If Trans Legislators Can See the Full CPS File on the Kolstads’ Daughter, Why Can’t the Kolstads?

In August 2023, Montana CPS workers ripped Todd and Krista Kolstad’s 14-year-old daughter away—all because the Kolstads stood firm in their religious beliefs and rejected transgender ideology. For background, see this ruling on the family’s motion to dismiss. But that wasn’t enough for the state. CPS then filed a false affidavit in court to justify the seizure. When the Kolstads spoke out, a state judge threatened to jail them for daring to defend their daughter.

But the Kolstads wouldn’t be silenced. Their courage led to Governor Greg Gianforte and Lt. Governor Kristen Juras smearing them on social media. Less than a week later, the Kolstads’ daughter was shipped off to live with her biological mother in Canada, despite the Kolstads raising concerns about past mistreatment.

And now this. As reported by the Daily Montanan on Tuesday:

“[Bill] Mercer, a member of the Montana House of Representatives, has introduced House Bill 690, which would change state law so that parents would not be entitled to those documents, but lawmakers could still see them.”

Glasgow couple halts court case centering on DPHHS taking their child as legislation moves forward. March 18, 2025. By Darrell Ehrlick.

Read that again. Under HB 690, all 150 Montana legislators—including radical leftists who openly hate Christian conservatives—could see “privileged” CPS documents. But not the Kolstads. Not the parents whose family was torn apart.

And what exactly are these “privileged” documents? CPS claims they include emails and letters from Lt. Governor Juras, Gianforte’s general counsel Anita Milanovich, and DPHHS Communications Director Jon Ebelt. So why are all these political operatives “clients”? And why is Montana’s GOP leadership so hellbent on keeping these documents out of the Kolstads’ hands? What are they hiding?

The Real Betrayal

HB 690 is even more appalling when you consider how it started. Rep. Mercer betrayed the Kolstads’ trust. He gained access to their CPS file by asking them last spring for a written release—which they trustingly provided. Now that he’s seen it all, including the so-called “privileged” documents, Mercer wants to slam the door shut to keep the Kolstads from ever seeing those same “privileged” documents.

And who else could access this information?

Let’s talk about Rep. Zooey Zephyr—a dude in a dress who defamed the Kolstads on the House floor just two weeks ago during the HB 690 debate. On March 6, 2025, he had the audacity to say:

“I know the case that the representative is talking about and it is one of the rare instances in which I found myself in agreement with the Governor’s office who said CPS acted appropriately in that instance.”

It’s Montana’s version of the horseshoe theory of politics—the hardcore woke Left joining with the fake “Christian” “conservatives” to coverup the destruction of the Kolstad family.

So, to reiterate: HB 690 would give radical, anti-Christian legislators like Zephyr full access to the Kolstad file—ammunition he can use to further defame and attack this Christian family. But the Kolstads themselves? Shut out.

Killing HB 690 Isn’t the Answer—We Must FIX It

At first glance, it seems like killing HB 690 would be the obvious move. But Mercer slipped in a provision aimed at protecting parents from having their kids seized for opposing transgenderism. That’s a great provision, but it has also been the shiny object distracting everyone while the real threat lurks in the fine print: a provision that shields documents showing just how malevolent the Gianforte Administration was in destroying the Kolstad family.

The Kolstads have a better plan: The Parental Access Amendment

Instead of killing HB 690, the Kolstads are asking Montana’s conservatives, Christians, and liberty-minded citizens to beat the Left—and their GOP enablers—at their own game. On April 2, we’ll ask the Senate Judiciary Committee to amend HB 690 with the Parental Access Amendment. This amendment would be inserted on page 16 of the bill and would guarantee that parents have the same access to all CPS documents as legislators do. Its text is highlighted in red and can be found here.

Take Action Now

We need every Montana conservative, Christian, and defender of parental rights to contact the Republicans on the Senate Judiciary Committee. Don’t waste your breath on the Democrats—they’re totally on board with the idea that parents’ opposition to transgenderism justifies CPS ripping their kids away.

It’s time to stand with the Kolstads. Demand that HB 690 be amended to protect parental rights and expose the truth. Join us in Helena on April 2 and let your voice be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee. In the meantime, tell the Senate Judiciary Republicans to support the Parental Access Amendment to HB 690:

Chair Barry Usher:
[email protected]

Vice Chair Vince Ricci:
[email protected]

Senator Daniel Emrich
[email protected]

Senator Gayle Lammers
[email protected]

Senator Theresa Manzella
[email protected]

Senator Sue Vinton
[email protected]

Editors note: This op-ed was adapted from a Facebook post shared by Matthew Monforton.