Montana § 41-3-1320 - Evidentiary Requirements

§ 41-3-1320. Evidentiary Requirements

Evidentiary requirements. (1) A court may not order a foster care placement of an Indian child unless: (a) the petitioning party has provided clear and convincing evidence that active efforts were made to provide remedial services and rehabilitative programs to prevent the breakup of an Indian family and that the efforts were unsuccessful; and (b) clear and convincing evidence is presented, including the testimony of one or more qualified expert witnesses, to demonstrate that continued custody by the child's parent or Indian custodian is likely to result in serious emotional or physical damage to the child. (2) The court may not terminate parental rights of the parents of an Indian child unless evidence beyond a reasonable doubt is presented that: (a) active efforts were made to prevent the breakup of the Indian family and the efforts were unsuccessful; and (b) continued custody of the child by the child's parent or Indian custodian is likely to result in serious emotional or physical damage to the child. The evidence must include testimony of one or more qualified expert witnesses. (3) (a) Evidence required under this section must show a causal relationship between the specific conditions in the home and the likelihood that continued custody of the child will result in serious emotional or physical damage to the child who is the subject of the child custody proceeding. (b) Evidence showing only the existence of community or family poverty, isolation, single parenthood, custodian age, crowded or inadequate housing, substance abuse, or nonconforming social behavior does not by itself constitute clear and convincing evidence or evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that continued custody is likely to result in serious emotional or physical damage to the child.