702<\/strong>: Medical care consent requirements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>40-6-703<\/strong>: Educational involvement rights<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>40-6-708<\/strong>: Broad construction mandates<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>9. Montana Code Annotated \u00a7 53-21-112 &#8211; Voluntary Admission of Minors for Mental Health Services<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Link<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/bills\/mca\/title_0530\/chapter_0210\/part_0010\/section_0120\/0530-0210-0010-0120.html\">https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/bills\/mca\/title_0530\/chapter_0210\/part_0010\/section_0120\/0530-0210-0010-0120.html<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This statute governs formal mental health treatment consent:<a><\/a><a href=\"#fn13\"><sup>[13]<\/sup><\/a><a><\/a><a href=\"#fn14\"><sup>[14]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Parental Authority<\/strong>: Parents can consent to mental health services for their children<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Limited Minor Exception<\/strong>: Only minors <strong>16 and older<\/strong> may consent independently for voluntary mental health services<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Release Rights<\/strong>: Parents can request discharge of minors they admitted within 5 days<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Summary of Guaranteed Rights<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Montana law guarantees parents the following specific rights regarding their children&#8217;s mental health:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Exclusive Decision-Making Authority<\/strong> over all mental health care decisions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Consent Rights<\/strong> for any mental health evaluation, treatment, or service<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Information Access Rights<\/strong> to all mental health records and assessments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Opt-Out Rights<\/strong> from school-based mental health surveys, screenings, and data collection<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Notification Rights<\/strong> about any mental health concerns or findings<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Broad Legal Protection<\/strong> with strict scrutiny applied to any government interference<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Constitutional Protection<\/strong> as inalienable fundamental rights<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Educational Control<\/strong> over school-based mental health activities and curricula<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These laws collectively establish Montana as having some of the <strong>strongest parental rights protections<\/strong> in the United States regarding children&#8217;s mental health, with multiple overlapping statutes ensuring parents maintain primary authority over their children&#8217;s psychological welfare and treatment decisions.<a><\/a><a href=\"#fn15\"><sup>[15]<\/sup><\/a><a><\/a><a href=\"#fn1\"><sup>[1]<\/sup><\/a><br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u2042<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a id=\"fn1\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/bills\/mca\/title_0400\/chapter_0060\/part_0070\/section_0080\/0400-0060-0070-0080.html\">https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/bills\/mca\/title_0400\/chapter_0060\/part_0070\/section_0080\/0400-0060-0070-0080.html<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a id=\"fn2\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/bills\/mca\/title_0400\/chapter_0060\/part_0070\/section_0010\/0400-0060-0070-0010.html\">https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/bills\/mca\/title_0400\/chapter_0060\/part_0070\/section_0010\/0400-0060-0070-0010.html<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a id=\"fn3\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/bills\/mca\/title_0400\/chapter_0060\/part_0070\/section_0020\/0400-0060-0070-0020.html\">https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/bills\/mca\/title_0400\/chapter_0060\/part_0070\/section_0020\/0400-0060-0070-0020.html<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a id=\"fn4\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/bills\/mca\/title_0400\/chapter_0060\/part_0070\/section_0030\/0400-0060-0070-0030.html\">https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/bills\/mca\/title_0400\/chapter_0060\/part_0070\/section_0030\/0400-0060-0070-0030.html<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a id=\"fn5\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/legiscan.com\/MT\/text\/HB676\/id\/2797382\/Montana-2023-HB676-Enrolled.pdf\">https:\/\/legiscan.com\/MT\/text\/HB676\/id\/2797382\/Montana-2023-HB676-Enrolled.pdf<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a id=\"fn6\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/opi.mt.gov\/Portals\/182\/Page%20Files\/Parent%20Resources\/Community%20Meetings\/HB676%20Summary%20for%20Parents%20Meeting_9.20.23.pdf?ver=2023-09-15-102536-960\">https:\/\/opi.mt.gov\/Portals\/182\/Page Files\/Parent Resources\/Community Meetings\/HB676 Summary for Parents Meeting_9.20.23.pdf?ver=2023-09-15-102536-960<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a