Montana currently favors court records being public, as they are in Florida.

But privacy activists are seeking to limit public access to family court records, with the goal of protecting children.

At this time, proposals for restrictions are subject to public comment. The most extreme proposal would seal all family court records except final judgments.

Montana’s law librarian worries because parties without attorneys generally do not know how to apply what privacy protections are already available under Montana law.

Read more in this Washington Post article: Mont. Supreme Court considers access restrictions.