# Mont. Code Ann. § 41-3-103: 41-3-103 Jurisdiction and venue

> Montana · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T41_C3_P1_S41-3-103

## Section

- **Citation:** Mont. Code Ann. § 41-3-103
- **Heading:** 41-3-103 Jurisdiction and venue
- **Jurisdiction:** Montana
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** MT Code / Title 41 / Chapter 3 / Part 1 / Section 41-3-103

## Text

41-3-103 . Jurisdiction and venue. (1) Except as provided in the federal Indian Child Welfare Act or the Montana Indian Child Welfare Act provided for in Title 41, chapter 3, part 13, in all matters arising under this chapter, a person is subject to a proceeding under this chapter and the district court has jurisdiction over:

(a) a youth who is within the state of Montana for any purpose;

(b) a youth or other person subject to this chapter who under a temporary or permanent order of the court has voluntarily or involuntarily left the state or the jurisdiction of the court;

(c) a person who is alleged to have abused or neglected a youth who is in the state of Montana for any purpose;

(d) a youth or youth's parent or guardian who resides in Montana;

(e) a youth or youth's parent or guardian who resided in Montana within 180 days before the filing of a petition under this chapter if the alleged abuse and neglect is alleged to have occurred in whole or in part in Montana.

(2) (a) Venue is proper in the county where a youth is located or has resided within 180 days before the filing of a petition under this part or a county where the youth's parent or guardian resides or has resided within 180 days before the filing of a petition under this part.

(b) Unless a case is approved for transfer to a tribal court or treatment court, a court may deny a motion to change venue either for good cause or if transferring venue will result in delaying a child's permanency.

## Nearby sections

- [Mont. Code Ann. § 41-3-101 41-3-101 Declaration of policy](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T41_C3_P1_S41-3-101.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 41-3-102 41-3-102 Definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T41_C3_P1_S41-3-102.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 41-3-103 41-3-103 Jurisdiction and venue](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T41_C3_P1_S41-3-103.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 41-3-106 41-3-106 Prosecution of offenders](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T41_C3_P1_S41-3-106.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 41-3-107 41-3-107 Interagency cooperation](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T41_C3_P1_S41-3-107.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 41-3-108 41-3-108 Child protective teams](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T41_C3_P1_S41-3-108.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 41-3-109 41-3-109 Proceedings subject to Indian Child Welfare Acts](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T41_C3_P1_S41-3-109.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 41-3-110 41-3-110 Audio or video testimony allowed](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T41_C3_P1_S41-3-110.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 41-3-112 41-3-112 Appointment of special advocate](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T41_C3_P1_S41-3-112.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 41-3-113 41-3-113 Appeals](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T41_C3_P1_S41-3-113.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 41-3-115 41-3-115 Foster care review committee -- foster care reviews -- permanency hearings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T41_C3_P1_S41-3-115.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 41-3-118 41-3-118 Purpose](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T41_C3_P1_S41-3-118.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 41-3-119 41-3-119 Foster parent counseling services](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T41_C3_P1_S41-3-119.md)
- [Mont. Code Ann. § 41-3-120 41-3-120 Liability insurance for foster parents](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T41_C3_P1_S41-3-120.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_MT_T41_C3_P1_S41-3-103. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.