id=\"fn7\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/legiscan.com\/MT\/text\/SB518\/id\/2789426\/Montana-2023-SB518-Amended.pdf\">https:\/\/legiscan.com\/MT\/text\/SB518\/id\/2789426\/Montana-2023-SB518-Amended.pdf<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a id=\"fn8\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/manzellaformontana.com\/blog\/f\/parental-rights-in-education---sb518-2023\">https:\/\/manzellaformontana.com\/blog\/f\/parental-rights-in-education&#8212;sb518-2023<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a id=\"fn9\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/content\/Sessions\/69th\/Contractor_index\/CH0696.pdf\">https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/content\/Sessions\/69th\/Contractor_index\/CH0696.pdf<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a id=\"fn10\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/citizenportal.ai\/articles\/2363339\/Montana\/Montana-Legislature-passes-HB-599-enhancing-parental-rights-in-child-health-surveys\">https:\/\/citizenportal.ai\/articles\/2363339\/Montana\/Montana-Legislature-passes-HB-599-enhancing-parental-rights-in-child-health-surveys<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a id=\"fn11\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/law.justia.com\/codes\/montana\/title-40\/chapter-6\/part-7\/\">https:\/\/law.justia.com\/codes\/montana\/title-40\/chapter-6\/part-7\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a id=\"fn12\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/bills\/mca\/title_0400\/chapter_0060\/part_0070\/sections_index.html\">https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/bills\/mca\/title_0400\/chapter_0060\/part_0070\/sections_index.html<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a id=\"fn13\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/bills\/mca\/title_0530\/chapter_0210\/part_0010\/section_0120\/0530-0210-0010-0120.html\">https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/bills\/mca\/title_0530\/chapter_0210\/part_0010\/section_0120\/0530-0210-0010-0120.html<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a id=\"fn14\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/dphhs.mt.gov\/assets\/oig\/MCA_Mentally_Ill.pdf\">https:\/\/dphhs.mt.gov\/assets\/oig\/MCA_Mentally_Ill.pdf<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a id=\"fn15\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/parentalrights.org\/states-old\/mt\/\">https:\/\/parentalrights.org\/states-old\/mt\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.courthousenews.com\/montana-supreme-court-finds-parental-consent-law-unconstitutional\/\">https:\/\/www.courthousenews.com\/montana-supreme-court-finds-parental-consent-law-unconstitutional\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/bills\/mca\/title_0410\/chapter_0030\/part_0040\/section_0430\/0410-0030-0040-0430.html\">https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/bills\/mca\/title_0410\/chapter_0030\/part_0040\/section_0430\/0410-0030-0040-0430.html<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.supremecourt.gov\/DocketPDF\/24\/24-745\/336943\/20250110095656976_Petition%20for%20Writ.pdf\">https:\/\/www.supremecourt.gov\/DocketPDF\/24\/24-745\/336943\/20250110095656976_Petition for Writ.pdf<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dphhs.mt.gov\/assets\/cfsd\/cfsdmanual\/303-1.pdf\">https:\/\/dphhs.mt.gov\/assets\/cfsd\/cfsdmanual\/303-1.pdf<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/publicdefender.mt.gov\/FamilyDefense\/The-Montana-Standards-of-Practice-For-Attorneys-Representing-Parents-and-Children-in-Dependent-Neglect-Cases.pdf\">https:\/\/publicdefender.mt.gov\/FamilyDefense\/The-Montana-Standards-of-Practice-For-Attorneys-Representing-Parents-and-Children-in-Dependent-Neglect-Cases.pdf<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/youthlaw.org\/sites\/default\/files\/2024-10\/NCYLMinorConsentCompendium2024-Montana.pdf\">https:\/\/youthlaw.org\/sites\/default\/files\/2024-10\/NCYLMinorConsentCompendium2024-Montana.pdf<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC4393016\/\">https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC4393016\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/law.justia.com\/codes\/montana\/2021\/title-40\/chapter-6\/part-7\/section-40-6-701\/\">https:\/\/law.justia.com\/codes\/montana\/2021\/title-40\/chapter-6\/part-7\/section-40-6-701\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/bills\/mca\/title_0410\/chapter_0030\/part_0010\/section_0020\/0410-0030-0010-0020.html\">https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/bills\/mca\/title_0410\/chapter_0030\/part_0010\/section_0020\/0410-0030-0010-0020.html<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dphhs.mt.gov\/assets\/cfsd\/cfsdmanual\/201-1.pdf\">https:\/\/dphhs.mt.gov\/assets\/cfsd\/cfsdmanual\/201-1.pdf<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.childwelfare.gov\/resources\/definitions-child-abuse-and-neglect-montana\/\">https:\/\/www.childwelfare.gov\/resources\/definitions-child-abuse-and-neglect-montana\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/legiscan.com\/MT\/text\/SB299\/id\/3112948\/Montana-2025-SB299-Introduced.pdf\">https:\/\/legiscan.com\/MT\/text\/SB299\/id\/3112948\/Montana-2025-SB299-Introduced.pdf<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dphhs.mt.gov\/assets\/cfsd\/cfsdmanual\/302-1.pdf\">https:\/\/dphhs.mt.gov\/assets\/cfsd\/cfsdmanual\/302-1.pdf<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dphhs.mt.gov\/cfsd\/FamilyGuideInitialContacts\">https:\/\/dphhs.mt.gov\/cfsd\/FamilyGuideInitialContacts<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cases.justia.com\/montana\/supreme-court\/2024-da-23-0272-0.pdf?ts=1723656949\">https:\/\/cases.justia.com\/montana\/supreme-court\/2024-da-23-0272-0.pdf?ts=1723656949<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.womenslaw.org\/laws\/mt\/statutes\/40-4-212-best-interest-child\">https:\/\/www.womenslaw.org\/laws\/mt\/statutes\/40-4-212-best-interest-child<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/bills\/mca\/title_0400\/chapter_0060\/parts_index.html\">https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/bills\/mca\/title_0400\/chapter_0060\/parts_index.html<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/law.justia.com\/codes\/montana\/title-40\/chapter-6\/\">https:\/\/law.justia.com\/codes\/montana\/title-40\/chapter-6\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/opi.mt.gov\/Portals\/182\/Page%20Files\/Parent%20Resources\/Community%20Meetings\/SB%20518%20Summary%20for%20Parents%20Meeting_9.20.23%20.pdf?ver=2023-09-15-102536-977\">https:\/\/opi.mt.gov\/Portals\/182\/Page Files\/Parent Resources\/Community Meetings\/SB 518 Summary for Parents Meeting_9.20.23 .pdf?ver=2023-09-15-102536-977<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.womenslaw.org\/laws\/mt\/statutes\/part-6-parent-child-legal-relationship-termination\">https:\/\/www.womenslaw.org\/laws\/mt\/statutes\/part-6-parent-child-legal-relationship-termination<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov\/_docs\/mca\/2019-MCA-Title-50-Ch-15-FNR---Vital-Statistics.pdf\">https:\/\/boards.bsd.dli.mt.gov\/_docs\/mca\/2019-MCA-Title-50-Ch-15-FNR&#8212;Vital-Statistics.pdf<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/nbcmontana.com\/news\/local\/parental-rights-in-school-bill-gets-house-hearing\">https:\/\/nbcmontana.com\/news\/local\/parental-rights-in-school-bill-gets-house-hearing<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/bills\/2023\/BillHtml\/LC1880.htm\">https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/bills\/2023\/BillHtml\/LC1880.htm<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/flatheadbeacon.com\/2023\/09\/22\/montana-parental-rights-laws-arntzen\/\">https:\/\/flatheadbeacon.com\/2023\/09\/22\/montana-parental-rights-laws-arntzen\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/dphhs.mt.gov\/assets\/publichealth\/SchoolHealth\/SchoolRules\/ParentalConsentInSchoolsInfoSheet.pdf\">https:\/\/dphhs.mt.gov\/assets\/publichealth\/SchoolHealth\/SchoolRules\/ParentalConsentInSchoolsInfoSheet.pdf<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/bills\/2023\/SB0599\/SB0518_1.pdf\">https:\/\/archive.legmt.gov\/bills\/2023\/SB0599\/SB0518_1.pdf<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/civilrighttocounsel.org\/major_developments\/right-to-counsel-247\/\">https:\/\/civilrighttocounsel.org\/major_developments\/right-to-counsel-247\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/legiscan.com\/MT\/text\/SB518\/id\/2800789\">https:\/\/legiscan.com\/MT\/text\/SB518\/id\/2800789<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.montanalawhelp.org\/resource\/parental-rights-termination-montana-faq\">https:\/\/www.montanalawhelp.org\/resource\/parental-rights-termination-montana-faq<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bkbh.com\/what-is-parenting-time-and-how-is-it-determined-in-montana\/\">https:\/\/www.bkbh.com\/what-is-parenting-time-and-how-is-it-determined-in-montana\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/apps.montanafreepress.org\/capitol-tracker-2023\/bills\/sb-518\/\">https:\/\/apps.montanafreepress.org\/capitol-tracker-2023\/bills\/sb-518\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/fastdemocracy.com\/bill-search\/mt\/2023\/bills\/MTB00010616\/\">https:\/\/fastdemocracy.com\/bill-search\/mt\/2023\/bills\/MTB00010616\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Montana has established comprehensive legal protections for parental authority over their children&#8217;s mental health care through several key statutes. Below are the primary laws with direct links that guarantee parents&#8217; rights to direct their children&#8217;s mental health: Core Parental Rights Statutes 1. Montana Code Annotated \u00a7 40-6-701 &#8211; Interference with Fundamental Parental Rights Restricted Link: [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"fullwidth.php","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-96","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Montana Laws Guaranteeing Parents&#039; Rights to Direct Their Children&#039;s Mental Health - Parents&#039; Rights USA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/parentsrightsusa.org\/index.php\/montana-laws-guaranteeing-parents-rights-to-direct-their-childrens-mental-health\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Montana Laws Guaranteeing Parents&#039; Rights to Direct Their Children&#039;s Mental Health - Parents&#039; Rights USA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Montana has established comprehensive legal protections for parental authority over their children&#8217;s mental health care through several key statutes. Below are the primary laws with direct links that guarantee parents&#8217; rights to direct their children&#8217;s mental health: Core Parental Rights Statutes 1. Montana Code Annotated \u00a7 40-6-701 &#8211; Interference with Fundamental Parental Rights Restricted Link: [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/parentsrightsusa.org\/index.php\/montana-laws-guaranteeing-parents-rights-to-direct-their-childrens-mental-health\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Parents&#039; Rights USA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-10-03T20:43:07+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/parentsrightsusa.org\/index.php\/montana-laws-guaranteeing-parents-rights-to-direct-their-childrens-mental-health\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/parentsrightsusa.org\/index.php\/montana-laws-guaranteeing-parents-rights-to-direct-their-childrens-mental-health\/\",\"name\":\"Montana Laws Guaranteeing Parents' Rights to Direct Their Children's Mental Health - Parents&#039; Rights USA\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/parentsrightsusa.org\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2025-10-03T20:38:37+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-10-03T20:43:07+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/parentsrightsusa.org\/index.php\/montana-laws-guaranteeing-parents-rights-to-direct-their-childrens-mental-health\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/parentsrightsusa.org\/index.php\/montana-laws-guaranteeing-parents-rights-to-direct-their-childrens-mental-health\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/parentsrightsusa.org\/index.php\/montana-laws-guaranteeing-parents-rights-to-direct-their-childrens-mental-health\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/parentsrightsusa.org\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Montana Laws Guaranteeing Parents&#8217; Rights to Direct Their Children&#8217;s Mental Health\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/parentsrightsusa.org\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/parentsrightsusa.org\/\",\"name\":\"Parents&#039; Rights USA\",\"description\":\"Find what laws your state has for Parent&#039;s Rights\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/parentsrightsusa.org\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Montana Laws Guaranteeing Parents' Rights to Direct Their Children's Mental Health - Parents&#039; Rights USA","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/parentsrightsusa.org\/index.php\/montana-laws-guaranteeing-parents-rights-to-direct-their-childrens-mental-health\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Montana Laws Guaranteeing Parents' Rights to Direct Their Children's Mental Health - Parents&#039; Rights USA","og_description":"Montana has established comprehensive legal protections for parental authority over their children&#8217;s mental health care through several key statutes. 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Montana Code Annotated \u00a7 40-6-701 &#8211; Interference with Fundamental Parental Rights Restricted Link: [&hellip;]","og_url":"https:\/\/parentsrightsusa.org\/index.php\/montana-laws-guaranteeing-parents-rights-to-direct-their-childrens-mental-health\/","og_site_name":"Parents&#039; Rights USA","article_modified_time":"2025-10-03T20:43:07+00:00","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/parentsrightsusa.org\/index.php\/montana-laws-guaranteeing-parents-rights-to-direct-their-childrens-mental-health\/","url":"https:\/\/parentsrightsusa.org\/index.php\/montana-laws-guaranteeing-parents-rights-to-direct-their-childrens-mental-health\/","name":"Montana Laws Guaranteeing Parents' Rights to Direct Their Children's Mental Health - Parents&#039; Rights USA","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/parentsrightsusa.org\/#website"},"datePublished":"2025-10-03T20:38:37+00:00","dateModified":"2025-10-03T20:43:07+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/parentsrightsusa.org\/index.php\/montana-laws-guaranteeing-parents-rights-to-direct-their-childrens-mental-health\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/parentsrightsusa.org\/index.php\/montana-laws-guaranteeing-parents-rights-to-direct-their-childrens-mental-health\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/parentsrightsusa.org\/index.php\/montana-laws-guaranteeing-parents-rights-to-direct-their-childrens-mental-health\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/parentsrightsusa.org\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Montana Laws Guaranteeing Parents&#8217; Rights to Direct Their Children&#8217;s Mental Health"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/parentsrightsusa.org\/#website","url":"https:\/\/parentsrightsusa.org\/","name":"Parents&#039; Rights USA","description":"Find what laws your state has for Parent&#039;s Rights","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/parentsrightsusa.org\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/parentsrightsusa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/96","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/parentsrightsusa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/parentsrightsusa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/parentsrightsusa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/parentsrightsusa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=96"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/parentsrightsusa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/96\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":97,"href":"https:\/\/parentsrightsusa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/96\/revisions\/97"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/parentsrightsusa.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=96"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}